Wednesday Morning Apr 30th

Well time is moving right along as now we are just 27 days out from leaving for higher elevation and cooler temps as the heat and humidity is back here with vengeance. I started the morning with my usual 5'ish rollout to my routines that begin with so quiet time to honor my lord, Jesus, give thanks for another day and to lift several up by name for comfort and healing, all seem to be holding with this post. I headed out to the REC in the truck as I had am early morning appointment at the VA for a blood draw, but I also wanted to get in a good hour or more on the pickle ball court and I did so. While at the VA I had some work done on my hearing aids and a check on my cheater glasses which I need only for reading small print, wow am I blessed in that department. I got back to the house after a stop next door to the VA at the Wal-Mart for an item I needed.

I headed outside to hand water the gardens and the front planter as it really been dry, but we got a pop up shower for just a couple minutes in the afternoon which dropped the temps down to the 80's from the 90's but did add to the humidity. I had a bite of lunch and set in for the afternoon reading and listening to up dates on the war in Israel and the conflict in Yemen which the US military is taking it to task after their attacks on shipping in the Red Sea. Iran is still enriching uranium for a nuclear bomb and I fear they will suffer the consequences of attacks by both Israel and the US if they don't come to the table to stop their program. Our POTUS Trump is making every effort to not bomb them because those radical muslims are bent on destroying Israel an America. We can only hope that GOD intervenes and sets them straight because of who Israel is and her ally.

Well we had leftovers for supper before heading out to Keswick School for their final choral concert of the year and it was Ava's final one as well along with 12 other seniors. It was a great evening program of music as well as viewing the lower classes art projects in the high school building. It was a packed house for the program and the viewing. We saw Eliza's creations in the under water project that was in a closed darken room simulating being under the sea and very creative to say the least. It was after 9 before we got back to the house and I hit the shower and some ALONE on the bedroom TV before lights out at 10, LATER

Tuesday Morning Apr 29th

 Well Monday started out much like every morning with a 5'ish roll out 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 and healing. I got word yesterday that a dear old friend(Walt) had passed away who lived in the Sparta area and had been in a nursing facility for the past several months. Everyone else seems to be holding with this post. No word on how Diane is doing in Michigan.

I headed out to the REC on my bike for close to two solid hours of pickle ball play and got in a good work out and left with a wet head and shirt. I headed out to hand water the gardens and yards until it was time to drive Nancy down to return an item at the Tyrone Mall and then a stop for gas at Sam's Club at 2.99 which is the best its been in ages while she shopped for a few items inside the store. We got back to the house at noon and I finished off the last deer burger for lunch.

After lunch I read the afternoon away as the heat and humidity is back and its just too hot to be outside in the afternoon. I did venture out side after a supper of zucchini pie which is one of our favorite one dish suppers, too pull some weeds growing in the front yard. It had cooled down enough to where it was bearable to be outside and then I hand watered what is left in the gardens once again. We have another 30 days to go before hopefully we are in the mountains and some cooler temps which I'm looking forward too plus getting the gardens in shape for the summer.

Not much to write about except the Lightning lost again and now are one game away from being eliminated from the NHL playoffs as they are down 3-1 in the best of 7 games, oh well. I hit the shower and was soon watching some ALONE on the bedroom Tv until lights out at 10 for me, LATER

Monday Morning Apr 28th

 Well Sunday was a awesome day of worship both locally and first on line with a fav of ours in Leesburg, Va. at Cornerstone Chapel and of course where we served greeting folks in the 10:30 service at S.R.B.C. It was recognize seniors who are graduating and many of whom we know from Keswick School are friends of our grand daughter Ava Mae who just turned 18, oh my where did those years go. She was the first grand child and oh so special as are all of our grands.

I started the morning much the usual with a 5'ish rollout to my quiet moments after posting this ramble to give thanks for another day and to lift up several by name for comfort and healing and to praise my lord, Jesus. All those I mention are holding but its been a week or more where several ole' FHP trooper friends have passed on after retiring. I knew most of them and worked with a few over the years as they passed through Pinellas County where I spent 30 year working here, which is not usual and the reason is this county was where the patrol sent you if you got into trouble of any sort. This was one of the few counties that was always working with no down time due to the number of residents in such a small area. Thankfully I was living here when I came on the patrol and did not really want to leave or have to leave for any reason except to promote up. I loved working the road where I met different folks daily, some pleasant and some not quite so. Anyhow it was a meaningful job and career and was still respected and most folks were always happy to see a trooper on any major crash scene where there was a loss of life of which I was a part of over the 30 years.

I had harvested three messes of leafy greens for friends at church and gave them out after the service and then we met up with Dan and Carol at Millers for lunch which held me the rest of the day. I had the chicken fajitas which was delicious and just the right amount and Nancy had a veggie bowl with chicken on top. Well we headed home and chilled the rest of the day as I read, cat napped and then read more until it was ALONE time on the TV before lights out at 10'ish, LATER

Sunday Morning Apr 27th

Well Saturday started out much the usual with a 5'ish rollout, seems I don't need as much sleep for some reason as I'm usually wide awake come 4'ish, some of that is due to Nancy's snoring but of course she doesn't believe that, even with my ear plugs in, oh well. I did my usual morning routines that start with some quiet time to honor my lord, Jesus, give thanks for another day and to lift up several by name for comfort and healing. All seem to be holding at this time.

I headed out to the Rec at 8 o'clock as it doesn't open until then on weekends for some really good pickle ball play. Two new younger men arrived who really were nice players and while I managed to hold my own with them, actually winning with them and then beating them with new partners. They were the best I've played against in some weeks and I hope they come back next Saturday. Since we don't go to Brandon for the twins baseball games as their season is over and they lost in their final tournament, so I'm back on the court on Saturday. These guys were 40 years younger and with such quickness, but I managed to win critical points which was exciting. I whupped out after 5 matches and headed home on my bike with my head and shirt soaked, oh well. It was fun to say the least.

I piddled around outside hand watering and harvesting some cucumbers and tomato's the fruit flies didn't ruin. I'm having to pick the 'maters before ripening or the flies destroy them and now they are even starting on the green ones, oh well. I'm dusting the cucumbers and that seems to help but now I need to start on the couple tomato plants again with Sevin dust as a couple of the side garden plants are still holding lots of green 'maters. I'll harvest a couple messes of lake and collards for church friends this morning and take with me to share at church.

I started a new read titled THE MOUNTAIN SHADOW its a sequel to SHANTARAM which was an awesome read authored by Gregory Roberts. Lot of the story is factual about his life much like an autobiography with the setting in Bombay, India. Its a real page turner and there are lots of pages with this book as well at over 800 pages much like the first book. I managed to knock out about a hundred pages in my first sitting and only stopped, because we had a dinner event at Amy and Tyler's with the whole family as we celebrated Ava Mae's 18 th birthday with delicious beer can chicken and other dishes, plus Nancy made our family favorite chocolate cake with white icing which is the best ever.

I skipped watching the Lightning finally winning against the Panthers in south Florida due to the book and its story, actually I didn't realize the game was on TV until later in the evening when we got to Tyler's house and he had other NHL games on TV. Speaking of TV and going to have to get a streaming device for the cabin as the local TV is no longer available but the internet will still be there. I'm leaning toward the Roku system and even using it here in Florid as the price of cable just went up to close to 300 bucks a month with internet, outrageous just to watch TV, oh well.

We got back from the birthday celebration around 9'ish and I hit the shower and then some ALONE on the bedroom TV until lights out for me at 10. Today is corporate worship day at S.R.B.C. where we will greet folks and make them feel welcome with smiles, hugs and handshakes. Praise GOD for the empty tomb we celebrated last Sunday with the Easter services, LATER

Saturday Morning Apr 26th

Well Friday started out with a 5'ish 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. All are holding, although Dianne is still in the hospital in Michigan and not doing so well with some very serious infections in her body and mainly in the liver, everyone else seems to be holding.

I headed out on my bike for the Rec for close to two hours of pickle ball play and left with a wet head and shirt and headed home to work in the gardens and yards, mainly hand watering and hoeing some recently transplanted volunteer lettuce seedlings which I'm thrilled are doing so well with this high heat. The tomato's are winding down and the pesky fruit flies are taking their toll on them and the cucumbers of which I'm back to dusting them with Sevin every couple of days.

The new grass sod is finally sending out runners and the area of where the big oak stood will soon be covered by the time we leave in about 30 days. The front planter shrubs are blooming and it looks as if they have taken hold in the area and will soon create a hedge across the front of the house and should give us plenty of beautiful peach colored blooms for years to come. I piddled around outside until lunch then it was read and watch videos on the war and political stuff occurring in the world.

I grilled some deer burgers for our supper and we cleaned up the last of the garden salad. I'm hoping in a week or so to harvest romaine lettuce for the salad bowl, along with kale and cucumbers and some tomato's the flies haven't ruined. Its been a great garden year except for those nematodes and fruit flies. I'm still harvesting collards, kale and carrots and will give away another mess of the greens on Sunday at church.

Well the Lightning lost again at home against the Florida Panthers and its not looking good for them to stay in the playoffs, despite winning big the last couple of weeks. I haven't kept up with the Ray's since they left the Trop. Our oldest grand child Ava Mae turned 18 today and we wondered where did those 18 years go so fast. She graduates in a couple weeks and while she is an athlete we aren't sure if she will play in college next Fall. She and her team play on Monday evening in Tampa against a team that beat them earlier this year in flag football; they will play for the regional championship. Hopefully they will play well and then head off to the state finals, LATER

Friday Morning Apr 25th

Well Thursday was another busy day that found it starting for me with a 5'ish 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 headed out to the Rec for close to two hours of pickle ball play with a several other good players and got in a good workout leaving with a wet head and shirt. I made a stop at the library for a couple of new reads before heading home on my bike.

I piddled around in the yards and gardens harvesting tomato's and cucumbers as well as pulling weeds and hand watering both the front planter and the gardens. It seems the Sevin dust had stopped for now the worms getting into the cucumbers. The kale and collards continue to grow and I'll harvest a mess of both for a friend on Sunday at church. The heat is back but not unbearable as of yet. I did take the garden hose and washed out the coils on the a/c unit which I had never done before, after shutting it down. I've learned a lot since the capacitor went out on Sunday with installing a new one and how to shut it down for repairs and maintenance on the outside unit.

Nancy was off to her Thursday morning Bible study class and usually doesn't get back until lunchtime so I ate the last of the ham on a sour dough bread sandwich for lunch and then since I had my mens Bible class later in the evening, I had a large garden fresh salad for my supper, unfortunately she brought home some of her baked goodies she took for her class and there was lots leftover, which I'm trying not to indulge in; baked zucchini bread and another baked chocolate loaf bread, yikes all of these are full of sugar but oh so tasty, oh well.

I did leave after lunch for a new barber and hair cut after my old barber had to move from her shop and now I have another lady barber which did a fine job as did last one. Not much to report except I'm keeping up with the war in Gaza and the strikes in Yemen on those barbarian Iranian proxies. Russia is rattling sabers as well as is China making some blatant statements about the tariffs; anyhow they are messing with the wrong POTUS in my book who is not running away from issues and will use might if push comes to shove. That was about it for the day as I read for a couple hours before getting ready to head out to church at 6:30. It was close to 8:30 before getting home and then hitting the shower and some ALONE on the bedroom TV until lights out at 10, LATERT

Thursday Morning Apr 24th

 Well Wednesday was another summer like day with out the high humidity but its coming despite the gentle breeze which has kept it away for now. I started the day with my usual 5'ish rollout to my routines that start with some quiet times to honor my lord, Jesus, give thanks for another day and to lift up several by name for comfort. All seem to be holding with this post.

I headed out on my bike for the Rec and for close to two hours of pickle ball play and got in a good workout with mainly good players. There were a couple who came late that were intermediates but by then I was whupped and left for home with a wet head and shirt. Today Thursday should be even better play with all experienced players. I worked outside in the yards and gardens mainly hand watering and checking on the tomato's and cucumbers.

I spent the next couple of hours checking up on Israel and their war with the barbarians in Gaza as well as the USA in their conflict with Yemen and those radical muslims. Seems both of these Iran proxies are getting the crap kicked out of them and now Trump is making it know they should come to the table or get bombed as we all know they should and hopefully never get a nuclear weapon. America's economy is starting to show signs of improvement despite what the bias MSM professes and that illegals are being arrested and removed. The democrat party has now become an enemy of US(A) and they too should be investigated, especially their leaders who have left the nation nearly bankrupt and on the verge of a depression. So sad to think there are Americans who have no love of country.

Well Nancy was in the kitchen all day long baking and making food for her women's Bible class today(thur) so I read the afternoon away until it was time to head out to Keswick School to watch Ava's flag football game against a team from a couple hours away in the Villages. Keswick won 20-6 and now will probably play a team that was one of their losses for the season, next Monday in Tampa, oh well. We got back to the house around 8'ish and then I hit the shower and was watching some of the ALONE show on the bedroom TV until lights out at 10 for me, LATER

Say LeAnn if you and Tim finally got this blog and got home safe to Canada give me a shout out in the comment section of this blog.

Wednesday Morning Apr 23rd

Well Tuesday started out with a 5'ish 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 for comfort and healing. All seem to be holding with this post although several are still suffering and in the hospital. I headed out on my bike to the Rec and got in a good workout with mainly all good players and left whupped with a wet head and shirt and then made a stop at the library for a couple new reads before heading on home.

I worked outside in the gardens and yards for the next hour or so pulling some weeds and grasses as well as hand watering and harvesting some tomato's and cucumbers. I had to once again give them a dusting of Sevin dust as the fruit flies continue their existence, oh well. The heat is really starting to take its toll on the garden and it will soon be burnt up for this season in Florida and I'm eagerly waiting to get the summer gardens ready at the cabin next month.

I received my new capacitor for the a/c unit and replaced the one I had borrowed from neighbor Dan which worked great in the emergency on Sunday and replaced his with a new one as well. If a technician came out it would have cost me hundreds of bucks and I did it with Dan's help which really wasn't that difficult and the cost for 2 capacitors was 30 bucks. Unbelievable what I saved and You Tube also had a great video on doing the same job which just reinforces your ability to do the job with out a technician.

I read the afternoon away and we cleaned up some leftovers for both lunch and supper of which we still have some ham from Sunday. I tuned into the Fox News after supper and then to the NHL playoff game between the Panthers and the Lightning for the first period and the Bolts were down by one goal. I'll have to check on that score, LATER

Tuesday Morning Apr 22nd

Well summer time is here but not with avengeance yet, but close with temps in the low 90's, but the humidity is starting to appear more every day to where it will be miserable to be outside in a few weeks and hopefully by then we will be in the mountains. The mornings and evening are still comfortable with the steady breeze off the water. I headed out to the Rec on my bike for close to two hours of continuous pickle ball play with several different partners winning all of my matches. It was good play despite a few intermediates in the mix.

I started the day with my 5'ish rollout to my routines that start with some quiet moments to honor my lord, Jesus after posting this ramble to lift up several by name comfort and healing. We lost another sweet dear lady friend who we had known for many decades as a business and church friend. She had been in a nursing facility for months and passed at an old age in N. C. yesterday.  Margaret with her husband Carroll ran the first Pizzeria in Sparta for years and we introduced them both to Cornerstone Church and both eventually became supporters there until their passings.

I came back from pickle ball and worked out side in the gardens and yards. I finally had to use some Sevin dust on the cucumbers as the little green worms were destroying almost every one. I'm still harvesting a couple a day and did harvest a mess of both kale and collards for an old dear church friend who we team taught a Sunday School class at First Baptist of Seminole for years and is from Kentucky originally and grew up on a farm. She helped me with getting rid of the big oak tree in the back yard and is a dear sweet gal.

I ordered new capacitors for the a/c unit and hope to replace the borrowed one from Dan and get him a new one in return. The unit is running great since Sunday and the loss of the old capacitor which left us sweating for a couple hours and the news my old a/c buddy has fallen down the old alcohol trail after a divorce. I'm saddened for him and the issues he is facing.

Well we headed up to the Dan and Carol's which is just a few doors up and met up with Sheri and Steve and had leftovers for supper. We brought ham and a garden salad and Sheri brought some leftover chicken and tatters and there was some shrimp salad as well as some vino they were cleaning out their fridge as they will be gone for several weeks traveling. We got into a game of hand, knee and foot and the guys were winning through out the game until the last round and we could not get our 7's and that of course is worth 5K points and we lost when we were ahead by 5 K going into the last round, oh well. It was fun and the gals were winners for a change. We headed home and I hit the shower and then some ALONE show on the bedroom TV before lights out at 10 for me, LATER

Monday Morning Apr 21st

 Well Easter morning was one of worship both on line at Cornerstone Chapel and then again at S.R.B.C our local church and we once again greeted hundreds of folks who filled the church, both coming and going. We saw many new faces as well as many of our regular attendees. We will surely miss this privilege of being a welcoming committee for worshipers.

I had started the day with my usual 5'ish rollout to my routines that begin with some quiet times to honor my lord, Jesus who had risen and was once more the reason and the way to Heaven and who was being honored through out the world on this very day. All those who are on my daily prayer list is holding with this post. The temps were a little warm but a stiff breeze kept it quite comfortable to be outside as we were greeting of folks, but by the afternoon with a houseful of family our a/c which was running, suddenly broke down while eating. The house became quite warm and very uncomfortable. Thankfully I was able to determine along with our neighbor Dan who fixes these issues for his ETC houses and who had an extra capacitor on hand. That fixed the problem and once again the house cooled back down. Now I'll order a new one to replace his and hopefully that issue will be fixed. I learned my old a/c buddy has been having a run of bad luck and was presently in jail for a DUI, so sad as I've known him as a neighbor for many years and is basically a good guy and a/c man, but a divorce ruined him, which has ruined many a good man and that he has no relationship with Jesus that I know of.

I helped around the house and kitchen as we prepared for 10 folks for supper around 5'ish. I vacuumed, put the leaf in the table as well as harvested and prepared collard greens for the pot which we cooked for about 4 hours. They turned out delicious as did everything else which included; ham, tatters that Betsy made and brought, corn, beets from the garden as well as a salad and crusty bread. Carrot cake that Amy made for dessert followed later in the evening while we played games.

I did watch the Ray's lose to the Yankees before everyone arrived for supper and they looked bad with no hitting until the last inning after winning the day before. We watched some NHL as the playoff's have started and the Lightning will be playing against the Panthers in south Florida this week. Well everyone left around 9'ish then we attempted to put the house in order and now I have a small hole in the wall by the front door which Ava managed the slam the front door into while rough housing with Sam, any how I'm not pleased with her at the moment. She is usually such a sweet young lady but last evening she was anything but that, oh well that gives me two more projects to complete before leaving in about 6 weeks or less, LATER

Sunday Morning Apr 20th..Happy Easter

 Well Saturday turned out to be another gorgeous day despite the 91 degree temperature as the humidity was quite low. I worked outside to start the morning and then we headed to Brandon in the early afternoon to celebrate an early Easter supper with many family members. I had 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 are holding with this post but Dianne is still in the hospital after a rough night. Keep praying the doctors can get her body back to fighting this sepsis and other issues of infection.

I headed out to work in the yards and gardens even giving the new wood look on the front porch a third and final coat of stain. It really has made the house look completely different. I harvested several tomato's that were still green on one huge tomato vine before the fruit flies ruined them and now I will have to dust the cucumbers as little green worms are invading them as well. I transplanted more romaine lettuce seedlings that also came up volunteer in the garden. It was so nice out that I started digging this one pesky grass that has what looks like nuts on it and it will spread if not dug up, so I did that for an hours, luckily they come up in clumps as I dig them out. I then hand watered all that's left in the gardens and then the front yard planters. The new shrubs and flowering plants are doing quite well and I have beautiful orange and yellow marigolds plants in full bloom every where.

Amy and Eliza came to decorate cut out cookies that Nancy had made the dough the day before and had in the fridge. She then had them decorated them with all kinds of stuff while I was on line or reading until lunch time. After they left taking most of the cookies with them, I had a bite of lunch then settled into reading until it was time to get ready to head over to Bobby's house with daughter Amy's family and cousin Tammy's family. He had quite the crowd there with his 4 kids and Amy's 3 kid's so all of our 7 grands were there and they hid easter eggs for the 5 year old twins, plus Eliza. They had a fun time and added some money to their piggy banks.

Bobby had a huge smoked ham and mac and cheese and we brought fresh broccoli and a huge garden salad, others brought deviled eggs, crusty breads and cheese cakes with topping, what a feast and we are doing it all again this evening here at our place with out Bobby's family, but with Nancy's sister and husband and Amy's family. The menu once again will be ham, broccoli, salad and what ever. I think I'll make a pot of collard greens as well as I have tons still growing. They won't last much longer as the heat is really starting to crank up.

We had such a fun time with family, sharing experiences in life, eating and watching the Ray's win in a walk off homer to beat the Yankees after being down the whole game. It was going on 9 before we got back home and I hit the shower and some ALONE time on the TV until 10'ish, Later

HAPPY EASTER TO ALL

Saturday Morning Apr 19th

 Well Friday started out much like every morning with a 5'ish rollout to my routines that begin with some quiet moments to honor my lord, Jesus after posting this ramble, and to lift up several by name for comfort and healing, all seem to be holding.  My in laws on Nancy's side of the family are holding as of this post but with Dianne in the hospital in Michigan and her husband Eric on meds for some infection. They need prayers for healing.

I headed out to the Rec for close to two hours of pickle ball play with mainly good players except for a couple who are still learning the game, so I was helping them with pointers which I really enjoy doing and seeing them get so much better with the game. I use to teach tennis for years and love helping newbies get better especially with this sport which is so much easier on your body, oh well. I left around 9'ish and made a stop at the library for a couple new reads before pedaling home on my bike. I'm back to riding it to the Rec now that's getting light outside when I leave from home. Drivers here for some reason just don't pay enough attention to vehicles let alone to bike riders especially in the dark.

I came home and had a bite of brunch with some avocado on sour dough toast, thanks to LeAnn my Canadian pickle ball friend, I drizzled it with some olive oil and cracked pepper along with a hard boiled egg and a sliced garden fresh 'mater, yeow now that was some fine eatin'. I headed out to work in the gardens doing some watering, weeding and harvesting of greens and tomato's for neighbors both Carol next door and my new friend across the street Tom, who saved me tons of bucks on my house insurance. I also harvested my first batch of carrots and they were just beautiful in size and color. The grands are coming today to bake cookies with Nancy and they love fresh carrots plus we will glaze some for our Easter supper on Sunday evening when we have family in for a big meal.

I read the afternoon away after a lunch of a fresh garden salad starting a new read which is a true story on the death of a young female mill worker back in the 1800's. It very interesting and one of the first beginnings of a female writer in that period reporting on crime and another writer reporting on that writer. It's very interesting to say the least and it leaves you with many questions on was it a murder or suicide. The book is titled THE SINNERS ALL BOW by Kate Dawson. Anyhow I'm about half way through it and its shares lots of history from the era and that part of the country that was booming with the age of manufacturing and the independence of the youths coming from that period where we saw traditional life changing. Some for the better or for the worst depending on your ideas of living and for folks who were experiencing a change in the mores of society and with religion.

We had a frozen pizza for our supper as we were attending a Good Friday service at our local church and it was packed with Believers as are we and the service was very solemn to say the least as we gathered to remember what our lord, Jesus went through for the sins of mankind brought on by the fall in the garden of Eden. Now on Sunday there will be a celebration when we observe the risen Jesus who had over come death and gives us a chance to receive Him as our savior which will over come death for eternity for those who have the faith. The older we get and closer to those final days make you more aware of this blessing that Jesus suffered for our being right with GOD when we draw our last breath. That is our hope and that comes from the grace GOD gave us in this man called Jesus, but we have to except this gift by calling on Him. Sounds simple and with it comes great blessings in life as this changes you and your outlook which is not always a bed of roses.

We got back to the house after dropping off neighbors Dan and Carol and I soon hit the shower and was watching some ALONE on the TV until lights out at 10'ish. This evening we head to son Bobby house to celebrate Easter with him and his family as he doesn't have the big kids tomorrow as its their mothers turn to have them, LATER

Friday Morning Apr 18th..Good Friday

Well Easter weekend is upon us and for those who reverend Jesus, it is one of the most sacred days when our GOD rescues us from sin and gives us hope over death and for eternal life or for the unbeliever eternal damnation. Jesus is the gift, but one you have to receive, no strings attached just a belief in his love for us that he came to save the world and stand in our place for our sins.

I started the morning 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 to him, several by name for comfort and healing. I need to lift up both Nancy's brother and his wife who are in Michigan and both are having some severe health issues as both are in the hospital. Keep Eric and Dianne in your thoughts and prayers for healing. Everyone else seems to be holding with this post.

I headed out to the Rec on my bike as it was Nancy's Bible class and she needs the truck around 8:30 and it was pickle ball at the Rec until 10. I stayed until 9:30 for a change getting in over two solid hours of play and winning most of my matches with different partners. I really missed the Canadian couple Tim and LeAnn as they are gone for the summer and they were always the first to arrive and set up the nets and eager to play. I got there around 7'ish and was alone for the first 20 minutes so I set up a net in their place but them a few came in and we had some serious constant play for the next two hours. I left whupped with a wet head and shirt and then made a stop at the library on the way home for a couple new reads.

Nancy was gone so I got in some work in the yards and garden's mainly hand watering and harvesting tomato's and cucumbers and some weeding which is a pain, but a great sign your soil is fertile. I grow some great weeds as well as veggies and the soil is loaded with earth worms which is another good sign of great garden soil. I harvested a large mess of collard greens for my two garbage collectors when they came around to pick up my trash and still have more to harvest. I'm thinking about adding a mess to our Easter meal on Sunday when we have family over to celebrate the day with a ham dinner. Collards would go great with all the fixin's as well.

My neighbor who is an insurance broker/agent came over and gave me a quote on my next insurance contract for the yearly house coverage and he saved me 6 K dollars from what a company wanted to insure my old house. I did a wind mitigation and a 4 point inspection which costs me a 150 bucks but well worth it and it dropped my costs down from 11K to less than 5 K for the year. All of Florida is being held up for rates going up due to the last major hurricanes, but mine went out of sight and now its back to being some what reasonable. I've never put in a claim in all the 46 years I've owned this house, oh well.

Well we had fried red volunteer tatters from the garden along with a salmon fillet and some frozen peas and lima beans as we are trying to eat down the fridges and freezers as we get ready to be gone for 5 months starting the end of May. I headed out after supper to pick up neighbor Dan and we attended our mens Bible class at S.R.B.C. until 8'ish. After getting back I jumped in the shower and then some ALONE show on the TV until lights out at 10 for me, LATER

Thursday Morning Apr 17th

 Well Wednesday started out with my usual 5'ish rollout to my routines that begin with some quiet moments to honor my lord, Jesus, give thanks for another day and to lift up several by name for comfort and healing, all seem to be holding including Nancy. I headed out to the Rec for some pickle ball and said good bye to our dear Canadian friends who left their place here for the summer. I sure have gotten to know them and have so enjoyed not only their pickle ball play but also bartering fresh veggies for fresh baked sour dough bread. She is quite the baker. I got in several matches with different partners winning many and left with a wet head and shirt.

I got back to the house and had a bite of breakfast which included a slice of that delicious bread toasted with avocado on top with some olive oil, a hard boiled egg and a slice of one of my garden grown tomato's. What a feast and oh so tasty as well as good for you. I headed out to hand water the gardens and newly laid sod which is now starting to send out runners and hopefully which completely close in the area where the big oak once stood. I miss the big tree, but not Nancy complaining about it when we also leave for the summer months. The fruit flies have been taking their toll on the 'maters but I'm still getting enough for myself and a few neighbors. The cucumbers are maturing daily and I'm giving them away as well. The new lettuces seedlings are holding, but the pesky squirrels are always digging in the garden where they once buried nuts from the big oak, oh well. I grew up eating them way back when on the farm but I wouldn't eat these local squirrels unless we just had too, actually they are very tasty in a pot pie much like the dark meat of chicken.

I read the afternoon away and finished a great read titled SHANTARAM which I started a couple days ago and it really leads you into lots of history and personal survival issues. Its not for the faint at heart by any means but since I once travelled into India, Pakistan and that area of the world while flying with the USAF I could relate to some of the culture as well as traveling to Australia where the author was from and who actually was a prisoner there at one time; which part of the story is told while in there. Its definitely a man's book. 

I grilled some marinated chicken breast as well as peppers and onions for fajitas for our supper which was delicious, then we got ready to head out to Keswick School to watch grand daughter Ava Mae play flag football. Well once again they played against an all black girls team and they were fast and talented and were ahead by two touch downs going into the last 12 minutes of the game. Our girls seemed to have butter fingers dropping many necessary passes, but one girl made a great catch for us and turned it into a touchdown, but we missed the extra point. The other team with just a few minutes to go were winning 14-6 but we intercepted one of their passes  again and returned it for a touch down but missed the extra point. Now with just a minute to go we intercepted another pass for a touch down and made the extra point, so We won the game and were the district champs. We were disappointed they had the game on Wednesday night as most church schools never schedule any sports, due to mid week church activities so we missed our Wednesday service as well as did many of the student players. It was almost 9 before we got home so it was shower time for me and then some ALONE on the TV until lights out at 10 for me, LATER

Wednesday Morning Apr 16th

 Well Tuesday saw us with another nice morning and evening but heat was back along with more humidity than the past couple of days. I'm sure it will be an inferno of heat and humidity in another few days, but for now its quite enjoyable in the mornings and evenings as we sat outside last evening at Ava's flag football game which they pulled off a win in over time against a vey talented all black girls school, who during basketball season whupped our girls like an ugly step child. Oh well, we move on to play again this coming evening.

I started the day with my usual 5'ish rollout to my usual 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, all seem to be holding and Nancy saw the orthopedic doctor and he says its nothing serious but some muscle strain and some arthritis and walking and exercise is good for her. Praise GOD for that and no surgery is needed.

I headed out around 7 to the Rec for some good pickle ball play which all good players and my Canadian couple who are getting ready to head back north after todays play. LeAnn brought us another beautiful and tasty loaf of sour dough bread of which we immediately after getting home broke into it with butter. I've blessed them with fresh veggies and she to us with this amazing bread, plus I've really enjoy playing and helping them with their game, both of them now playing much better than last year, especially Tim and his serve which has really improved and occasionally serves aces. Today will be their last play until Fall and I will miss their friendship and of course their daily play on the court.

I worked around the gardens and yards and harvested another handful of cucumbers and a few tomato's which the fruit flies haven't ruined. The recently transplanted lettuce seedlings are holding as well and hopefully will make. I'm still harvesting collards and kale as both are still producing. I read for several hours during the hottest part of the day and then we had an early supper of pasta and shrimp before heading out to the school for Ava's game. We were ahead with just seconds to go when they tied it up but then in overtime they couldn't score and we did with an interception. What a game as these same girls were on the basketball team and whupped our girls on the court but it was our girls last night who won, LATER 

Tuesday Morning Apr 15th

Well Monday was another busy day with nice temps for this time of the year and I was able to work in the gardens and yards after an hour or so on the pickle ball court starting around 7:30. My Canadian friends weren't there which is usual for a Monday and they have just another day or so before they leave. I will miss them as they are usually the first players to arrive and are always ready to play, plus she is a great bread maker.

I started the morning with my 5'ish rollout to my routines that begin with some quiet time to honor my lord, Jesus, give thanks for another day and to lift up several I know for comfort and healing, all seem to be holding with this post. It was a late arriving group at the REC so I worked on my serves and hitting against the back wall, warming up until finally folks started drifting and then got in a good workout playing the best 2 out of 3 sets with all fairly good players before heading out for home around 9'ish. I had a wet head and shirt which is always my goal but I still can not get rid of this spare tire, oh well.

I spaded up a couple of furrows in the garden and set out 20 some new lettuce seedlings that had sprouted from a lettuce plant that had gone to seed. They held up well in 6 packs and added a leaf or two in just days and now I hope they mature enough for the salad bowl before we leave the end of May. I did harvest several more cucumbers and black cherry tomato's and gave them to my daughter and family as they came by after school to see the new remodels on the front of the house. They were surprised at how great it made the front porch look with the added wood and new storm door.

I had a guy come by who does wind mitigation and a 4 point inspection of the house for insurance companies as I'm looking to get a new agency, since the last one wants to charge a thousand bucks a month to insure my house, its unbelievable how they raised the rates 300+ percent over last years rate, oh well. I loaded him up with collards and kale as well as he was quite surprised at the veggies still growing in my back yard garden.

Nancy was off to see the chiropractor for her adjustments and today(Tue) she see's an orthopedic doctor about her knee as it has been giving her some pain, which keeps her from working out or at least walking the 'hood during the day for exercise and of course she wants to hike the mountain at our cabin this summer. We cleaned up some leftovers from the two nights in a row when we entertained guest for supper on Friday and Saturday. I hit the shower around 8 and then settled into the ALONE show on TV until lights out at 10 for me, LATER

Monday Morning Apr 14th

 Well Sunday was a great day of worship and then watching grandson Gabe play baseball in Clearwater after church. The temps were kept quiet nice with a stiff breeze out of the north during the day as we first greeted folks at the side of the church and then sat in the bleachers for about 4 hours or so watching two games. More on that later but first I started the day with 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. Nancy is still having some knee issues so she will see a doctor tomorrow for a diagnosis on what needs to be done and how to adjust to this issue while we are in the mountains. So keep her in your thoughts and prayers for healing.

We watched and worshipped the LORD with our online church at Cornerstone Chapel in Virginia and then again in person at our local S.R.B.C. where we so enjoy greeting folks, either at the main doors or on the side doors which gets mostly folks coming from the different study classes across the way. The front doors mainly see folks coming in just for the service at 10:30. We love greeting and meeting folks and some we have met over the years from different churches which is also rewarding as well.

We headed home around noon to have a quick bite of some leftovers before getting ready to head to north Clearwater area which was about 30 minutes away to where Gabe our second grandson was playing baseball in a weekend tournament. They were in the finals after winning 2 games on Saturday and won another game to start the afternoon but got blown away in the finals after several error's in the out field and base running mistakes. They had beaten this same team on Saturday. Gabe scored a run and pitched a little towards the end of the game but by then it was a lost cause. Anyhow we had fun watching him play and a great visit with Katie. Bobby was off on a flight to Arizonia for work so Katie was holding down the fort and driving Gabe and a fellow player back to Brandon. Her folks were keeping the twins as it would have been a long afternoon and the sun was quite bright. We actually used an umbrella for shade at times although the breeze was quite refreshing.

Well after getting back from the game we ate up some leftovers and then I headed out to hand water the gardens and yards and then settled into reading until shower time around 9'ish. Then it was some ALONE time on the bedroom TV until lights out at 10 for me, LATER

Sunday Morning Apr 13th

Well Saturday turned out to be a great day of near perfect temps with the highs only in the upper 70's and a stiff breeze, but with plenty of sunshine. We had the a/c off most of the day until we had company for supper. I started the day with my before 6 rollout as there was no pickle ball 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. Our old friends Patrick and Kathryn came for supper and cards afterwards and she is still suffering from some lung issues and it was obvious last evening it was taking its toll on her health. She turns 70 this week and she has really aged because of covid. At one time she thought she needed a lung transplant but managed to pull through without it.

I piddled around on the internet then read for a couple hour or so after hand watering the gardens as we were heading out after lunch to north Pinellas to watch grandson Gabriel play baseball. We met up with Bobby and then Katie and the twins came as well. We had to leave before the end of the game but their team won the game and then tied in the second game and will play again this afternoon at 2 o'clock, so we will leave church at noon and then grab a quick leftover and head back to watch him play for the championship of the weekend. It was great baseball weather and the wind kept it quite comfortable in the bleachers with the bright sunshine.

I grilled a beautiful salmon fillet and Nancy has asparagus and a garden fresh salad and Kathryn a pasta bowl as well as some garlic bread muffins and Carol had left her cake from the night before so we had plenty of good eatin' to say the least. After wards we settled into 3 rounds out of 4 of hand, knee and foot and the gals were winning big time. It was 8:30 so they soon headed out and we put the kitchen back in order and I hit the shower and then some ALONE time on the TV before lights out at 10, for me, LATER

Saturday Morning Apr 12th

 Well Friday turned out to be another very nice day even during what is usually the hottest part of the afternoon with moderate temps, no humidity and a stiff breeze. 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 then lifted up several by name for comfort and healing. Nancy needs some prayers for healing on her leg which is painful at times and she is scheduled to see an orthopedic clinic next week. It reminds me of the issue I had once with the cyst behind the knee called a Baker's Cyst, oh well. Everyone else is holding with this post.

I headed out to the Rec in my truck carrying a sack of tomato's, kale and collards for my Canadian couple who will soon be leaving for their summer home. I have sure enjoyed watching them( Leann and Tim) get so much better on the pickle ball court as well as their friendship. She is a fabulous bread maker and baker and I have blessed them with some of the bounty from my gardens which they both seemed to enjoy. They will be missed as they are always the first to arrive at the Rec each morning. I got in several good matches and left whupped with a wet head and shirt. I made a stop at the post office to secure and extension on our mail until the end of May when we leave for N.C. and then will have our mail delivered there for the next 5 months.

After getting home I had a small bite of breakfast before heading out to mow the yards and once again hand water the gardens and new sod. The volunteer lettuce seedlings I transplanted into 6 packs are doing quite well and they look as if they will mature before we leave and grace our salad bowl. We were having 12 of our small group from church for a picnic supper with me grilling a dozen burgers and dogs which was all I had room for on the grill and then side dishes of cole slaw, tatter salad, cowboy baked beans and chips plus 3 desserts only one of which was home made and that was Nancy's cheese cake. Everything turned out delicious and we sat and did a devotion on this coming week of passion for Easter week. It was close to 9 when everyone left for home and we put the kitchen back in order. It was easy as we used mostly paper and plastic products with this many folks

I soon hit the shower and watched some ALONE on the bedroom TV until lights out for me at 10, LATER

Friday Morning Apr 11th

 Well the temps were nice again with a stiff breeze unlike the stifling heat from days ago and it made for good working conditions outside after my morning pickle ball matches that ended around 9:30. I started the day with my usual 5'ish rollout to my routines that begin with some quiet moments to honor my lord, Jesus, give thanks for another day and to lift up several by name for comfort and healing, all seem to be holding with this post.

I headed out around 7'ish for the Rec in my truck as its now starting to get day light for close to two hours of constant good pickle ball play with several good players. I was able to win most of my matches with different partners and now that many players have left the area for back home up north we have a good selection of good players especially on T&Th and not nearly as many on MWF. The Rec basically shuts down any morning pickle ball play during the summer due to camps for kids, oh well. We will leave by the time that occurs for the cabin in N.C.

I came back and worked outside in the yards and gardens and then did a second coat of stain on the front porch new additions of wood to cover the iron posts and railings and then did a second coat of paint on the new side garage door. I'm just about finished for any honey-do's for this year, hopefully. Nancy was off at her women's Bible class so I picked her up and we headed to Sam's Club for fuel and some items that we need for tonight small group from church. We picked up ready made steak burgers and buns for about 12 folks for supper with each couple bringing an additional disk. The theme was picnic so we should have cold slaw, tater salad and baked beans, some of my favorite dishes to accompany burgers and dogs which I will do on the grill.

I harvested the last of the green beans for this years planting in Florida until we get back next October. The cucumbers are bearing 2-3 a day and are so delicious. The tomato's are slowing down but I still have couple dozen ripening and the kale and collards are still holding despite the heat. I transplanted 18 romaine lettuce seedlings that came up volunteer in the garden from a plant I let go to seed and they did just that. I still have at least that many more around the plant in the garden proper and if these don't make I'll move them into 6 packs as well. The carrots are ready for harvesting and we will have some for our Easter family get together next week. I'll bless my new Canadian friends who are pickle ball players with some fresh veggies as she blesses us with fresh baked sourdough bread, what a great trade off. They are soon heading back north and will be greatly missed.

 Nancy was off to see the doctor about a pain thats been bothering her knee area for a week or so and after an ultrasound it turns out to be a Bakers Cyst or popliteal cyst, thankfully it wasn't a blood clot which she always seems to think is the reason, especially since I've had a couple of bouts with them and I'm on a blood thinner, oh well.

I headed off with neighbor Dan to our local mens Bible study class at our church until 8'ish then headed home and was soon in the hot shower and then some ALONE SHOW on the bedroom TV until lights out for me at 10'ish.

Thursday Morning Apr 10th

Well Wednesday was an unusual nice day with less heat and humidity as the front that came through and brought us so much needed rain, also brought much lower temps. Great after several days of high heat and humidity. It sort of reminded us of a cabin day in the mountains which hopefully we will encounter in about 50 days or so of which I'm excited about. I started the day with my usual routines that begin with some quiet times to honor Jesus, give thanks for another day and to lift up several by name for comfort and healing, all seem to be holding with post.

I headed up around 7'ish for the Rec in my truck for a good workout on the pickle ball courts winning most of my matches. Lots of snow birds have left and now there is no need to exchange 4 players after each game, as a matter of fact we only had 2 courts in action with only 10 players in attendance in 2 courts being used, wow what a change. Today I'll play again with mostly A players at 7'ish and they too are down as many have left for the season.

I came back and had a bite of breakfast before heading out to check on the gardens and hand water them before we headed out to Home Depot for the stain/paint for the new wood used to box in the old iron porch support post and the wood across the front of the porch where the iron railing use to be. Well, we or Nancy found one she liked so we purchased it and headed home so I could get started on the job which took a couple hours. I'll need to give it a second today. I also painted the new side garage door to match the house and then caught up on a couple small paint jobs as well around the new front storm door. It was a paint day at times using both stain, house paint and some trim paint so the brushes were constantly being cleaned.

I did harvest a nice mess of kale and collards to our neighbors who we have befriended after learning he has helped several of the neighbors with their insurance for both cars and house. Flo who is the mother in her 90's and who Nancy had spoken with several times along with Carol while at the mailbox and Tom her bachelor son live there alone. They seemed quite receptive of the fresh veggies and he had made it known he will help with the house insurance ordeal after a new company sent be an outrageous quote for house insurance, oh well.

We headed out to our local church around 6'ish for the Wednesday evening service and got back home by 8:30. I soon hit the shower and some ALONE time on the TV with lights out at 10, LATER 

Wednesday Morning Apr 9TH

Well Tuesday was a much colder day with rain over night on Monday and still some lingering wetness mostly a mist to start the day, but eventually we saw a little sunshine among the overcast skies which had brought in much cooler temps especially in the evening at the flag football game at 7 PM. We we were donning coats and hoodies by the time the game ended at 8'ish.

I started the day with my usual 5'ish rollout to 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 and healing. All seem to be holding with this post. I headed out to the Rec for a good hour and half of pickle ball play with all good players and left a little early as my friend and handy\man worker Brian was coming to finish up on the front porch work at 9. Well we finished the job before noon and I loaded him up with beets and cucumbers as well as three neighbors with fresh produce from the gardens. One neighbor I learned was an insurance broker so he is going to help me with this outrageous quote for home owners rate which is about a 1K a month through some off shoot company, oh well.

Nancy was off during the morning shopping so before she got home I had already eaten a fresh garden salad for lunch then got ready to head for my monthly chiropractor tune up, so I harvested some tomato's as well as tons of kale and collards for them as well. The tomato's are ripening almost every minute and so the fruit flies are busy ruining almost as many as I'm harvesting. Its been a crazy spring with temps in the 90's for a couple days and now the highs barely got to 70 today after the over night rain which was welcomed, Oh well.

We headed out to Keswick School for the last regular flag football game of the season and Ava along with a couple other seniors were honored before the game and the team beat a local christian school 49-0. Wow what a blow out. We got back to the house around 8:30 and I hit the shower and was soon horizontal watching some ALONE Show on the bedroom TV with lights out at 10, LATER

Tuesday Morning Apr 8th

 Well Monday started out much the usual with my morning 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. There was no pickle ball today for me as my friend and fellow church member was coming to install two doors plus some front porch construction with my help. He came at 9 and worked until 3'ish as he lives about an hour and half north of here and the traffic is usually brutal both coming and going.

Well we hung the outside garage door first and I never would have been able to do this job alone as he knew what he was doing with this pre hung door and then we moved onto the front storm door which again was a big job because of the weight and size of the door plus some additional construction. He is amazing in how he knows how and what to do to make it look great. We took down the iron railing along the front of the porch and will now construct a wood box across the the front and I'll stain like the pillar on the side of the porch which is also iron, but it will be boxed in. We will do that today then I'll find some paint stain to give it the affect Nancy wants for the front. Both new doors added to the look and safety of the house.

Yesterday I got in the mail my new quote for home insurance which tripled in cost from last year to close to 11k for one year, unbelievable. This is robbery at best and I'll start checking around for a better deal or have to pay this amount. I've never in all the years I've been here made a claim and now a new company has taken over the policy, oh well. Seems they want to either drive folks out of the market in Florida or just reclaim all of the damage done in the last storms from new folks clients.

We headed out a little after 6 for Ava's flag football game and they were losing by a touch down the whole game but with just seconds to go they tied it up and it went into over time. There was a play off much like the pro's where each team from the 10 yard line had 4 chances to score and make the extra point. Well each team score in the 4 chances but the other team failed to make the extra point and Keswick won by one point. What a game and the opposing team had lots of fan support as well.

We got back around 8:30 so I hit the shower and watched until half time the Gators vs Houston team and the Gators were down 3 at half. I was whupped after being outside in the sun all day so I hit the bed at 10 and will check the scores later this morning after posting this ramble. I'll do some pickle ball this morning before Brian comes to finish up with my job around 9'ish, LATER

Monday Morning Apr 8th

 Well Sunday was another hot day but a stiff breeze kept it bearable to be outside after a very nice start to the morning, especially as we greeted folks at the front door of our local church in the 10:30 service. The afternoon temps were in the upper 80's but no 90's this day, which is change from the past couple of afternoons. I started the day with my usual routines that begin with some quiet moments to honor my lord, Jesus, give thanks for another day and to lift several up by name for comfort and healing, all seem to be holding. 

I headed out to harvest lots of collards, kale, beets and tomato's to take with us to church to share with several folks who love my fresh veggies and then I hand watered until it was time to watch Cornerstone  Chapel in Leesburg, Va. Gary's younger son Austin, gave a great message as did our pastor Derek at S.R.B.C. Afterwards we met up with Dan and Carol for lunch at the Olive Garden in Largo. It was delicious and held me the rest of the day.

We came back and chilled and then watched the final women's basketball game on the TV which Tyler and Ava went to Tampa to watch in person. U.Conn wiped the floor with the number 1 seed, S. Carolina by 20 points and at one time was up nearly 40 points.I didn't really care except I was pulling for the lesser of the two seeds and tonight the mens final is happening as well. It will be Florida vs Houston, of course we will be pulling for the gators.

I hand watered before dark and then harvested our first 4 cucumbers and another half dozen tomato's as well. I took neighbor Andrew and Melissa over some collards and tomato's who bless us with fresh fish he catches in the Gulf at times. All of these tomato's that are ripening now, except for the black cherry ones are all volunteers that came up in the garden of which I transplanted long after the ones I bought from Lowes. They are producing like crazy and if I could just control the fruit flies I could set up a veggie stand in front of the house.

Well this morning there will be no pickle ball as Brian, the fellow who did our bathrooms and is a handy man is coming to help me set two doors; an outside garage door and a storm door on the front and then build a wooden box around the iron railing on the front porch which I will stain later. Its one of Nancy and Betsy's creations and I had to drive through neighborhoods looking at tons of houses which have that affect, Oh well its another HGTV addition. I'm not sure he will get all of them complete today, so that may interrupt pickle ball tomorrow as well.

We have a flag football game this evening at 7 at Keswick and it will depend on if we go together and on how long Brian intends to work, LATER

Sunday Morning Apr 6th

 Well Saturday was another hot muggy day after a pleasant start and it ended with nice temps after the sun set as a stiff breeze kept it comfortable, but I'm so longing for some mountain weather to get away from this high heat and humidity, which is coming hopefully in about a month and a half. 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. All seem to be holding with this post.

We had to be in Brandon which is just outside Tampa for our twin grand sons base ball game at 9 AM, both of them got hits and played better than the last time we saw them play, but lost the game after winning big on Tuesday night. The team they played has the most wins for the season, but they lost to us in the first game of the season, oh well. After the game we came back on the cross town toll road and it to was shut down to stop and go traffic;  there are just too many folks living in this area. We did stop at Lowes in Largo to get two boards that our first Lowes store was out of at nearly 27 bucks a board. Whats with the price of lumber today as it is out of site. Anyhow we came back home and had a nice salad for our lunch and a can of sardines which Nancy and I both love with mustard and onions. I grilled venison burgers for our supper around 6'ish which we excellent in flavor.

I chilled the rest of the afternoon except for hand watering the gardens and new sod, then harvested some lettuces for neighbors and Amy as well as some tomato's as they are ripening daily. I'm having to pick them just as they show some color because the nasty fruit flies attack them and ruin them quickly despite dusting them with Sevin, oh well. I started a read my son, Bobby gave me titled SHANTARAM by Gregory Roberts and its a real page turner. Its an excellent read with tons of history and culture with the setting in Bombay, India. It's really a great read thus far about an escapee from a New Zealand prison who ends up in India and starts a new life there.

Well I watched the Florida college basketball team beat out a very tough Auburn team and Duke was ahead when I went to bed at 10'ish. The Lightning and the Rays both lost their respective games away from home and today Tyler and Ava head to Amalie stadium to watch the finals in women's basketball with S. Carolina vs U. Conn. We will watch it on TV, LATER

Saturday Morning Apr 5th

 Well heat and humidity is back and its starting to feel like July in the afternoon. It does get pleasant by late afternoon and evening to where its bearable to be outside as is the early mornings, but mid day its very hot, oh well. In about 50 some days we will hopefully be in the mountains and I'm looking forward to not only the temps but the landscape as well.

I started the day with my usual 5'ish rollout to my routines that begin with some quiet moments to honor my lord, Jesus, give thanks for another day and to lift up several by name and now Nancy is having some health issues, so keep her in your prayers as well. Everyone else seems to be holding with this post. I headed out to the Rec on my bike for close to two hours of pickle ball play and the crowds have really thinned out to just 9 players this morning, whereas we were having close to 20 on any given MWF mornings. Lots of folks have left for up north where its starting to warm up.

I came home and piddled around in the gardens and yards hand watering and harvesting the tomato's which have suddenly decided to ripen, so I'm back to giving them away once again, especially the black cherry ones. They are delicious and are ripening as I make this post it seems. I'm harvesting a couple dozen almost daily along with the larger ones which the fruit flies don't ruin. I'm dusting them with Sevin dust but they still seem to find a way to destroy them, oh well.

We headed to Lowes after filling up at Sam's Club which the price jumped back up to 3 bucks again. I was hoping with the new era of drill baby drill would start to bring it back down, oh well. Lets hope the tariffs work out for America and put more cash in our pockets or at least stop the ripping off of us on the trade deals. I think Trump and DOGE are exposing so much waste and corruption that eventually after some short term hurt America will become solvent again.

We bought some lumber and two doors for the last of the remodels on the house here in Florida, hopefully  for years, except for some general maintenance. Its been big this last year of spending tons on the house and yards and hopefully that will hold Nancy to her HGTV remodels, oh well. I chilled until it was time to head over to the Botbyl's as they were celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary with us and the Nymark's. Nancy bought a cake and the Nymark's brought a bottle of champagne and Dan had fillets on the grill as well as fried sweet taters and a salad. Afterwards we played almost two complete games of hand, knee and foot, which we guys won the first round so big we never played the 4th hand and the girls barely won the third round in the second game as time was running out for us and the Nymark's, as they were heading to Orlando early this morning to pick up their daughter and hubby and spending the night there. I'm sure they are on the road now as I make this post.

Well we got back to the house around 9:30 and it was shower time for me and then a few minutes of ALONE on the tv before lights out around 10'ish. Today or this morning we have to be in Tampa at 9 for the twins baseball game and then back home for another Lowes stop for a couple items we couldn't get yesterday, LATER

Friday Morning Apr 4th

 Well summer time heat and humidity is here and it looks like its here until next October when it will change back to being pleasant outside in the afternoon, oh well. I started the day much the usual with 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 on my bike for the first time this new year for a couple hours of some good pickle ball play. I missed riding the bike but now that its starting to get light earlier, I think I'll get back to that added exercise as well. I had a good workout with some great play and after winning all of my matches with different partners I made a quick stop at the library before heading on home. Nancy was off to her Bible study class so I had the morning all to myself and got lots done.

I had watered the gardens and yards as it needs it now at least every morning and again in the late afternoon as the sun is strong. I harvested our first mess of green beans from this second planting as well as a couple more beets. I got them both ready for the pot as well. The beets are so delicious and we just love them along with their tops in the salad bowl. I did harvest a couple more larger tomato's before the fruit flies ruin them as they are starting to turn. I noticed several cucumber will be ready in a day or so for harvesting as well.

After working in the yards and gardens I headed in to check up on Israel and the world news until Nancy got back from her meeting and then we had a salad with the last of the store bought cooked chicken on it which held me until supper. She was off again in  the afternoon Easter shopping for the grands. I got word Brian my helper who did out bathrooms is coming on Monday to help me with the doors and the front remodel of the iron works on the front porch. He and I will build a wood frame covering up the 50's works and then I will stain it. So this afternoon I'll head to Lowes for doors and lumber for these update remodels, oh well. I'm not sure what Nancy has in mind for my next project but HGTV is her go to place for ideas.

Well the beans, beets and tatter's loaded with fresh parsley from the garden was delicious. Everything including the tatters came from the gardens. After the clean up I picked up neighbor Dan and we headed over to church for the Mens Bible class until 8'ish then headed home. I soon hit the shower and then some ALONE Show on the bedroom TV before lights out at 10, LATER 

Thursday Morning Apr 3rd

 Well its summer time once again with high heat and humidity and it was quite prevalent yesterday. I started the day much the usual 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 the loss of several FHP retirees who have passed the last day or so. Some I knew and worked with over the 30 years I was a member of that group of proud LEO's who severed Florida with pride. Most of those I lift up daily are holding with this post.

I headed out around 7 AM for the REC for close to two hours of pickle ball play and exercise and left with a wet head and shirt after winning all of my matches with different partners. Many players are leaving as they are snow birds so the numbers on MWF are lessening and the wait on those days is decreasing as well. I still love playing the game even if its with some beginners on those days as I'm mainly getting exercise while loving the game and helping them with theirs.

I came back and hand watered the gardens then mowed the yards and piddled around outside while Nancy was off shopping for Easter baskets for the grands. Once again my shirt was soaked by the time I finished so at least I'm losing some weight by sweating just not the spare tire. I read the afternoon away and then harvested lettuces for us that needed cutting as the heat is taking its toll on them and then some collards for a friend at church which we took with us at 6:30 for our Wednesday evening get together. Nancy was off after lunch for her high price hair do over, which did look great as it took out all the grey, but still at 145 plus tip, yikes.

It was after 8:30 before we got back to the house from church and then it was shower time and some ALONE on the bedroom TV before lights out at 10

Wednesday Morning Apr 2nd

Well Tuesday was another now normal day with high heat and lots more humidity replacing those chilly morning and evenings that we enjoyed a few weeks back, oh well. That means we are getting closer to leaving for the cabin in a few weeks and those chilly mornings and evenings. I can not wait.

I started the day much the usual with an early morning 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. All seem to be holding with this post. I headed out to the Rec for close to two solid hours of pickle ball play and my game was on against all really nice players winning with different partners all my matches and left with a wet head and shirt. Wow, did it ever feel great with those endorphins you develop with strenuous exercise. I got back to the house around 9'ish and had an avocado toast with olive oil and cracked pepper with an egg on top, Wow, that has now become my all favorite breakfast. That held me until we headed over to the Nymark's along with another couple for a chicken salad lunch before we settled into a game of hand, knee and foot. The gals were beating us the first two rounds but we came back after being down 16 K points in the first round to lose by just a few points by the end of the fourth round, oh well. I'm glad they won for a change as we guys whupped them silly the last time we played.

It was good to hear Mike and Dee got on their way home with a new Chevy truck pulling their camper and will now not have to worry about another break down for a couple years or at least the expense since this new truck will be under warranty. I piddled around in the gardens and yards and then washed our truck and vacuumed it out as it was in need of a bath and a good cleaning. I sweated like a preacher going to a watermelon meeting as the sun was hot and the air full of humidity. Once that was done I hand watered the new sod and then got ready to head over to Sheri and Steve's for lunch and games. We played until 2'ish when Steve had to leave and pick up the grands from school so we came home and I chilled reading until it was a snack for our supper since we had such a large lunch. We got ready and then left the house for Keswick School to watch Ava Mae play flag football. They never scored on her and the team won big by 30 points.

It was nearly 8:30 before we left the game so it was shower time and then some ALONE for me on the bedroom TV until lights out at 10, LATER

Tuesday Morning April 1st

 Well Monday started out with overcast skies and it didn't really get much better which did keep the high heat away which has come back into the area. It's starting to feel like summer time here in central Florida  with pleasant mornings and late evening but high heat with high humidity mid day and afternoon, oh well. That's just the main reasons we head for the mountains in about 50 some days which is definitely calling us.

I started the day with my usual early morning 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 also for sister Dee and Mike who broke down on the way home. It seems their truck was 6 years old and so it gave out for some reason pulling their camper at least near an area where they could get help and hopefully on their way in a day or so. Everyone else is doing as well as can be expected. I headed out to the Rec for a good workout on the pickle ball courts and left with a wet head and shirt around 9'ish. Nancy was up and about to have breakfast, so I had a late breakfast with her which has become our favorite; sourdough bread toasted with avocado and an egg, sprinkled with olive oil and then some ground black pepper, wow what a feast and its definitely good for ya. That basically held us until suppertime when I grilled pork chops except for some snacks during the afternoon. I read the rest of the afternoon and the world news on Israel and whats happening in the middle east.

We headed out around 6'ish for Keswick School to watch Ava play flag football and she had an interception and their team won by 10 points over a very good school. There was quite a crowd on hand as well from our school and the other team as well. We met some old friends we hadn't seen in ages from Ava's church who came to support her as well. We chatted the evening away while watching the game. It was close to 8:30 before we got home so it was shower time and then some ALONE time on the bedroom TV until lights out at 10 for me, LATER