Monday Morning Mar 31st

 Well this month just flew by and now there is just one whole month between when we leave for the cabin at the end of May, wow I am ready for a change in landscape but will miss many things here, especially pickle ball daily, oh well. I'll have many up and down the yards with its hill and valleys that should help keep me in shape as well as some hiking the mountains occasionally.

I started Sunday with a sleep in until nearly 6 o'clock for a change as we were up late the night before. We did our usual morning routines that begin with some quiet moments to honor my lord, Jesus and to give thanks for another day as well as to lift several up for comfort and healing. Sister Dee and Mike broke down yesterday morning on their way back to Virginia pulling their camper some where north of Tampa but was able to get a wrecker to tow them for repairs and to a camper park for the night and possibly a day or so while their truck is repaired. Keep them in your thoughts and prayers that all goes well.

We watched Cornerstone Chapel on line before heading out to our local S.R.B.C. for the 10:30 service and worked the side door as greeters welcoming folks to the church which we love doing. After the service we met up with friends and neighbors at Culver's for Walleye Pike  fish which Nancy and I both love and saw where several of our church family was in attendance as well as an old church member was there and came over to greet us.

The food was delicious and plentiful and it held us the rest of the day and evening. I chilled watching the March madness basketball games until 8'ish then read and watched some ALONE on the bedroom TV. I forgot to mention Amy came by in the late afternoon and I loaded her up with lettuces and kale and then hand watered, despite we did get some rain over night, but the hot sun and stiff breeze soon dried out the soil and the new sod in the back yard. It was lights out at 10 for me, LATER

Sunday Morning March 30th

Well its hot again and it was evident at the ball field in Brandon yesterday at the twins game and several blood relatives came to watch it as well. More on that later, but we had a good time watching them play and Huck had two hits and fielded several ground balls as well. Ryder is in a slump as he is some what afraid of the ball and strikes out each time, but does well in the field. The game ended in a tie so there were no losers on this day.

I started the morning much the usual with my 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 and all seem to be holding with this post. We headed out a little before 10 for the 11o'clock game and while the interstates were jammed packed we made it in plenty of time for the start. Sister/cousin Dee and her daughter(Kelly) and two of her kids came to the game and we got to visit with them as well as cousin Tammy and Rich came, who live about an hour south of Tampa. Dee and Mike head back to Woodstock this morning after being here for two weeks over spring break with their 3 grands family here, while their dad, Jordan serves in the USAF. It was a good reunion between myself and these two first cousins. I'm the oldest of all the cousins and more of a brother to Dee as her folks(Billy and JoAnn) took me in as kid and raised me before either of her and her two older sisters were born. Tammy's dad(Lawson or better known as Junior) was my bio mom(Georgeanna) younger brother. All of those siblings are now deceased. I guess I'm next in line if you go by ages of which I'm the oldest at 78, oh well.

We met up at Bobby's house after the game to cool off and have a bite of lunch which Bobby picked up subs for us before we headed out to Seminole via the crosstown toll road. Traffic was heavy even on it and the drive was uneventful. We got back around 3'ish and settled into some March Madness basketball, both  girls and boys until it was time for a shower and some horizontal lab for me around 10'ish.

Today it corporate worship day, both here on line and in person at our local church where we will serve once again as greeters at one of the doors. We love meeting and greeting and welcoming folks to the worship services, LATER

Saturday Morning Mar 29th

 Well Friday was the start of the high heat coming back into the area with more humidity, but still the early morning and late evenings was quite pleasant to be out and about.  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 to the Rec after picking a couple of green tomato's and cutting a nice large head of romaine lettuce for a Canadian couple who I have befriended on the pickle ball courts and who in return brought me a fresh baked loaf of sour dough bread last week. We seem to have a real barter going on and we have now chosen sour dough as our bread of choice even before she offered a loaf in exchange for the veggies. I got in a good hour and half of play before so many were waiting it was no longer good to win because all 4 players had to exit the courts, anyhow I was whupped after playing a couple hours each of the last 5 days this week. I'll sure miss this game when we head out to the cabin in about 8 weeks.

I came back and piddled around in the gardens and yards hand watering and then harvesting lots of leafy greens and cleaning them for the salad bowl while Nancy was at her doctor's check up appointment. We were taking a large fresh garden salad to the Nymark's at 5:30 for supper and cards. The food was delicious with a couple of pizza and lots of finger foods and then we settled into actually 2 games of hand, knee and foot. The guys were so far ahead in the third round of the first game the gals conceded and wanted to start a second game. Well they were far ahead until the last round when we guys came from behind and blew them out of the water and again it was so bad for them we never even counted up the score. It was going on 10 when we decided to head home and we dropped off the Botbyl's.

I soon hit the shower and was ready for some horizontal lab as it was past my bedtime. Today we head over to Brandon and then Plant city to watch first the twins and then Gabe's baseball games, LATER

Friday Morning Mar 28th

Well Thursday was another nice day with temps some what hotter but not unbearable as of yet and some humidity, but by late evening Nancy had a jacket on at Ava's flag football which by the way they won again in a close match.

I started the day with my usual 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. I headed out before 7 to the Rec for close two hours of good pickle ball play and left with a wet head, shirt and some what whupped. Nancy was waiting for the truck as she headed out shortly there after to her Bible Class at church. I worked outside in the gardens and yards mainly hand watering and then I caught up on whats happening in the world and in America.

So sad to see the LEFT in America taking up for criminals who are here illegal and disrupting folks lives with murdering, raping and just harming people with their evil minds and hearts and to think there is a religion that preaches killing folks who do not adhere to their way of thinking; is just diabolical, and yet that religion is taking over many countries and even becoming prevalent here in America. Its insane and with the last 4 years of a leaderless country that is what has happened; but that is changing with POTUS Trump and we are starting to see some great changes for the nation. There is still much division perpetrated by the corrupt MSM and the radicals on the LEFT who have some how been elected to congress, as well as appointed to the judiciary, but hopefully America wakes up and votes them out next election.

Not much else was on the agenda for the day except attending Keswick School to watch Ava and her team play against a school they beat badly a couple weeks ago, but they showed up with a different bunch of players and it was a tie game with about 5 minutes or so to go in the game. Well our team perked up and we scored twice within that period and won again. It was 8:30 before getting home and it was shower time and then some March Madness where the team from Florida beat out Maryland and then the Lightning whupped Utah big as well in hockey. 

Today Friday its over to the world traveling Nymark's who just got back from another cruise to play cards along with the Botbyl's and then on Saturday its to Tampa for the twins and Gabe's baseball games. Another busy weekend, LATER

Thursday Morning Mar 27th

 Well the heat is back but with a little humidity, but not terrible yet and yes we have the a/c on now and will probably until we leave for the cabin the end of May. I'm getting excited just thinking about a change in altitude from this flat land to some mountains, hills and lots of trees, oh well and of course old friends we have made over the years. It will be different knowing our"mountain mom" Helen is gone but within the presence of the lord.

I started the morning with my usual before 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. We had sister Dee and hubby Mike and their pup Sophie coming in the afternoon for cards and supper of which we each won a round of cards but the gals had the most points. I grilled a fresh salmon filet which was excellent along with some rice pilaf and home grown beets  all accompanied by a garden fresh salad. Later after digesting for an hour we had some home made banana pudding which was excellent as well. A fav of everyone but Nancy who made it especially for us.

I headed out to the Rec at 7'ish for a good 2 hours of pickle ball play with mainly good players and left with a wet head and shirt. I sure wish I could drop a few inches off this spare tire but at least I'm getting plenty of exercise on the court and building back my stamina for the work coming up this summer in the mountains. I made a stop at the library for a couple new reads as well before heading home to work in the yards and gardens mainly hand watering both.

I did harvest 3 nice beets and got them ready for the pot for our early supper around 4'ish and later harvested two nice messes of kale for Dee and Mike to give to Kelly, their daughter and family as well as a mess for a friend at church later in the evening. Dee and Mike left around 6 and then w got ready to head to our Wednesday evening service at our church which was mainly about the Brazil mission trip that took 6 teens there for the first time. After the worship music they talked about their experiences and how it changed them and their love for the folks in that area of the world where Christ is becoming known with missionaries that our church supports.

We got back around 8:30 and it was shower time for me and then some ALONE on the TV before lights out at 10, LATER

Wednesday Morning Mar 26th

 Well here we are in the last week of March and with it the heat and humidity is starting to return after a couple of really nice days with a chill in the air to start the days and then returned over night. Its just the opposite now in the mountains as they are looking forward to some warmth during the day. I started the day with my usual 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 around 7 for the Rec for two hours of pickle ball play with all experienced A players. I managed to win all but one match with different partners and left after two hours with a wet head and shirt. I'm getting my stamina back and I'm so thankful after being down for weeks a couple months ago with such pain in the leg and back. Thank You Lord for the healing. I came back as Nancy was getting ready to head out to give blood after fasting and then some shopping as we are entertaining my youngest sister(cousin) Dee and her hubby Mike for an afternoon of visiting and some card playing as well as a fresh salmon supper. They are down from Woodstock, Va. to visit with their youngest daughter Kelly and family in the Tampa Bay area for a couple of weeks. They towed their camper with them to stay near the family.

I piddled around outside hand watering the gardens and the new sod which is growing and looking great. The cucumber have really taken off and we should have fruit in a couple of days as they are loaded with blooms. My one couple from Canada whom I play pickle ball with blessed me with a home made load of sourdough bread for all the veggies I share with them. It smelled so delicious on the way home from the Rec I had to have a piece with butter as it was still warm from her baking it at 5 AM. Delicious to say the least and we had it toasted for our leftover meatloaf sandwiches for lunch.

I watched the war in Israel on You Tube and some of the congressional hearing during the afternoon up until supper time which was cleaning up the last of the leftovers which was broccoli, smashed tatters, a chicken breast and black beans and rice. Not a lot of either but just enough to satisfy us for the evening after a huge meatloaf sandwich for a late lunch. We watched Fox and Newsmax channels for the evening news until 8'ish when I headed for the shower and then some ALONE time on the bedroom TV until lights out at 10 for me, LATER

Tuesday Morning Mar 25th

Well Monday was another great day temp wise but some humidity moved into the area and so Nancy put the a/c back on for the first time is several days. There was a high ceiling of clouds which looked like rain but none fell. I started the day with my usual before 5:30 rollout to some quiet times to honor my lord, JESUS, give thanks for another day and to lift up several by name for comfort and healing, all seem to be holding with this post.

 I headed out in the truck to the Rec around 7'ish and got in two full hours of pickle ball play as my stamina is returning and I won every match with different partners. Its mostly intermediates except for a couple of us players who are there on MWF but T&Th its quite different, with mostly all A players and I so look forward to the challenges. I really like helping the teaching and coaching of the less experienced players as well, but mainly I'm there for the workout and exercise.

I piddled around in the gardens and yards harvesting a few tomato's as well as hand watering both the gardens and the new sod which is showing lots of colors and a few runners are developing. Hopefully by the time we leave the end of May the area of the old oak will be covered in grass. Nancy took off to run shopping errands so I finished the DeMille read titled BLOOD LINES which was an excellent read with lots of twists and turns. I'll stop at the library for a new read tomorrow in hopes the two I ordered will soon be here.

Not much else to report except the vile democrat activist judges are doing everything they can to stop Trump from succeeding in his agenda to make America great again. Its totally unAmerican and I sure hope the voters in the next election cycle remember that party is evil, corrupt and totally out of touch with their insanity and radical agendas to destroy US(A) from within. Its bad enough the foreign enemies of Israel and US(A) are out there as well, but the domestic terrorists are prevalent with ideological insanity of now destroying electric vehicles which they promoted in their bias new green deal. I really believe they are being paid by George Sorus to hinder everything Trump and his partners are doing to make US(A) prosperous and safe by rooting out waste fraud and abuse of our tax dollars and securing the borders. They want a globalist agenda and Trump is a nationalist.

After a supper of broccoli, left over peppers and onions with brats we settled into the Fox and Newsmax networks for the real stories of the day and I watched the news conference with Trump and his cabinet earlier in the day. Praise GOD we now have a POTUS who loves America and her patriots and wants only to MAGA instead of the low life corrupt last administration. The more that is uncovered in how they did their best to leave this nation in debt with their woke agenda it becomes every more how evil and corrupt they were as they promoted everything that was evil and vile and now they are promoting violence once again in the congress by some radical folks, its despicable, LATER

Monday Morning Mar 24th

 Well Sunday started out on the chilly side and stayed very comfortable all day long with no a/c on once again, wow, so unusual for this time of the year as it closing in on April when it really gets hot and muggy. So far we love this weather and so does the gardens. I started the day with my usual rollout around 5:30, I just can not sleep in much past that time, but I usually hit the sack around 10'ish so I'm getting 7 to 8 hours of rest which seems to be all I need, even when I work out here at the house. I'm excited about the thought of getting in some real work at the cabin and of course everything I do is up or down hill there, whereas everything here is flat. We head out around the last weekend in May and that is coming quickly.

I did my usual routines that begin with some reading from a devotion book before actually lifting up several by name for comfort and healing to the lord, JESUS. All seem to be holding with this post. We watched Cornerstone Chapel with Gary Hamrick at 8:15 on line before heading to S.R.B.C. for our weekly corporate worship with pastor Derek at 10:30 and we worked the side door greeting many with smiles, hugs and handshakes and even got to know a few more attendees and their stories. We so enjoy this part of sharing our lives with lovers of the Lord who attend there. After the service we came home as one couple we usually eat out with left for Missouri for the summer and the other couple our neighbors, had their grand daughter and dog to care for while her parents were on a cruise. We had tons of leftovers so lunch and supper was no issue.

I hand watered the gardens then settled into the next 8 hours of watching March Madness basketball on several different channels and saw some great basketball played by both the boys and girls. The Florida team survived to play again in the sweet 16 group but it was a nail biter. Most games were very competitive and it went on until late at night. I gave up the TV at 8 to Nancy to watch her HGTV shows and read until 10'ish then it was lights out for me, LATER

Sunday Morning Mar 23rd

Well Saturday turned out to be another really nice day after a some what chilly start which is quite unusual for this time of the year. Its almost April when it usually turns hot and humid but these past couple of days has been just the opposite and its refreshing to say the least; no a/c on for days. I started the day with my usual 5'ish rollout to my routines that begin with some quiet times to honor my lord, JESUS, give thanks for another day and to lift up several by name for comfort and healing. All seem to be holding with this post. We had the Ross Family over for supper and of course Ava and Sam told us about their experiences of being in a foreign country and their school trip.

I piddled around outside after breakfast hand watering the gardens and new sod I laid a couple days ago and then spread a sack of mulch we picked up after leaving Sam's on Friday. Nancy was off shopping once gain and I didn't do a whole lot except read and then settled into the NCAA basketball games after lunch until it was time to grill some chicken breast for our fajitas, along with black beans and rice for our supper.

The supper was delicious and plentiful and I'll have enough for another meal and or lunch this coming week. We had brownies with ice cream for dessert then we played a family game of Pictionary until nearly 9'ish, before they headed out for home. The kids were still on France time and were both tired. 

I soon hit the shower and then watching some ALONE on the bedroom TV until lights out at 10 for me. Today Sunday is corporate worship day both here at the house on line and then in person at our local church, LATER

Saturday Morning Mar 22nd

Well Friday started out on the chilly side for a couple hours but eventually warmed up enough to make for a pleasant day, although the stiff wind kept in on the cool side throughout most of the day and when night fall came it got down right cold again. I started the day much the usual with a well before 5:30 rollout to my usual routines that begin with some quiet time to honor my lord, JESUS, give thanks for another day and to lift up several by name for comfort and healing. The grands got back safe so thats an answered prayer for them. Everyone else seems to be holding with this post.

I headed out to the Rec around 7'ish for a good hour and half of pickle ball play and left with a wet shirt and head. It was a good exercise workout since most of the players were intermediates but I did manage to win most of the matches with different partners until all 4 players exit the court whether you won or not, because so many were waiting to get on to play. That took away your ability to stay on the court with constant wins, oh well. I had plenty of court time this week and really wasn't too unhappy to leave the court despite winning.

I came home and had a bite of breakfast around 9'ish then headed out to hand water the gardens and the new sod in the back yard. We decided to head to Sam's Club for a few items and to gas up at 2.90. Gas is finally starting to drop a little with Trump's plan on making energy an item to bring back under control and affordable once again. Drill Baby Drill is music to my ears and sorrow to the idiots on the Left who want to see America become a third world country. We finally have a leader for a change and his administration is doing everything to make us safe from all the illegals who are criminals that have invaded our nation during the last inept corrupt bunch in D.C. Waste fraud and abuse of our treasury is being uncovered and the Left is having a fit because many of their politicians have become wealthy on kickbacks and just plain corruption, and they are screaming the loudest. I say vote every democrat out of office in the next elections as I haven't found many who are honest or even have any love for the nation. They vote against everything that is good for the nation and anything that makes common sense and most have TDS.

Israel is taking it to the barbarians in Gaza and I wouldn't be surprised to see Trump take out Iran's nuclear facility which they are trying to make a weapon. to destroy Israel and the U.S. These terrorists are barbarians and should we wiped off the earth. Praise GOD we have a new leader in the White House, despite the opposition from the dem's who are complicit with the criminals who hate US(A), LATER

Friday Morning Mar 21st

 Well Thursday was another near perfect winter day with a slight chill in the air to start the day and then lots of sunshine with no humidity but by late afternoon we saw some clouds and a brief rain shower. It stayed very mild the rest of the evening with a slight chill to end the day. I don't believe the a/c came on at all which is very unusual for this time of the year.

I started the day with my usual around 5:30 rollout or a little before, depending on how strong Nancy's snoring is, which is usually the key. I did my usual morning routines that begin with some quiet moments to honor my lord, JESUS, give thanks for another day and to to lift up several for comfort, healing and safety for our grands who were on the way back home from Europe with their Keswick School class.

I headed out at 7 for the Rec in the truck for some pickle ball and had a great workout leaving with a wet shirt and head. Nancy was off to our local church for her weekly women's Bible study and I too headed out at 6:30 for the men's class after picking up neighbor Dan. After getting home and with Nancy gone I piddled around in the gardens and yards until she got home for lunch around 12 ish. We cleaned up the last of the soup as well as the last of the collards which both were so delicious left over.

I read the afternoon away until supper time which was just a salad for me after the large lunch and even managed a cat nap after the heavy workout on the pickle ball court. I started a new read by Nelson DeMille titled BLOOD LINES and its a real page turner as well.

After getting back for my class around 8:30 I hit the shower and then some ALONE time on the bedroom TV until lights out at 10 for me, LATER

Thursday Morning Mar 20th

 Well Wednesday turned out to be another near perfect winter day with a chill in the air to start but beautiful warm temps with lots of bright sunshine and blue skies by the afternoon. I started the day much the usual with a before 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 as well as a safe return for my two grand youngen's, Ava and Sam who are on the way home from Europe today. All seem to be doing well.

I headed out to the Rec a little after 7 for close to two hours of pickle ball play and got in some great exercise with many different partners. I met a new player who is an USAF widow who recently moved to the area and invited her to our local church on Sunday, she has good potential on the court. I left and made a stop at the library for a new read of which I haven't been doing much of since all of these remodels on the house and yard. We took off after lunch for Lowes and bought some sod for the back yards and mulch for the front planter. I mowed the yards when I got home from the library and did some garden work up until lunch time.

The lettuces are maturing beautifully and now a few of the volunteer tomato's are starting to produce. The cucumber plants are sending out runners and should soon be showing some blooms as well. The beets are huge and we are going to roast some today for our supper.  The green beans are blooming once again and should be setting fruit shortly. The garden is slowing down with the heat but these cool nights have helped keep it going for now which won't last much longer due to the heat which usually dries it up by April, except for the tomato plants.

We worked outside in the back yard planting the sod where the old oak tree used to be which is now long gone. I sure miss the shade and the oak leaves for the garden but there will be plenty in the neighbor hood that I can pick up for the gardens, oh well.

We did a frozen pizza doctored up with black olives for our supper and then we settled into the Fox News until 8'ish and then I hit the shower and some ALONE  show on the bedroom TV. It was lights out for me at 10, LATER

Wednesday Morning Mar 19th

 Well Tuesday was a bit chilly to start the day which is most uncommon for this time of the year when its usually hot and muggy, but I'm loving these temps which kept it very nice all day long and then cooled down towards late evening once again. I played pickle ball in the early morning and then came back and worked around in the gardens harvesting a nice mess of collards for the pot, which we had for supper and then gave the front door its second coat of peach colored paint. 

I started the day much the usual with a before 5:30 rollout to my routines that begin with some quiet time to honor my lord, JESUS, give thanks for another day and then to lift up several for comfort, healing and safety for my two grand kiddos in Europe with their school. They seem to be having a grand time singing in various churches as well as some site seeings.

I headed out around 7'ish to the Rec driving the truck and got in close to two hours of good pickle ball play with different partners winnings mostly except for the last match which we lost as I ran out of gas. We have some really good players and I'm the oldest among this group but can still hold my own on the court. I truly love this game and the exercise is great as I'm back to building up my stamina.

After lunch I didn't do much except peruse the the issues facing Israel in Gaza and they have once again decided to take down the Hamas terrorists with air strikes as they have broken the ceasefire and failed to return the hostages. America is also taking down the terrorist in Yemen as well and these terrorists who are Iran's proxy needs to be aware they are next. Potus Trump is giving what they deserve and teaching them that peace comes only for those who want it and America will no longer tolerate these who act with violence and will receive what they sow in return. Praise GOD we have a real Potus for a change because these barbarians want to wipe out Israel and America with their hatred.

Well I grilled a couple home style pork chops for supper, along with a pot of collards and some dirty rice all which was delicious. After the cleanup we settled into watching Fox News for a while and then around 8:30 I headed in for a shower and some ALONE time on the TV. It was lights out for me at 10'ish, LATER

Tuesday Morning Mar 18th

 Well Monday started out on the windy and much cooler than on Sunday, but it did eventually warm up a little to the low 70's, but the wind was strong all day long. I worked outside for awhile after an hour and half of pickle ball and then repainted both of the bathrooms shiplap walls before giving the front door a first coat of peach paint the girls all picked out to match the blue paint on the outside of the freshly painted house. It wouldn't be my choice but thats what Nancy, Amy, Katie and a couple other lady friends thought would set off the front of the house, oh well.

I headed out to the Rec after my morning routines that begin with some quiet times to honor my lord, JESUS, give thanks for another day and to lift up several by name for comfort, healing and for safety of  Ava and Sam who are in Europe on a school trip. I played well for several matches, winning all, but when so many came that winning made no difference with court presence and you had to exchange all 4 players after a match, was time for me to go, oh well. I had a good work out and broke a sweat so that was fine with me.

Nancy was off shopping so I got lots done with out her supervision and then settled into a fresh garden salad for lunch before she ever got back home around 1'ish. Trump is doing a fantastic job of ridding the criminal illegal from the country and we can see where woke liberal democrat appointed judges are trying to stop him with injunctions; thats totally despicable and I sure hope this man is impeached and removed from the bar and it sends a message that America is through with those who hate US(A) in the judiciary.

Well I did hand water the gardens and harvested a couple ripe tomato's from the side garden which has 6 volunteer tomato plants. I have no idea what they will produce but these 4 tomato's were ripe and delicious and about the size of a tennis ball. We heated up the leftover Zuppa soup for our supper and it was delicious with butter and saltines. After the cleanup ee settled into the Fox News channel until 8'ish then I hit the shower and was soon watching some ALONE on the bedroom TV, before lights out at 10 for me, LATER

Monday Morning Mar 17th

 Well Sunday started out windy but with moderate temps and by late afternoon that front moved in with heavy rain, lightning and some tornado warnings in the area that has devastated the south the past couple of days. We got some much needed rain and the new gutters got a work out which they did great as far as we can tell.

I started the day with my usual 5:30 or a little before 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 for comfort, healing and now for safety as two of my Ross grand kids are in Europe with their school. The terrorist in the world are showing up especially among the muslim population and they are prevalent especially in Europe where they kill needlessly.

We headed out to our local church for corporate worship after watching Cornerstone Chapel on the internet and worked the front doors greeting many with hugs, handshakes and smiles to folks in the second service. Afterwards we met up with two other couples for lunch at Millers Ale House for a delicious lunch which held me the rest of the day. I spent the afternoon on the couch watching March Madness basketball finals and there were some good games. Not much to write about except we watched the weather advisories for Florida and there were several tornado watches and warnings that lasted a couple hours along with strong wind gusts and torrential down pours.

I tuned into the ALONE show in the bedroom after basketball until 10'ish then it was lights out for me, LATER

Sunday Morning Mar 16th

 Well Happy Big Day to my middle sister Pat who is close to 70 today. I'll get a card in the mail this week. Well Saturday was another nice day with a little more heat but lots of wind which kept it comfortable to be outside at the ball park in Brandon for the twins base ball game. It was another tough loss for their team as their hitting is in a slump. Huck got a couple hits but Ryder is striking out along with most of the team. Anyhow they was plenty of support for them as Amy, Tyler and Eliza came over to watch the game before heading to AKEA which is in Tampa.

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, healing and for safety for Ava and Sam who are in France on a school trip. We got some videos of them singing at some concerts as they have a full schedule while in these different venues.

After leaving the game we came back the crosstown toll road due to a fatality on I-4 which FHP was still investigating with the road completely void of any vehicles, which was a rare site and the traffic back up and delays was major causing some slow downs on our route as well. The fatal person was still evident at the scene but thankfully covered with a sheet as it appears they were throw out of the vehicle. That brought back memories of my job for about 25 of the 30 years I was a trooper and a traffic homicide investigator. The toughest part was always notifying the next of kin and of course photographing the deceased.

We made a stop at Lowes in Pinellas Park for paint for the front door and to check on the new doors we will be replacing in the next couple of weeks when my helper is able to be here to supervise the job. He is tied up for a couple weeks but eventually will get here as we want to replace the front storm door and the side outside garage door and that I hope will be the end of all the remodeling and updates on this house.

Amy and Tyler had us over for a supper of grilled flank steak, rice and green beans all of which was delicious. We stayed and played a game that Eliza likes to play and old me won both with some great guesses. It was going on 9 before we got home so I hit the shower and was soon watching some ALONE on the bedroom TV with lights out at 10, LATER

Saturday Morning Mar 15th

 Well this month is half gone already and we draw closer to leaving for the mountains in a little over two months. I'm looking forward to the hills and the cabin as well as old friends and neighbors there. The weather here is still quite nice with moderate temps and very little humidity thus far but its coming no doubt about it. The garden is still thriving and producing as I once again loaded up one of our supper friends with both collards and kale last evening. We had our community group here for supper and then some Bible trivia; the gals out answered more of the questions than we did among the 12 of us. The food was excellent and plentiful as well.

I had started the day 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, healing and for safety especially the school group from Keswick who are now in France. All are holding with this post and we received a picture of Ava with her friend Landon in Lyons, France. I headed out around 7'ish for the Rec and got in a good workout on the pickle ball courts with various partners winning most of my matches before heading home around 9ish to hand water the gardens and put up the new solar lights on the front of the house along with new house numbers. I'm just about complete with the make over except for a new side door and a new front storm door and then painting the front door a different color to coordinate with the blue paint on the house; which I believe she and our friends have chosen peach in color, oh well. White is my choice but I'm not the host of HGTV which seems to be the way to go these days.

I spent the afternoon helping Nancy get ready for our evening supper get together with 12 folks here in this small house. It was manageable and everyone had a good meal as well as fun answering questions about the Bible. We are all except for Nancy and Brian members of SRBC who were once the leaders of this group, but have since moved to Pasco County to be involved in our church plant there. They all left around 8:30 and then we put the house back together.

This morning we have to be in Brandon which is an hour away at 9 AM to watch the twins play ball and will get to see son Bobby and the rest of his family as well. It will be another busy day as we visit Lowes on the way home and decide on doors and purchase the new paint for the front door, LATER

Friday Morning Mar 14th

Well Thursday was once again a near perfect day here in usually hot muggy Florida this time of the year, but once again we had doors and windows open after a cool start and the temps may have reached the low 70's by late afternoon. I did an hour and half of pickle ball before heading home so Nancy could have the truck for her Bible class at S.R.B.C.  So I worked around the house. More on that later.

I started the day with a 5"ish rollout which seems to be getting earlier as I age for some reason or maybe its because Nancy snores so loud it awakens me around that time and of course I'm in bed by 10 on most nights. I did my usual routines that begin with some quiet moments to honor my lord, JESUS, give thanks for another day and to lift up several by name for comfort and healing. All seem to be holding with this post.

I headed out around 7'ish for the Rec for some pickle ball with all really good players and won most of my matches in the shorten time frame, as I had to be back home with the truck by 9:30 for Nancy, anyhow I had a good workout and left with a wet shirt and head. She was off immediately for church so I harvested some leafy greens and cleaned them for the salad bowl. I then hauled a couple wheel barrow loads of mulch from the pile in the garden from the big oak which I had stored for further use and its just about gone as I've loaded the front planter as well as the surrounding hedges and garden patches. The worms will eventually work it down into plant food. I had a little black paint leftover from doing the outside lawn chairs so I used it up on giving some areas on the chairs another coat. They sure turned out great, almost new like in appearance. I'm sorry I didn't do this a year ago but I do think I can get another couple years out of them since I purchased cushions for them which I have stored in a plastic tub, but have never used them, oh well.

After a lunch of fresh cauliflower in ranch dressing I headed in to catch up on the massacre in Syria by the terrorist who have taken over the country and is murdering needlessly innocent folks and how Israel is taking it to the barbarians in Gaza and Lebanon who are Iran proxies. I hope the IDF and America bomb them back to the stone age because it they get a nuclear bomb they will do it us and Israel first. Those terrorist are down right evil and no regard for life, only an ideology promoted by a false prophet. 

Well I  grilled lamb chops for our supper which is a rare treat and one that I love along with fresh asparagus, delicious to say the least and the meat is so sweet and tender. I'm trying to cut down this spare tire so I'm staying away from as many crabs and sugars as possible and along with playing pickle ball maybe that will come true. I headed out with neighbor Dam for the mens Bible study around 6:30 and got back around 8:30. We had a good turn of men there, but we get bogged down on some rabbit holes which various opinions on what the scripture means, Hebrews is an interesting book of the Bible and its unknown who the author was.

I hit the shower and was soon watching ALONE on the TV in the bedroom until 10 when it was lights out for me, LATER

Thursday Morning Mar.13th

Well Wednesday was another near perfect winter day here in Florida with a chill to start the day in the morning and shorts and t-shirt temps the rest of the day with tons of bright sunshine and blue skies. I started the day with my 5:30 rollout or a little before 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. Please keep Ava and Sam Ross our grands in your prayers as they travel overseas with their school program to several places in Italy, Germany and a couple more countries. They are excited with the program as are we, but fear for their safety in this crazy world.

I headed out to the Rec around 7'ish for 2 hours of pickle ball play and left whupped with a wet shirt and wet head. I came back home and hand watered the gardens then started my next project of restoring the paint to the outside lawn chairs which had rusted and the paint had peeled. After two coats of a rust removal gel the other day I applied two coats of another rust prevention black paint which took me right up to lunch time. What a difference a little salvage work did for those 6 chairs. I will now keep them in the garage when we are gone this summer in hopes to keep them away from all the rain and debris that ruined them over the last couple years.

After a lite lunch of a garden fresh salad with the last of the grilled salmon I headed in to check on Israel and the middle east. This brutal regime in Syria is as evil as the Hamas terrorists in Gaza as they are murdering needlessly women and children and men who are civilians and many who are christians leftover from the last regime change. Its vile and evil as they humiliate these folks before killing them. The Telegram channel shows this in real time and the images are horrible to say the least. I fear for Israel and all those who seek peace from these muslim terrorists who murder recklessly in the name of a evil god they worship.

Well we headed out around 6:30 for our local church for the Wednesday evening get together called 242 where its a mini much more casual service until 8 PM, then it was time to head home and hit the shower. I was soon afterwards watching some ALONE time on the TV before lights out at 10 for me. It's unknown what time Nancy comes to bed but usually after midnight, LATER

Wednesday Morning Mar. 12th

Well Tuesday started out on the chilly side and breezy and by nightfall it got down to be cold again as we sat in the bleachers and watched grand daughter Ava Mae play flag football in Clearwater against a Catholic School beating them 38-0. They won the night before in Tampa and won 22-0 . Wow this team is made up of mostly the girls varsity basketball team. I started the day with my before 5:30 rollout to my routines that begin with with some quiet times to honor my lord, Jesus, give thanks for another day and to lift up several by name. Our sweet grand mom for the Keswick team is under the weather and while she, Alice  and Dave are team mascots they have missed the last couple of games. Nancy made a pot of soup and we dropped it off at their house on the way to the game. Pray for Alice that she recoups after the stents placed in her last week.

I headed out around 7'ish for the Rec and some two hours of good pickle ball play with all really nice experienced players. I won all but a couples of matches and played well despite being away from the game for over a week. I got back and piddled in the gardens and then Nancy and I went shopping for a couple new plants and new house numbers which I disagreed on as I liked the old ones, plus they were on the house when I bought it in '79, oh well. The new ones aren't much different but you can't argue with this woman or change her mind once she has it in her head for a change. The local Lowes didn't have our plants to match the ones we bought last week, so it was back to Pinellas Park store which is out of the way but it had the ones we wanted to match the ones already planted. They do look good. We made a quick stop across the street to Publix for the making for the soup for Alice and Dave. I also blessed them with some of the black cherry tomato's.

I headed down to St.Pete for my monthly chiropractor adjustment and blessed the office with two huge sacks of collards and kale of which they both are garden growers but nothing on my scale; of course I'm been using the same soil for over 45 years and it will grow just about anything during my Fall garden. The cucumber plants are looking great as is the carrots and we should have tons more tomato's coming ripe in the next few days. The green beans plants are starting to bud up once again for my second planting and the new lettuce seedlings are mature enough to start harvesting them for the salad bowl. Seems I've lost the egg plants due to nematodes as did the Swiss Chard all but one plant, but I'm very surprised with the chill in the air this time of the year.

It was down right cold at the football when the sun went down and the full moon over the stadium was beautiful and so clear. We got back around 8:30 so I hit the shower and was soon horizontal watching ALONE in the bedroom until lights out at 10, LATER

Tuesday Morning Mar 11th

Well Monday started out with some skies that were going to unload some rain on us and it did for awhile but eventually it cleared off and a cold front moved in and by night fall you could feel the change in temps drastically; it sure felt great with the stiff breeze. I got my new seamless cutters installed at a price which seems fair and of course 300 bucks less that the first estimate and I got in a good hour and half of pickle ball play at the Rec. and then we had a new couple along with old friends for supper and cards.

I started the day with my early 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. It was dark when I drove out around 7'ish to the Rec and of course with the threatening skies it stayed dark even longer. I got in some good play before all of the less than experienced players arrived and left with a wet shirt from a good workout. I managed to win every match before leaving in the rain.

I did some piddly stuff for Nancy like touching up some paint scrapes in the kitchen on the cabinets and chairs while she headed off for her doctor's appointment. It stopped raining so I managed to clear out the rock wall in the corner of the front planter so now I can plant another hibiscus and a couple more hostas plants to balance out the planter and then I hauled another load of mulch for the planter as well. I then worked on the small fence along the side of the house and put it back as I had to tear it down to paint that area, by then it started raining again so I headed in to catch up on the news and Israel's crisis in the Middle East. The brutality of the muslims in Syria is unreal as they just humiliate their enemies in the Assad regime before shooting them in cold blood; both men, women and even children; such barbarians to the fullest.

Trump is doing a great job in righting this ship called America and we are such a blessed nation despite the haters of him and US(A) in the leftest democrat party. They are a disgrace to freedom and the rule of law and to the love of GOD for their corruption. We must rid all of them in these next elections.

Well I grilled several marinated chicken breast and Nancy made parsley tatters and had a salad and bread and Carol brought green beans and Sheri brought a strawberry pie, so we "ate high on the hog" and then afterwards we taught this new couple from church, Sheri and Brian Brooks the game hand, knee and foot. Well the guys prevailed but the girls could have won it in the last hand but because Sheri is new to the game she made a bad decision which cost them the game besides her teammates weren't thinking either, oh well it was going on 10 before we finished and we had to put the kitchen back in order before showering. It was quite late when I finally got to sleep, LATER

Monday Morning Mar 10th

Well Sunday turned out to be a near perfect day here in sunny warm Florida with bright sunshine and blue skies. We had a great day of worship both on line and at our local church where we had the privilege of greeting folks with hugs, smiles and hand shakes. Afterwards we came home and did some getting ready for son, Bobby and his family minus the two big kids, Annsley and Gabe as they were at their mothers place for the weekend.

I started the day with my usual 5:30 rollout or a little before, thus far the time change hasn't bothered me but last evening after everyone left I caught Nancy asleep on the couch as I got ready for my 10 PM bedtime. I headed in to watch some ALONE on the TV in bedroom while she watched her HGTV and she fell asleep, oh well. She was busy during the afternoon in the kitchen making cookie dough for the twin grands as well prepping for our dinner of salmon, asparagus and pasta along with a fresh salad.

Bobby and family were about an hour later then usual due to a traffic back up and it was after 5 before they arrived. The twins played outside with the soccer ball while I grilled the salmon and then colored after supper for awhile before they left around 8'ish for Brandon. The Ross Family didn't come as they are busy with church plus the older kids weren't coming so it was just Bobby, Katie, Ryder and Huck and we had a grand time. I think they missed the Ross kiddos, oh well. Ava can't eat any kind of seafood due to her mercury poisoning as a child and we were having fresh salmon.

 I did watch some girls basketball on the tv during the afternoon until they arrived and we shared some fruit of the vine once they arrived. Bobby is traveling again this week. He and Katie loved the new house colors and the shrubs we planted and suggested a larger plant in the one corner near the porch which is some what bare due to a small barrier along the planter. I may try to take it out this week so we will have room for another large shrub, oh well.

That was about it for this day as we had a good visit and the food was delicious as well. I'm back on the pickle ball court this morning and then the gutters folks arrive after lunch to install new gutters on the back of the house and then we have two couples coming for supper and games, LATER

Sunday morning Mar 9th..It's spring ahead on the time change

Well we lost an hour of sleep over night but its a sign winter is coming to an end for some folks and that means we are closer to heading north for the summer.  Saturday was another work day until 4 when we headed to Keswick School who was holding the county all star basketball players for the girls and our Ava Mae was a starter along with 3 other Keswick players among a group of really good players. Her group which led at halftime eventually loss but it was a good game and some outstanding play by all the girls on both teams and the crowd supporting the girls, filled the gym.

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 healing and comfort, all seem to be holding with this post. I had a lite breakfast of banana and some yogurt before heading out to hand water the gardens and do some yard cleanup as I mowed for the first time in weeks. We were heading to purchase some shrubs for the front planter and after 3 different stops we finally bought 12 plants; 6 pink hibiscus and 6 smaller hosta's. That filled the front planter and the one small area next to the drive way. I have a small area that I will fill with some other plants but haven't decided yet on what that will be.

We got back to the house after a Sam's Club stop some where around 1, and then after a lite lunch I headed out to get these plants in the ground which took me close to 3 before finishing in the hot afternoon sun. That was one of the reason's for hibiscus as they like full sun and for the hostas. After setting these plants I got cleaned up and we headed out to the school for the game. We missed the JV girls game which we were unaware of and did make it to the varsity game. After the game Nancy wanted a drink from Starbucks so we picked up one for her and then headed home to eat some leftover while I had a glass of the fruit of the vine.

After the cleanup I settled into the girls basketball game on tv until 8'ish then it was shower time and some ALONE time on the bedroom tv until lights out at 10, LATER

Saturday Morning Mar 8th

 Well Friday after a chilly start it warmed up nicely and the gentle breeze kept it perfect for finishing up the paint job on the house. I have a few touch ups but the main job is completed and it turned out better than expected. Many neighbors stopped by either driving or walking and commented on the look which I'm glad as I sure didn't want to have to do it all over again. I'll replace a couple doors and paint them and now I'll work on the front yard with some new shrubs and flowering plants today as we head to a nursery.

I did my usual routines of some quiet moments to honor my lord, Jesus, give thanks for another day and then lifted up several by name for comfort and healing. All seem to be doing as well as can be expected after my usual 5:30 rollout or a little before, thats is usually when I have to get up and go the bathroom for the first time during the night. The key to that is dark chocolate which as an ingredient in it that doesn't something to the prostrate. I tell all of my old male friends that is the secret for not getting several times during the night, oh well, just and FYI. I headed out around 8:30 for the local barber shop and Patty who has been cutting my hair for over 20 years is moving to Largo which is about 15 minutes or so north of here. Her land lord is raising rents and doing nothing for the building so she's moving out after 25 years in this location, oh well. I'll sure miss her being so close as I use to ride my bike there for years.

I came back and had a breakfast of eggs and avocado toast with a fresh garden tomato which held me until some veggies dipped on ranch dressing around 1'ish. I had cut in the last three peaks of the house and then painted these areas on a high ladder which Nancy held steady for me and then after lunch painted both porch floors after cleaning and treating them with some primer. I then painted all of the window sills and the back door. By 4'ish I was whupped and out of things to paint, thankfully.

I hand watered the gardens and harvested a double mess of collard greens for the GAB (great aunt betsy) who came by for a visit before supper. I did find a beautiful ripe 'mater which a fruit rat had eaten down so I put out more poison last night. It had eaten the other poisons I have been putting out now for the past couple of nights. I hadn't seen any evidence of any in awhile but they are back once again and I'm not happy, oh well. 

The garden is holding on with this last big rain and now the cool nights and the beans are almost ready to bloom again. The new lettuces are maturing as are the cucumber plants. Hopefully we will get some cukes before we leave in May. The tomato plants on the side garden are loaded with golf ball size fruit and we should have a ton to take with us in May as well. We cleaned up some taco meat we had frozen for our supper which we put over tortilla chips with cheese, sour cream, onions, tomatoes and lettuce and of course some taco sauce, delicious. I had a glass of fruit of the vine to accompany. After the cleanup we settled into the Fox News channel which seems to be about the only major MSM which is honest in it reporting until about 8 when I got sleepy. So I headed off to the shower and then some ALONE time on the bedroom TV until lights out at for me. I have no idea what time Nancy finally came to bed but its usually after midnight, oh well, LATER

Friday Morning Mar 7th

Well Thursday was another total work day outside in the cool breezy day but with plenty of sunshine and blue skies. I never would have thought we would get temps down into the upper 40's this time of the year but they were last evening and never got warmer than a low 70's. The stiff breeze made it feel even cooler, oh well. I never broke a sweat all day while painting the house which was unusual for me.

I started the day with my 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 although I read where a old fellow trooper associate I had known had passed away unexpectedly over night. After a breakfast of avocado toast and a garden ripe tomato I headed out to work on painting the walls on the house with a roller.

I had finished all the walls as Nancy got back from her morning Bible study class at S.R.B.C. and we had a lite lunch and then I headed out to give the window sills a base coat and then the back door from the kitchen a base coat. I still have three area's below the peaks of the house to paint, but I promised Nancy I would only use the high ladder when she was home, so I'll do that this morning and then will basically have the house painted accept for a second coat on the sills and doors. I have a few touch ups as the stucco showed some areas that are not covered completely and old light colored paint is visible, but barely and I have an extra gallon of the blue paint to use as well. I worked outside until nearly 4'ish before calling it a day.

After a supper of pork chop and sweet tater I headed out to my mens Bible class at 6:30 so I picked up neighbor Dan and we headed out and while we had a good group it was more a class of some old men telling their stories instead any study which made it tough to hear them talk despite me wearing hearing aids, oh well. I was glad when the class leader mentioned it was after 8 and we could head out. The air was quite chilled with temps down into the 50's already for the evening. I soon hit the shower and was resting while watching some ALONE on the TV and then lights out at 10 for me, not sure what time Nancy came to bed as I was whupped. On a sad note I got word the flag football team Ava Mae plays on for Keswick School lost in the last 10 seconds of the game in the Tampa area, LATER

Thursday Morning Mar 6th

 Well Wednesday started out with overcast skies and the threat of rain so I didn't get much done on the house with painting except for a couple hours until around 11, when I did feel a drop of rain with the stiff breeze, but the rain held off for another couple hours until around 1. When it did finally hit it was a gully washer and rain flying in all directions, thankfully the paint had dried and held to the house which I was mainly cutting in underneath the soffits.

I had started the day with my usual 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. Since I didn't do much except spend some time on the internet after hanging up the paint brush before lunch and then afterwards I started a new read and read for a couple hours as it was just to wet to do anything outside. I even took a cap nap after getting sleepy while reading. The new read is a novel by Freida McFadden titled COWORKER. She tells a good story but sometimes with a warped sense of humor and many real life experiences.

Nancy was busy cleaning out closets of baby toys, blankets, clothes and books so we could send them with a group of church folks going to South America this coming week on a mission trip. Some of the toys had dead batteries so we stopped on the way to church for new batteries. There was a good crowd at our 242 Meeting and pastor Derek spoke on the Bible itself which was very interesting to learn of the history of the many books that make up the Bible and when they became official and how and when it was put together and even how to read it, very informative talk. We met with our small group afterwards and our leaders daughter was in attendance. I mentioned to her that we had visited RP Funding in Lakeland where she goes to college and thats why we were there for Ava's basketball teams state finals and she knew Ava Mae and we had a conversation about how she knew our grand daughter and then her dad mentioned that he was both impressed with Ava and our grand son Sam who played Peter Pan in the school musical. What a small world. His daughters name is Anna Williams and she played the Tin Man in the Wizard of Oz Keswick school play with Ava.

We got back around 8:30 and I did some internet checking on some info and then got ready for bed after watching a little of the ALONE show on the Roku before lights out at 10, LATER

Wednesday Morning Mar 5th

Well Tuesday was a total work day outside with mild temps and a stiff breeze. There was some over head clouds but no rain which made for great painting on the house and some garden work as well. I started the day with my usual well before 5:30 rollout to my usual routines that begin with some quiet moments to honor my lord, Jesus, give thanks for another day and to lift up several by name, all seem to be holding with this post.

I had a breakfast of avocado toast with a garden grown tomato with some olive oil and cracked salt and pepper which held me until lunch and then I finished up the last of the garden grown salad. I'll need to harvest some leafy greens again today for the salad bowl. I did harvest a huge mess of kale for neighbor Carol who came with Dan and the Nymark's for supper and cards. Everyone brought snack foods and then we did a full regiment of hand, knee and foot which we all love to play. The guys won last night for a chance as the gals have been beating us regularly, they are one tough bunch of players. The game takes nearly 3 hours to play.

I painted the front of the house except the area above the garage and then moved to the back of the house out of the direct sunshine and got all of it painted except for the trim on the back door and the window ledges. Today I'll cut in the side of the garage during the morning when the sun is on the opposite side of the house and then move to the far side as the sun moves across to the west. I'll still have a couple days especially if it rains which is called for today before finishing up on the paint job, but still have doors and front lights to replace. I'll get help with the doors as its not a one man job and I'm less of a carpenter when it comes to that job.

Next week Nancy wants to go to a plant nursery for shrubs for the front planter so they can get lots of attention before leaving for the cabin the end of May once our first grand child and grand daughter, Ava Mae graduates from high school on May 23rd. Where did that time go?

After everyone left once the game was over we sat and watched our America First Potus Trump deliver a rousing speech to congress and was so dismayed at the attitudes of the dem's who sat and never clapped for any of his remarks and goals for the nation. Some were even rude and one was ejected from the body for such bad behavior. These folks hate America and this POTUS. Its down right criminal and I think every one of them should be voted out and indicted for treason because of their hatred for the nation. Its like they are the enemy and it showed last evening, these are despicable people, LATER

Tuesday Morning Mar 4th

 Well Monday started out on the chilly side but with bright sunshine and by the mid afternoon it was almost summer like with a breeze which made for perfect conditions for working outside all day long with a paint brush in my hands. If this weather holds, I may have the house painted by weeks end. Its a job but one I've always liked doing as you can see the results of your work.

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. On a sad note our "mountain mom" Helen is being buried today in N.C.  She passed on her 97th birthday after being operated on for her gall bladder, oh well. We sent a nice arrangement of flowers from the family as our kids and grand kids were the only ones she ever had in her life time and they all at one time or another had their pictures taken with her. Everyone else is holding and we got word our first grand child Ava Mae does have an issue with a protruding disc in her back which gives her so much pain at times. I know because I had a herniated disc while serving in the USAF and was operated on back in 1968. I will always have some pain and discomfort since then and occasionally need to see a chiropractor, but that operation saved my life because my orders for overseas was given to me, but since I was in the hospital they gave the orders to a different airman and he perished along with the whole aircraft crew in Viet Nam a year later. You just never know what life holds for you or when your time is up.

I painted all day long except for a break for lunch and I got just about all of the cutting in completed some from on a high up ladder which Nancy managed to make it stable for me. I used up one gallon of the blue paint which is the main color she choose and nearly one whole gallon of the white trim paint. Today I'll use a roller for the first time which should go a lot faster and be easier on my arms than the brush. Since we ate out on Sunday and we had a couple thawed prime rib steaks in marinate we decided to stay home for Nancy's birthday supper and I grilled those steaks to perfection and along with fresh broccoli, so we "ate high on the hog" which is an old country saying and because I grew up in the country and I'm still a country boy at heart. We had a garden fresh salad for lunch from my back yard gardens which are still producing and I gave away a mess of collards for Eliza our youngest grand daughters teacher at Keswick School yesterday. She was thrilled according to Eliza.

That was about it for the day so after the cleanup from supper we settled into the Fox news until 8'ish for me, then it was shower time and then some ALONE time on the TV in the bedroom until lights out at 10'ish, LATER

Monday Morning Mar 3rd.... Happy Birthday to Nancy

Well Sunday turned out to be another beautiful winter day in Florida with a little chill in the air but with tons of sunshine and bright blue skies, plus it was a great day of corporate worship at our local church and on line as well. I did make it a day of rest as well with no painting except we did stop at the paint store on the way home from eating out and picked up an extra gallon of trim paint.

I started the day with my usual before 5:30 rollout to my routines for the morning 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. After checking the social medias and Fox News I watched the Cornerstone Chapel service in Leesburg, Va. before we got ready to head over to S.R.B.C. where both Nancy and I greeted folks at the front doors; giving lots of welcomes with hugs, smiles and handshakes for folks leaving the first service and those attending the second. It was a beautiful morning as well and a great message from Pastor Derek.

After church we headed over to Outback for lunch as we had a 10 dollar Diners reward gift which was expiring today from Outback if not used. Nancy had the chicken and I had the chicken, shrimp with pasta; both were delicious and the reward paid the tip. We then made a stop at Sherwin -Williams for some paint before heading home to vegetate the rest of the day. I hand watered the gardens and then settled into a new read the Bobby gave me titled ALL THE COLORS OF DARK by Chris Whitaker. Its one of those page turners and the twists in the story line kept you intrigued with the plot and the characters that made up this adventure in death and deception. Great read and much could be from a real story in today's culture; its not for the faint of heart. I finished it before bedtime as I had read about half of the book earlier in the week..

We ate real light for supper with a leftover brat as the big meal out for lunch held up the rest of the day. We made it Nancy's 68th birthday meal out but it was just us as the Botbyl's skipped church as she had a cold and the other couple that usually joins had a friend visiting so it was just Nancy and I. The meal was delicious and plentiful but as usual a little pricey, oh well. After a hot shower and some ALONE time on the TV, I turned the lights out 10. Nancy is a night owl and usually sleeps in until 7:30 whereas I'm just the opposite. Today will be a work day painting on the house which I hope to complete sometime this week, LATER

Sunday Morning Mar 2nd

Well Saturday was a fun day that started with my usual well before 5:30 rollout to my routines that begin with some quiet times to honor my lord, Jesus, give thanks for another and to lift several up by name for comfort and healing, all seem to be holding with this post. I headed out after day break to hand water the gardens and to then spray some sealer on the walls of the house which is supposed to help with holding the new paint I'm applying to the house. We headed out around 10:30 for Keswick School to watch grand daughters Ava and Eliza participate in the finals of youth basketball of which Ava is the coach and Eliza plays like her big sister which is very aggressive. Their team had one of the best records during the year but lost the first game by one point and that made them with the best they could do with a third place finish after winning the second game big They just could not get any balls to fall in the first game. It was exciting to watch many of these players move up to middle basketball next year and then of course Ava graduates and moves on to college next fall. Hopefully she can play there and get over her injured back which kept her playing to minimal those last couple of games. She did play in the state finals for their division and the team that beat them won it all for the title. She is no doubt one of the top players for her team but injuries hurt her play down the home stretch.

After leaving school we made a grocery and shopping stop at Wal-Mart before heading home for a bite of lunch and afterwards I headed out to paint for a couple hours. I just about have all of the white trim finished on the house for at the first coat and will really get busy next week as the Rec is closed for the whole week which means no pickle ball and painting all day long. I'm hoping to finish up during the week and then order a couple a new doors as well as lumber to box in the front porch for updates that Nancy thinks we need as well as new front lights. She watches too much HGTV and is always coming up with changes and is about to wear me out, oh well. I truly love painting and now when ever I'm on a ladder she is right there supervising and giving me instructions and reminding me constantly of my age and how a neighbor nearly 10 years younger than me fell and broke his foot and I know she means well but I'm old enough and been around enough to know not to fall off a ladder.

I grilled peppers and onions and we had them along with brats also grilled for our supper as Amy, Ava and Sam all came to eat. Tyler had taken Eliza on a daddy/daughter event to the strawberry festival in Plant City to see and hear Lauren Daigle for the evening. We had a fun time with Amy, Ava and Sam as he turns 15 tomorrow on Nancy's birthday who turns 68, wow where did that time go. We visited and then they took off for home and I soon hit the shower and was watching some ALONE time on the TV until lights out at 10 for me. This pickle ball all last week along with the painting and gardening is at least keeping me busy and helping with getting back my stamina. We will sure miss all of our evening basketball games but now I learn we will be watching Ava play flag football a couple times a week and then Saturdays to Brandon to watch the twins play baseball. No grass growing under our feet.

In about 11 weeks we head off to N.C. for 5 months and I'm looking forward to the change in scenery but will miss seeing all of the grands weekly despite them all coming some time over the summer. Today is corporate worship day both on line at Cornerstone Chapel in Leesburg and then with our local S.R.B.C. where Nancy and I will work the front doors greeting folks with hugs, smiles and hand shakes which I love doing, LATER

Saturday Morning Mar 1st

Well Friday was another beautiful winter day in Florida with a slight chill to start the day then temps into the 70's with a breeze which made for a great painting day on the house. I did my usual morning routines that begin with some quiet time to honor my lord, Jesus, give thanks for another day and then to lift up several by name for comfort and healing. All seem as well as can be expected with this post.

I headed out around 7:15 for the Rec for an hour and half of pickle ball, mostly with fairly decent players to begin with as it was a day when anyone could show up and play. There were a few good players but mostly intermediates and beginners of which I play with as I'm in it for the exercise on MWF but on T/Th its a different game. The Rec is closed for a week due to the Pow Wow festival on the grounds and they close down the whole complex, oh well. I'll now have the whole day to paint and hopefully get it completed by weeks end.

I worked for about 5 hours on the back area of the house as a lot of the front and sides have rather high peaks so I'll be on a ladder which gives Nancy a fit and she now will help by making sure the ladder is steady which will be a treat, not. Oh well it could be worst. It was such a nice day for working in the shade, painting and I really like the chore as you can see where your efforts are bearing results and thankfully she likes it thus far.

I cut up a whole chicken for our supper and put it on the grill for an hour and it was perfect. When the kids were little we could get whole chickens for 19 cents a pound but now they are like 1.69 a pound and thats on sale. We ate a lot of grilled chicken back in the days and the kids loved the way I grilled them. I still love the backs and the bony parts and the gizzards but none were in this sack of giblets, oh well.

After the clean up I settled into FOX News and then the Lightning game and they were winning going into the third period. I soon hit the shower and was watching some ALONE on the TV in the bedroom and it was lights out for me at 10. I woke Nancy up up who had fallen asleep on the couch and she soon came in for a shower but I was gone. These extra 4-5 hours of painting a day wears me out and it a good feeling, LATER