Monday Morning June 30th

 Well this month flew by as we have been here now for 5 weeks or so and summer is upon us and really as the days start to get shorter it won't be long until we will be thinking of cooler temps and fall weather, oh well. I started the day with my usual before 6 rollout, really much closer to a 5'ish roll out with Nancy's snoring. She is back in bed after a couple nights of sleeping on the couch, but does give me a whole night of sleeping alone especially when I need to catch back up on at least 8 hours of deep sleep, oh well.

We headed out around 9:30 for church after watching our on line service at Cornerstone Chapel in Leesburg, Va. , but first I did my usual morning quiet time of honoring my lord, Jesus, give thanks for another day and to lift up several by name for comfort and healing. All seem to be holding with this post. I did take a walk around the yards and gardens checking on any deer damage and found none as well as checked on the maturing of several veggies which are doing quite well despite no rain except for a 2 minute sprinkle. There have been hard rains all around us, but seems to dissipate before reaching our mountain, oh well. I'm back to hand watering almost daily once again.

Pastor B at Cornerstone in Sparta did a good message on Moses with a series titled 40 days and 40 nights as those numbers are mentioned several times in the Bible and last weeks was on the great flood when it rain those day and nights and the building of the Ark. After church we met up with the Frankis Family at the Pizzeria for a delicious salad and personal pan pizza which we all love and for just 10 bucks each. That meal held me for the rest of the day and evening except for a hand full of nuts and some dark chocolate around 7'ish and a glass of vino. We made another grocery stop at the Food Lion and hugged the neck of the part time neighbor manager who has become a friend over the years. We picked up some bogo's before heading home in a rain storm at times and did see a few sprinkles at the cabin but not enough to pour out of the rain gauge.

I sat and watched the Ray's lose a game after winning on Saturday and they split the series with the Orioles but are still within a game or two from the division leaders, the Yanks, oh well. This coming week will be busy as I Rocky proof the veggie and flower gardens as he will arrive on Saturday and the Nymark's arrive on Thursday with two grands which means cards and meals each night and then Amy and Family arrive with Rocky on Saturday evening, plus we will have a cook out Friday and then fireworks in Sparta that night, plus Nancy has a hair appointment on Tuesday, yikes we will be back in town almost every day this coming week, oh well. I want to mow and edge before they all arrive as well, so it will be a busy week none the less.

We were going to play some one on one cards but the decks were all messed up so we sorted out 12 to 15 decks of cards which took over an hour and it was nearly 10 before we finally finished, so it was shower time for me and then some horizontal lab shortly thereafter, later this evening (mon)we will attend the Bible class at church from 7-9, LATER

Sunday Morning June 29th

Well Saturday was a stay at home kind of day that was another warm one but not as hot as the past couple of days due to rain clouds in the area with thunder at times but no rain, so I'm still hand watering the gardens every morning. I harvested a huge mess of butter crunch lettuces and gave away three grocery bags of it to neighbors. It was basically a work around the cabin kind of day as I did no major projects, just piddly gardening things that found me hoeing and transplanting some wayward flowers into pots in hopes of transplanting them into the circle drive bed.

I had started the day with my usual before 6 rollout to some 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. I headed out after day break to check on the gardens and flower beds, all seem to be holding as well and no visible deer damage except for one area where I don't have one of those solar deer detractor devices. I'll move one from another area to cover it, if it continues. I now have small squashes, cukes and tomato's showing some fruit as well as jalapeno peppers and of course the leafy greens are exploding as well. We have been here just a little over a month and the gardening are finally showing good results. On my way back from delivering lettuces I stopped at Mike and Linda's place and loaded up the golf cart with sawed up wood for the camp fire which had been blown down from the storms last winter and he has stacked it along the road and wanted to be rid of it.

Nancy was in the kitchen baking and cooking all day long as she was preparing a meal for a church member and his family who is now not doing well with a brain tumor. She made tater salad, peanut butter cookies and a baked ham plus rolls, so they can eat on for days if need me. We will drop it off at church this morning so it can be delivered to him and his family. He is 59 and been suffering from it for the past couple years, but it now has him in a death grip.

Well as the afternoon grew warmer we turned the a/c on, especially after the oven heated up the cabin and so I settled into the Ray's afternoon game and after losing the night before in a game they were at one time up 8-0 and lost 22-8 and now this game they were up 9-0 and ended up winning 11-3 against a tough Oriole team in Baltimore, oh well. The pitching must have been horrible in that last loss.

Today its corporate worship at Cornerstone in Sparta and then before it on line with Cornerstone Chapel in Leesburg, Va. with Gary Hamrick. It will probably be the Pizzeria for lunch afterwards with the Frankis Family and then another stop for items at the Food Lion before heading back to the cabin. Steve and Sheri and two grands arrive on Thursday for a week or so and we will probably eat and play games in the evening hours and celebrate the 4th on Friday night with a cook out and then off to Sparta for the fireworks around 9'ish. I don't have any major project going except to mow before Amy and family arrive next Saturday for about 2 weeks off and on as they will leave Rocky their bull mastiff and visit family in Tennessee for several days. I do need to start putting wire fences around a couple flower beds and garden patches as he has a tendency to run through them, LATER

Saturday Morning June 28th

 Well Friday was another warm day with some rain clouds around but none really graced our land with any except for maybe a sprinkle or two. I hand watered in the early morning before we headed off to Galax again for some items we couldn't find here in the local grocery, plus a couple items I needed from Lowes. We were back around lunch time. Later in the evening we headed up to The Frankis place for supper and games until nearly 10 o'clock.

I started the day with my usual before 6 rollout to my routines that begin with some quiet times to honor my lord, Jesus, give thanks for another day and to lift up several by name for comfort and healing, all seem to be holding with this post. I headed outside after day break to check on the gardens and yards and every thing looked great with no deer damage, but I'm disappointed in the flower beds where we sowed wild flower seeds as the grasses and weeds seem to be growing more that those Burpee seeds which were rather expensive. I'll not use their products again as they do not seem to be germinating.

We checked out Katelyn's garden in the evening and it huge with lots of plants and seems to be doing fine and maturing. She has a bean which they love and I remember from my youth called wax beans. They spoke of how delicious they are and I'm going to try them next year. My cukes are blooming as are the tomato's, peppers and squashes and I need to cut lettuces this morning as well. Gardening here in this mountain soil is as almost as rewarding as the Florida soil and hold moisture much longer than the sandy soil in Florida, but I do love gardening in both places and the rewards are worth all of the work, plus we get to bless others with the produce as well as our own health.

I did dig up some cone flower seedlings that never get very large under a large shrub in the back woods yard and potted them in hopes they will mature and I'll transplant them in the circle driveway bed. We have another bunch of perennials wild flower seeds coming from a different vendor to sow there as well. I'm not sure why the zinnia seeds never germinated in that bed as only a couple dozen made it and I transferred them into the bed off the front porch. 

Today I'm going to add poles for the beans to climb on in the upper garden as we don't have to go anywhere and will have an evening at home. The evening at Jake and Katelyn's was fun and the food was delicious as Nancy made her famous yellow squash casserole and Katelyn had smoked chicken wings and mac and cheese. Afterwards we settled in to a game of hand, knee and foot and while the lead changed a couple of times the guys pulled it out at the end as the gals failed to make their required books and it was a come from behind win for us, for a change. We headed out shortly thereafter as it was almost 10 and got back to the cabin in about 35 minutes or so. We did see a few deer along the way and few other critters and only one car on the road all the way home. What a difference coming home from Bobby's at about the same hour of the evening when thats all you see is vehicles.

I soon hit the shower and was really for some horizontal lab before 11 and I'm not sure when Nancy called it a night. She catches up on her sleep in the mornings as I'm an early riser and early to bed usually by 10 at the latest unless we have company or visiting away from the cabin,  and she is just the opposite, LATER

Friday Morning June 27th

Well Thursday was another hotter than normal day but not as bad as its been the past couple of days as we got a brief rain shower but there was more of an upper high cloud cover than usual. The brief rain was so brief I could actually count the drops on the bed cover of the truck but, with lots of thunder in the distance, oh well it did drop the temps to where they usually are this time of the summer.

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 several up by name for comfort and healing, all seem to be holding with this post. I headed out after day break to check on the gardens and flower beds for any deer damage and those devices must be working, thankfully. We saw tons of deer out on the road on our way back from our couples Bible class last evening, so when we got home around 9'ish I headed out to turn them on. I've found leaving them off during the day so the batteries can recharge during the day light hours adds to their strength of the light and sound emitted during the night time hours.

I picked raspberries again and then weeded one flower beds and transplanted some zinnias into it because for some reason many of my seeds from last years crop never germinated, not sure why but the one bed was very limited in seedlings. The Orkin guy came and did the inside and outside for us which is the first time since last October for the inside, but the outside evidence of black ants is none, thankfully.

I took an hour or so and sat outside on the deck doing my workbook for the Bible study class later in the evening. We decided to have a snack around lunch time as we decided to eat an early supper around 3'ish due to Nancy's tummy issues and being with a group meeting which fine with me. We decided to play a game of hand, knee and foot after lunch as I didn't want to get started in any big project of which there aren't many that are necessary, so we played three rounds and while I was ahead after the second round she won so big the third round that I decided I couldn't catch her and we stopped and had our late lunch early supper which was a leftover snapper fish sandwich and some chips, delicious.

I loaded up 4 sacks of garbage for the landfill and my library books and dropped Nancy off at Food Lion in Sparta for some items one of which they didn't have, smoked ham. Nancy is cooking a meal for a shutin and notified the family she would bring a ham and all the fixin's so now today Friday, we are back in Galax at Wal-Mart for a ham, oh well. I need a 50 amp breaker for the generator setup as well as an oil change for the truck so hopefully I can take care of both while we are there. This evening we are invited out to Jake and Kathlyn's for supper and cards which is always fun  and good eatin' with our mountain family we have adopted.

After getting home from our class I checked on the Ray's game in Kansas and it was over but with another shutout win for the Ray's at 4-0, Go Rays. It was soon shower time and lights out for me around 10'ish. Nancy actually came to bed with me for a change and her snoring wasn't bad until this morning when just before I awakened around 5, LATER

Thursday Morning June 26th

 Well Wednesday was mainly a work around the cabin and some visiting with neighbors and a trip to the top of the mountain after supper. It was another rather hot day for the mountains with temps in the 90's and so after lunch it was basically stay inside in the a/c cabin or in the cool basement where it stayed some where in the 60's.

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 checked all of the social media and news on Fox while Nancy slept in so I was out the door checking on the gardens and hand watering the gardens and flower beds all before any breakfast. I had a bowl of black raspberries from the day before's picking waiting for me, so with some oatmeal, cinnamon, honey, banana and pecans I ate well to start the day's gastric juices flowing which held me until 1'ish when I finished the last of the dried beans for lunch. Neighbors in Florida before we left gave us two large packs of grouper and snapper they had caught so we thawed out one for our supper which was so delicious. I fried them in olive oil outside on the grill's burner which keeps the smell out of the house and there is enough leftover for a sandwich for lunch today

I fired up the 4 cycle weed eater and worked on the tall grasses and weeds down by the wine berry bushes which I know when the grands get here in less than two weeks they will be down there picking berries and I didn't want them in the high weeds and grasses. I worked on several areas I know they will be playing in with their dog Rocky. I also fired up the new chain saw for the first time that Bobby purchased for me a couple weeks ago. It's a small 12 inch blade and very lite but perfect for what I need as my old saw is 20 years or more old and is good for any large trees which I don't intend on cutting down or up. This small saw is perfect for what I need around here.

We took the golf cart out to check on the mail and stopped and visited for an hour or more with Grant and Shirley. It was a good visit and we guys rubbed in our victory over them last night in Sequence games. Mike another neighbor was visiting as well as we made plans to hook up my new generator when he comes back in a week or so. I ordered the necessary cord, receptacle and breaker for the electrical box on line as no one carried them in two stores up here, oh well. I've yet to fire up the generator but want to have it in case its needed like last summer when the hurricane left us several hours with out power.

Well I piddled around in the gardens and yards at various times during the day and the evening ride to the top of the mountain found up video chatting with neighbor Carol in Seminole. It was hailing at home during a severe thunder storm and we were watching it live, wow that was a first in many years with hail falling from the skies in 90's heat. We saw no one on top but did see where a younger single man has purchased a mini house and plans to live in it on property adjacent to our back line. Several neighbors here have met him but so far we haven't. It looks to be about 8 ft wide and 15 to 18 ft long and so far he has it blocking the access road that runs along our property line in back which we never use. Hopefully it works out for him and in the future.

I tuned into the Ray's game in Kansas and they pitched a shutout with a 3-0 win over the Royals. It was soon shower time and some horizontal lab for me as I awakened around 5'ish to learn Nancy slept on the couch due to her snoring. I least now I'm getting a good nights sleep, LATER

Wednesday Morning June 25th

 Well Tuesday was about as hot as I've seen it here in many a moon and I do believe its supposed to be that way again today, but then some rain is in the forecast for a couple of days so that should cool it down a little. It was a work morning and then get ready for neighbors for a supper and games afterwards and it turned out well especially as the guys dominated for a change, of course we had to have a gal play on our team as we were one feller short and then after a couple(Mike and Linda) left old Harvey(white rabbit) had to play two hands. Great fun and good eatin' as well.

I had started the day with my usual 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 by name for comfort and healing, all seem to be holding with this post. I headed out to check on the gardens after day light and they to also looked great with no deer damage despite knowing they are around as evidence by some tracks. I think maybe those solar devices are working and now I shut them off during the day so the batteries can get recharged for the night time use.

I hand watered the gardens and flower beds in the early morning before breakfast while Nancy gets up and does her morning devotions then we have a bite to eat and then I headed out after donning some long sleeve shirt and pants to harvest black raspberries. Well I picked almost two full colanders of them and Nancy rinsed them and put them in containers so we can make jelly later this week. I'll pick again as there are still tons of red berries to turn and with this heat they are doing that almost daily. I did notice a couple small yellow squash starting to mature and now have more green beans up. I did harvest some red leaf lettuce, Swiss chard and basil for the salad bowl for our supper that went along with grilled pork chops and oven tatters, Linda brought a cheesy pineapple dish and Shirley brought a cream sickle pie and Elaine some watermelon and dinner rolls. We ate high on the hog.

After eating we got into the best of 5 games of Sequence with Elaine playing with the guys as Grand had an important phone call during supper. Mike and Linda had never played this game and picked it up very quickly but left after we guys prevailed with Elaine's help. Grant finally finished his call and then finished his supper and we played another best of 3 games with me playing a Harvey Hand and the guys won that as well. What a way to start the summer games as the gals always manage to win. 

Well it was going on 10'ish when we called it a night and everyone left so it was time to hit the shower after checking on the Ray's game in Kansas and they were winning 5-1. I soon hit the sack as Nancy was going to try and sleep in bed with me instead of the couch as her snoring is terrible, but if I can get to sleep before she comes in I can get at least a few hours of rest before she awakens me, oh well LATER

Tuesday Morning June 24th

 Well Monday was a busy day that saw us away from the cabin for the biggest part of the day and evening as first we were in Galax, Va. for shopping and then in the evening at Cornerstone for our respective Bible study classes; but first I started the day with my 5'ish rollout to start the day. I then did my usual routines that begin with some quiet times to honor my lord, Jesus, give thanks for another day and to lift up several by name for comfort and healing. All seem to be holding with this post. I headed out to check on the gardens and yards after doing some stretching on the back porch and donning my gum boots as the dew is quite heavy here in the mornings. The gardens look great all except for the two egg plants so I took them out of the ground and repotted them in hopes of saving them.

We headed out for Galax around 9:30 and it was after 1:30 before getting back as we made several stops in town as I was looking for some items to have the generator up and running if we need it this year; but after checking with Harbor Freight and Lowes they had none in store so it looks as if I'll be ordering those items on line, oh well. I did get a few items at Lowes for the new chain saw son Bobby purchased for me. I had dropped Nancy off at Wal-Mart to shop while I ran some errands and then came back to meet her with a shopping cart full of goodies. We loaded up the truck then made one more stop at the veggie stand for some goodies before heading back to the cabin.

The perfect morning temps had now turned hot with temps in the 90's yikes that is so unusual for here as there is some kind of heat dome that has taken over the atmosphere these next couple of days. Thankfully we have the mini split a/c which keeps us quite comfortable, plus I have the always cool basement which I can retire to when working outside and want to rest for a few minutes to cool off. I had purchased some new seeds at the farm store in Galax so I sowed some new black seeded Simpson lettuce seeds as well as some new half runner bean seeds as some of my old seeds didn't germinate. I had hand watered the gardens early in the morning and while there was some wilting due to the high heat everything looked good. I'll pick rasp berries this morning(tues) and hand water again as well as harvest some lettuces as we entertain neighbors this evening with supper and card games.

We will make jelly in the next day or so as the berries are ripening and oh so delicious as we purchased some items necessary for that ordeal which is a big deal. The kids and grands love the results as do we as well. I'm getting excited for Amy and family to come around the 5th of July so we are once again stocking up for them and I'll need to get the fences up around the gardens to keep Rocky from running through them. We will watch him for a few days while they visit family from Kansas in Tennessee. Its always a fun time with him as he likes to run and play on the hills.

Well after getting back from church I soon hit the shower and was ready for some horizontal lab alone as Nancy is now sleeping on the leather couch every other night to give me at least a good nights sleep from her incessant snoring, LATER

Monday Morning June 23rd

 Well Sunday was a great day of worship both on line and then at our local church in Sparta and lunch out once again at the local Mexican eatery with the Frankis Family and then in the afternoon we made a visit to a neighbor for some front porch sitting and talking. It did get rather warm in the afternoon after a beautiful morning with mild temps and very little humidity.

I started the day with my usual before 5'ish rollout to my routines that begin with some quiet times to honor my lord, Jesus, give thanks for another day and then to lift up several by name for comfort and healing. All seem to be holding as we've heard nothing to the contrary. I ventured out after posting this ramble  to stretch on the back porch before walking around the yards and checking on the veggie and flower gardens. Everything looked good despite seeing a full grown deer in the backwoods that was walking around. I didn't notice any tracks in the gardens so just maybe those devices that are solar powered and motion detectors that send out a high pitch sound and a light are working. I sure hope so as the garden is just about in full bloom with the squash, peppers, tomato's and cucumbers all showing blooms which hopefully will produce some fruit. The lettuces are looking good as well as are the two kale plants and the 5 Swiss chards plants. The recently sowed lettuce seeds didn't germinate nor did the morning glory seeds, oh well.

We headed to church around 9:30 and saw some folks we hadn't seen in 7 months or more and heard a good message from Pastor B on the great flood with Noah and the building of the Ark. There was a short video on the Ark Encounter and it showed the size and depth of this vessel which saved him and family as well as several of the animal kingdom. There is physical evidence of the massive wooden structure found in Turkey which is where the Bible mentions it came to rest. Very intriguing as well. Afterwards we headed out to the Pizzeria but the wait was 30 minutes for a table so we headed out to the Mexican eatery once again where there was no wait for a table to sit the 7 of us. The salsa and chips are a meal in and of themselves and the combo I had of enchiladas, rice and beans and salad held me the rest of the day and evening except for a glass of vino around 7.

We did take a golf cart ride to the top of the mountain and spoke with Billy for a few before coming back down the golf cart trail to the cabin. We wondered around outside checking on the gardens as the evening shade made it comfortable but the a/c was on in the cabin and stayed on until this morning when I open the window behind me as I post this blog. Today Monday we head to Galax, Va. for some shopping at Lowes, Harbor Freight and of course Wal-Mart before heading back to the cabin and then back out to church for our Monday evening mens Bible class. The temps are supposed to be well above average for this week as well and no rain so maybe I'll need to give the gardens a drink this morning before we head out, LATER

Sunday Morning June 22nd

 Well Saturday started out with a 5'ish rollout after finally a good nights sleep as Nancy slept on the couch so I could get some sleep from her snoring and I finally felt rested for a change, but last night she was back in bed and the snoring had me awake at 3'ish and that was the end of sleep for last night, oh well.

Saturday was a work day until 5'ish when we headed down to the Heglar place where the small creek runs through their property for a wienie roast and where all the grands love to play in the water, but first I did 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 are holding that we know of with this post.

I headed out to piddled around in the gardens and yards after breakfast and stayed outside spreading some weed and grass killer with a sprayer around the fire circle and the driveway areas. I did some hoeing and weeding in some of the veggie beds and noticed blooms on the cucumbers and yellow squash plants. I trimmed all of the lower leaves on the tomato plants as the less air that circulates at the base of the plants allows for fungus and other issues that cause blossom end rot or at least thats what the pro's tell me. The black raspberries will need picking again in the next day or so and then its jelly making time for the kids and grands who will be here in a couple weeks.

I did take a couple hours off after lunch to watch the Ray's on the TV and once again whip the Tigers who are one of the best teams in MLB, 8-3. The bats have come to life with the team and now are just a couple games out of first place in their division. The temps here have been awesome especially in the mornings but overnight Nancy has the a/c on because she is afraid to leave the windows open in fear of a bear trying to get in the cabin, oh well. I cut it off as soon as we get up and let the fresh air which is usually in the low 60's into the cabin.

Well we took the corn hole boards with us to the wienie roast and got in a game with 3 other fellers. It seems since the older we get there is less interests in the game except for me. It was an occasion to celebrate Grants 74th birthday, who is a great feller but has some health issues along with his wife Shirley. Both are Jesus lovers and very conservative as well. Speaking of conservative Potus Trump had the USAF bomb the nuclear sites in Iran last evening, destroying three of the ones deep under ground and the IDF is taking out many missile sites as well, killing all of their top leaders. It's time for them to take out the evil leader and let the folks of Iran have their country back. I'm hoping its a regime change for the better as this muslim terrorist is brutal and a barbarian killing any and all who oppose their theocratic ideology as well as promoting hatred for Israel and the USA.

Well we got back to the cabin before dark and I hit the shower and wanted to watch Trump's message to the world about taking out the nuclear sites in Iran with bunker busting bombs. It was short and to the point but the left will make hay with his decision to save the world from these barbarians who send missiles into civilian areas in Israel whereas the IDF is taking out military folks and sites. I believe the dem's support anyone one who hates America and Trump.

Today is corporate worship day first online and then again at Cornerstone and we will probably have lunch out somewhere in Sparta with the Frankis Family and then a stop at the Food Lion for some specials as we are entertaining several on Tuesday for supper and games. The fun and eating never stops here in the mountains. It was good to reconnect with several folks at the wienie roast last evening as its been years since we last saw a couple of folks and some we had never met before. Our little community here in the mountains is close and all love Jesus, Trump and America, LATER

Saturday Morning June 21st..longest day of the year.. summer equinox

Well Friday was a busy day that started early for me because of Nancy's incessant snoring which had me awake around 3'ish and I just could not get back to sleep, oh well. I was tired all day long and did tons of 5 minute cat naps so last night she made the decision to sleep on the couch which is very comfortable and I got in nearly 8 hours of good sleep.

I did my usual routines on Friday morning that started with some quiet times to honor my lord, Jesus, give thanks for another day and to lift several up by name for comfort and healing, all seem to be holding with this post. While Nancy still snored and slept I headed out to check on the gardens for any deer damage and saw none. It went a whole day with out rain, finally despite some large clouds that kept the temps very comfortable. After a breakfast of oatmeal for a change with some cinnamon, honey and some nuts and raisins I headed out to some garden work and take down the the fence around the berry patch as we wanted to pick them and we got at least a quart or more of black raspberry's on our first pickings. I think this is the 3 or 4 th year for them maturing from slips from our old friends on top of the mountain who are long gone.

I fired up the riding mower and spent the next 2 hours or so mowing all of the yards which have really taken off with all of the rain this past week, especially the backwoods yard which seems to be getting larger each year. Thankfully the riding mower is perfect for that area and for all of the yards which I have to mow up and down due to the steepness of the yards. There are only a few areas I can mow sideways that are not as steep and I can keep both wheels on the ground at the same time, oh well. It was after 1 before I finished and then I had a bowl of leftover died beans for lunch which are still one of my favorite veggies.

I now have extra marigolds up in a couple areas other than the fire circle bed. Those plants are adding leaves daily as are most of the seeds that have sprouted and showing some green. The tomato's and peppers are showing blooms as well and the lettuces are doing nicely along with the Swiss chard. The wineberries are showing lots of pods which will soon open and give us some berries in a week or so and the blue berries are getting larger as well but still green. It's shaping up to be a good year for berries as we are already picking the black raspberries. I think we will make at least one batch of jelly for the kids as they love it.

Well we took off after and hour or so after lunch to seek out a new ice cream place out near us called the Barn. Its run by a couple who should be retired but built a neat place and while originally designed as a meeting place for church functions decided to add ice cream and all the fixin's and started a business. Its about 15 or so minutes from the cabin and while there saw neighbors Mike and Linda as well as last nights friends from our couples Bible class. We had no idea on meeting any of these folks but it was fun and a small world. The ice cream was delicious and made with no preservatives by the Amish creamery down off the mountain. We will definitely visit them again when the grands come in a couple weeks. They both are Jesus lovers as well as Israel supporters.

Well we had a garden salad along with a frozen pizza for our supper to use up some fresh mushrooms which always add to the flavor. I pulled some fresh basil for the salad which was superb as well. We then took a golf cart ride to the top of the mountain and stopped and visited Rick who is recuperating from back surgery and who lives in his mothers old cabin. He was a chatter box and we could hardly get away. We came on across the top and saw no one out and then down the back golf cart trail through the woods and finally down the back road. We saw a couple of deer but no bears and then we settled into the Ray's game versus the Detroit team in Tampa which were on the big TV for a change. We were up 9-3 when I called it a night after a hot shower. Kudos to Nancy for wanting to sleep on the couch so I could get a good nights rest and sleep from her snoring, LATER

Friday Morning June 20th

Well Thursday saw us with a little warmer temps but still nice to start the day and we did get another hard rain for about 15 to 20 minutes in the afternoon and then some black rain clouds toward evening but it passed over us. We certainly have been getting our share of rain which is a blessing until it becomes a gully washer. I started the day with my usual 5'ish rollout due to Nancy's snoring which is becoming even more louder each night. I'm thinking of sleeping in the basement since its quite cool down there and the grands love it when they are here. I'll probably get some flack but I may try it at first before we remove all of the mattresses up stairs.

I did my morning routines that start with some quiet times to honor my lord, Jesus, give thanks for another day and to lift up several by name for comfort and healing, all seem to be holding and Diane is expected to go home after her surgery this weekend. That's a good sign she is in recovery. I headed out shortly after day break to check on the gardens for any deer damage and while I saw some tracks out near the backwoods patch nothing was disturbed. I sure hope these solar power devices work that give off a high pitch sound as well as a bright light when ever they detect any motion, works. One stopped working and the company is sending me a replacement for it.

I loaded up a couple sacks of lime and the spreader and gave the yards a good liming as I've noticed more green moss starting to work its way back into the yards. I got plenty of exercise walking up and down the yards and finished with a soaked shirt. I still haven't hiked to the top of the mountain since I did with Bobby and the family a couple weeks ago. I'm getting plenty of exercise working the gardens and yards thus far. I did do lots of hoeing and weeding and transplanted several sun flower seedling around the fence line of the upper garden.

Well we had an early supper of shrimp and pasta as Nancy has some issues with her tummy as we were heading out around 6'ish for our first meeting with our couples class at one of the couples house in Sparta. We had a new couple who is a pastor to a few in the group and one couple we knew from last year was missing. We had 14 in attendance and we are doing a work book on forgiveness. Is was interesting to hear the stories of what many felt lead to share. We broke up around 8'ish but many stuck around to talk and share some updates with us before we headed out and got back to the cabin some time after 9'ish. The Ray's were still playing and were down 4-1 but I decided to get some sleep before the snoring started when Nancy came to bed and of course after they came back last night from an 8 run deficient it wasn't to be this night, oh well, LATER

Thursday Morning June 19th

 Well Wednesday started out much the usual with a 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 several by name for comfort, healing and surgery to our sister in law Diane. All are holding with this post and she came through the operation and is in recovery. The doctors said it went well. I headed out to check on the gardens and yards and while I found no damage I did see where a deer walked through the circle driveway flower bed, but ate nothing for a change which is quite unusual; of course no new flowers were up yet.

After a hearty breakfast of an avocado and a couple eggs and a piece of toast I headed back outside to fire up the weed eater and worked on the yards including the backwoods yard which kept me busy for a couple hours. I'll mow on Friday if the rain holds off for a day or two as we have had our share this past week. We have our couples Bible class this evening in Sparta so I'll not do any messy jobs today. I did basically take the afternoon off catching up on some videos and of course how Israel is doing against these terrorists in Iran as well as the middle east. I know Trump doesn't want to start a war, but only America's bombs can take out the nuclear equipment buried deep within the mountains of Iran. They must be stopped once and for all. They have no regard for life except their idiotic views and Sharia law which is based on a moron's view of life which is either give into their way of thinking or your dead, oh well.  

We finished up some leftover chicken in a gravy over biscuits for our supper and some freshly harvested Swiss chard from my garden. Both were delicious and I finished the couple crappie filets as a fish taco for lunch. This evening we will eat early because off the class and Nancy' tummy around 3'ish with some salmon and pasta and a salad for me. She has trouble sometimes with salad which can irritate her tummy, oh well.

I resowed a couple hills of half runner beans which never germinated as I think they rotted in the wet ground but about a dozen hills did come up and I'm still waiting on some other seeds I sowed to show some color. Everything else is looking good and I have blooms on the peppers and tomato plants. We did pick a handful of the black raspberries which are ripening and oh so delicious. I will need to take down the fence around them today and harvest enough for our cereal or a cobbler.

Well that was about it for Wednesday except I tuned into the Ray's game on the laptop and they were down 8 runs at one time but came back to tie as I headed for the sack. This morning I checked and they won 12-8, wow what a come back, LATER

Wednesday Morning June 18th

 Well Tuesday was a busy work day which I love doing after a 5'ish rollout to start the day. I did my quiet moments to honor my lord, Jesus, give thanks for another day and then lifted up several by name for comfort and healing. All at this time are holding but one is being operated on this morning to remove part of her colon, keep Diane in your prayers for recovery. I headed out before breakfast as Nancy was doing her quiet time as I was about to finish my morning peruse of the the internet, so while she honored Jesus during her quiet time I checked on the gardens and yards.

Every thing looked good despite the ground still quite wet from the past couple of days heavy rain falls. It sprinkled a little at different times during the day and looked like heavy rain coming but we stayed basically rain free with tons of clouds and sunshine at times. The temps were nice to start the day but eventually warmed up enough to turn the a/c on at bed time, plus Nancy is afraid of the bear issues in the area and we have yet to see one.

After a large breakfast to use up the last of the rib eye steak along with a couple of eggs and a avocado dripped with some olive oil and cracked pepper plus a jalapeno pepper and piece of sourdough bread, which by the way held me the rest of the day until supper time around 6'ish. Our old friend Andy Dalton blessed us with a couple nice packs of fresh crappie filets and so we thawed one pack out for supper which had a dozen small filets, so we had them as well as some dried October beans which Nancy had cooking for a couple hours along with a salad made from our first pickings of lettuce from the garden, yikes was that ever a fine country meal. I love dried beans but they tear Nancy up so its seldom we ever have them and their was enough fish leftover for my lunch today on a sandwich. We still have salt water fish in the freezer that neighbor Andrew blessed us with from Florida, which we were suppose to eat when Bobby was here, oh well.

I did harvest two full colanders of butter crunch lettuce leaves and cleaned them for the salad bowl with a couple sacks for later salads after getting back from leveling out some of the ruts from the gully washer rain storms the past couple of days and while at it I trimmed several low hanging tree limbs on the road out to the mail box. I did stop and pick up a golf cart load of sawed up wood by Mikes place as he has tons of it along the road already for the campfire. I piddled around in the gardens hoeing and trying to get some air to the roots of the veggies as this clay like soil holds moisture. Hopefully we can go another day with out rain and let it dry out.

I did get my birthday present early from my son Bobby who bought we a small gas powered 12 in chainsaw which came in a box and no instructions on how to fit the blade and chain to it. What I didn't realize was the chain brake was on and thats 's why I had a difficult time aligning it up to fit. Finally I realized why and soon made the alignment and it looks like thats all I will need for what I do around the cabin. My old chain saw still runs but I had to borrow neighbor Gerald's saw when Bobby and I tried to cut up a power pole for the garden, so now I have a modern one for small jobs, plus the old one which needed fresh gas and oil as it has sat all winter in the basement, oh well.

Well after supper I tuned into the NHL and the Florida Panthers were on their way to win the Stanley Cup as they were ahead 3-0 going into the final period and the Ray's were losing going into the 9th so after a shower I called it a night and hit the sack at 10'ish, LATER

Tuesday Morning June 17th

 Well Monday started out 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. I headed out after day break to check on the gardens and yards after last nights gully washer storm which did leave some major ruts in the driveway and the road coming off the hard top. This morning I'll take a shovel and rake and head down the driveway to straighten them out as well as cut some low hanging tree limbs that are now scrapping the truck when we go in and out of the road. I don't think we will be going out any time soon until Thursday when we head to Sparta for our couple Bible study class. The gardens fared well with no wash out and everything is soaked and secure in the ground.

We headed down off the mountain to Elkin where Nancy has a doctor she visited last year when her blood pressure when haywire and now he sees her yearly. She was in the office close to 2 hours and I began to be concerned but this doctor listens to patients and doesn't rush. Anyhow she came out around 1'ish after her 11 o'clock appointment and then we headed to Lowes which was on the way to Wal-Mart. We made a couple purchases there and they now have a pop corn machine which was full of freshly popped corn and it was delicious to say the least as we had a sack of it while shopping. I needed stuff for the septic tank after all the use it got last week, plus a new clothesline and some new sunflower seeds as my old ones from last year just would not germinate.

We then headed over to Wal-Mart for some shopping and picked up a rotisserie chicken for our late lunch early supper for when we got back at the cabin which was around 3'ish. It was closer to 4 when we sat down to eat leftover fried sweet tatters, sliced beets and of course the chicken which we have enough for another meal or two. They are so much better for you than sliced deli meats and much less expensive and no salt which now Nancy is keeping a close tab on with her blood pressure and swelling of the ankles. After the cleanup I checked on the war in Israel and the IDF is taking it to these muslim terrorists but in return they are sending lots of missiles into the civilian populations in Israel killing and injuring many where the IDF is only hitting nuclear and military installations. Thank GOD they never was able to get the nuclear bomb because they would have used it immediately. Now with so many of their leadership wiped off the earth the folks need to storm this gov't for a change of leadership and restore the folks back to a democracy to what they once had. Anything is better than these muslims who terrorize their neighbors and the rest of the world.

Well we headed out to Cornerstone for our mens Bible class around 6'ish with a stop at Walgreens for Nancy's meds and it was good to be around men who profess their love of Jesus and get to know them and their families and hopefully make a difference in this world. Nancy was at her women's class in the church as well and we got away around 9 for the ride home. Rain clouds were evident and parts of the drive was in the rain as well. It was almost pitch black by the time we got in the cabin and I do believe the rain held off during the night as we got a half inch during the afternoon and an inch the night before. The gardens are soaked and need some drying out.

I tuned into the Ray's game on the internet and watched them win 7-1 over the Orioles who are in last place this year in their division. I soon hit the shower and was ready for some horizontal lab by 10'ish after the game. I have no idea when Nancy came to bed but she is a night owl these day as she juggles her meds, LATER

Monday Morning June 15th

 Well Sunday started off with a 6'ish rollout as I slept in a little for a change as we had the morning mainly for worship on line and then again at Cornerstone in Sparta. I did my usual routines of some quiet times to honor my lord, Jesus, give thanks for another day and to lift up several by name for comfort and healing. All seem to be holding with this post. I ventured out to check on the gardens and flower beds after a lite breakfast of some fruit and the gardens are holding with no visible damage from deer or slugs of which I've found a couple. We had rain Saturday night before we got home from Caleb's party and then again with a true gully washers on the way home from church and lunch out at the new refurbished building for the Mexican eatery that moved out of Sparta proper and then a stop at the Food Lion for some steaks on sale.

Our dear friend Jake who is also the youth pastor at Cornerstone preached the message and Daren who is the lead singer with Priority Blue let the worship music as our regular pastor and the band was on vacation. It was a great message and time to honor our lord, Jesus. We took Jake and family out for lunch and there we saw many of the church folks as well as Caleb and friends and many old church members, all of which greeted us warmly with hugs and handshakes. I just love small town folks. The food was very good and the salsa and chips were plentiful as well before the main dishes. It was a fun time and then we stopped at the grocery and saw another old friend who only works a couple days a week and lives out near us. 

Well on the way home we ran into a monster storm which had previously dumped an inch of rain on the cabin and the gravel road causing ruts as we headed up the hill. The water ran muddy down the drive and the roadway, oh well, neighbor Gerald had just scraped the big hill of ruts and wash outs the day before. We managed to get soaked from the truck to the porch where I slipped and took a spill, but with no injury or damage, just some embarrassment. It rained off and on all evening and was still raining when I hit the sack around 10'ish. I watched the Ray's beat the Mets in N.Y. to sweep the series and then finished up an autobiography by an author named Chris Crutch that Katie bought for me at a book store in Galax last week. It was a good read and I could relate to him as we are the same age and he has authored several books.

Well since we had such a large lunch of Mexican food I wasn't hungry the rest of the day except for a little dark chocolate and a cup of Chia tea around 7'ish. I cat napped a couple times while reading and eventually headed out to read on the back porch and deck when the rain stopped at times. Today we head down to Elkin for a doctor's appointment for Nancy and then to shop at Lowes and Wal-Mart before heading back up the mountain and then later in the evening back to church for our respective Bible study classes. It's sure quiet around here after the activity of last week, but we did get calls for a happy fathers day wishes from both Bobby and Amy. I have great kids and grandkids as well and I'm so blessed, LATER

My daughter and her family

Sunday Morning June 14th...Fathers Day

 Well Saturday started out as another work day as we were busy with catching up on house cleaning, washing sheets and comforters inside with Nancy and me outside in the yards and gardens as well as some honey do's and in the early evening we were invited to a going away with family and friends Caleb Dalton who is being activated to Qatar with his unit. We have known him since he was just a small lad and while his mom and dad split we have remained friends with both over the years, more so with his mom's side of the family as she and Nancy are horse lovers. Andy was always a friend and great fisherman and hunter and blessed us once again with fresh fish from his freezer before we left the get together last evening.

I did my usual morning routines that begin with some quiet times to honor Jesus, give thanks for another day and to lift up several for comfort and healing, all seem to be holding with this post. I headed out to check on the gardens and flower beds and all look great, just maybe the deer deflectors are working as no tracks in the gardens and no damage. I did notice more beans are up as well as lots of wild flowers showing some color in the beds. After a breakfast of avocado toast and a tomato that was going bad I headed out to work in the gardens; sowing some different veggie and flower seeds in hopes they make. I took some chicken wire and fabricated a fence between the peppers and the cucumbers so they could grown up and on it and hopefully keep the vines from spreading. Last year I had them in the backwoods patch but decided to put them in the upper garden this year. I piddled around outside until lunch time which was a salad and some leftover grilled chicken breast. We are cleaning up the many leftovers from last week as well.

It clouded up and we heard some thunder and maybe a few drops of rain but nothing enough to wet the gravel which we expected to fall through out the evening. We headed to Sparta around 6'ish to meet with several young friends of Caleb at his dad's( Andy) house where we ate grilled burgers and played some corn hole. Both Caleb and his dad and grandfather(Gerald) taught me the game and they were great players. Andy and I beat a couple young buddies in a close match. We prayed over Caleb before leaving in hopes he does well and comes back in one piece.

Well the Rays were losing when we left for Andy's place but I checked the scores and they won again in N.Y. and the Panthers in south Florida won over the Oilers in Canada to take a 3-2 lead in the Stanley Cup finals. It wasn't long after a hot shower it was horizontal time for me, LATER Today is corporate worship dat at Cornerstone in Sparta and some internet worship before heading out with Cornerstone Chapel in Leesburg, Va.

Saturday Morning June 14th

 Well Friday started early around 4'ish as son Bobby and family were doing last minutes gathering of things plus getting 4 kids ready to travel for the next 11 hours or so back to Florida. We tried to go back to bed or at least I did after they left at 4:55 AM. He and I both like to travel early as the twins would sleep for at least a couple hours as would the two teenagers, of course they did a lot of sleeping here at the cabin in the cool basement. We got word they made it home safely around 4'ish, so many thanks for those who remembered them traveling.

I got back up around 6'ish which is usually late for me as my internal clock was ticking despite getting up much earlier than usual, so I did my morning routines that begin with some quiet time to honor my lord, Jesus, give thanks for another day and to lift up several for comfort, healing and now traveling mercies. All seem to be holding with this post. I headed out to check on the veggie and flower gardens and to just make my morning inspection of this beautiful serene place and atmosphere where the smells of the earth are prevalent and no noise except for the birds and the dew dipping off the dormer onto the tin roof. This is as close to paradise here on earth and we feel so blessed to have it for 5 months and to share it with family and friends.

I headed out off the back porch after stretching and everything is looking good especially now that we are seeing some germination of those expensive wild flower seeds which hopefully will come back since they were marked perennials. I have lettuce and Swiss chard ready to harvest for the salad bowl and most of the seedlings are looking great all except the two egg plants. They looked great in pots but since I set them in the ground not so good. I'm not sure why, but I did give them some liquid plant food yesterday morning. I now have some beans up as well and just about have the gardens planted totally with maybe some space to start some seeds for later transplanting. The hollyhock seeds I sowed in several beds and along edges of a couple beds now have two leaves. I've never grown them but neighbor Anne gave me a ton of seeds from her plants of last years season and I found them among my many seeds I collect each Fall for the next years sowing.

Well it was put up a new temporary clothesline since the twins took the old one down some causing it to break. I'll get a new line when we head down to Elkin on Monday for Nancy's doctor's appointment and then it was pick up the yards of stakes(swords of the twins) and downed aircraft(wood and plastic planes which had their tail sections destroyed by constant use by the twins) and several other items I don't want to hit while mowing next week. I had the rear of the golf cart full as well as tons of trash for the landfill which we later took to Sparta.

We headed out around 11 after Nancy hung a load of laundry on the new clothes line, to the dump then a stop at the bread market, Walgreens and Food Lion before our lunch stop at the general store. We sure missed our old friend who worked there for a couple years as a waitress, and Eva Jean always made sure the food served was pleasing to sight whereas yesterday a new young girl served us the remains of some slaw which I sent back. The cat fish plate was tasty and hot as so was the fried tater chips which held me the rest of the day and evening except for a few nuts and some chocolate around 7'ish. I spent the afternoon on the internet keeping up with Israel bombing the nuclear facilities in Iran which I think they made a big difference in keeping them from getting a bomb as well as able to deliver it. I'm with Israel completely as these terrorist would use it in a heartbeat and now maybe they will come to the negotiating table like POTUS Trump wanted them to do in the first place. They used our money given to them by obama to make the necessary equipment for the makings of a bomb. These radical muslims are barbarians to say the least and their ideology is to kill any and everyone who doesn't conform to their Sharia law.

Well we got a rain storm which brought some thunder during the evening hours and the rain fall was a blessing. I just hope it didn't wash out the gardens as at times it was a gully washers. The grasses and gardens really were in need as I had been hand watering for the past week or so. Well I tuned into the Ray's game in N.Y. and they came from behind to beat the Mets who are a very good team this year. I hit the shower around 10'ish and was soon in bed in the horizontal position for a good nights sleep until 5:30 this morning when Nancy awakened me with her snoring, Oh well, LATER

Here is a family photo of son Bobby his wife Katie and teen agers Annsley and Gabriel and twins Ryder and Huckston who left yesterday morning after being here for a week.

Friday Morning June 13 th

Well son Bobby and family left around 4:50 this morning for Florida. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers for safe uneventful travel. It sure will be quiet around here after a week of nothing but activity and some fine eatin'.

I started the day on Thursday with a 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 several up by name for comfort and healing, plus for the nation of Israel and of course all of the unrest here in America. The world is in a mess with the radicals and terrorists trying to destroy America and anything to do with Judeo-Christian principles as we are now seeing with the muslims in Iran and other middle east countries as well as those who hate America and who have illegally entered the country here. We are seeing the insurrection by them here with such civil unrest in our large cities. Pray that GOD and Trump will intervene and make the world come to realize the evil that is everywhere, even within your own country. The politics of today are corrupt with evil folks trying to destroy the very fabric of our nation that has fought against in world wars.

Back to what happened on Thursday the last day of our son's family visit. Well I headed out after my morning routines on the laptop to check on the gardens and flower beds. The deer deflectors seem to be working as no visible damage was evident. The veggie gardens are doing quite well and now I have half runner beans breaking ground and the wild flower seeds are showing more color each day after keeping them hand watered daily. We could use a little rain as its been days since we last had any.

Bobby and I headed down our drive to cut up a downed power pole for the front support on the back yard garden bed which had rotted out and now this piece which is pressure treated will no doubt out live me. We managed to cut it into and 8 1/2 foot long piece using my chainsaw, but eventually borrowing neighbor Gerald's to complete the job and get it loaded into the back of the truck for carrying it back up our steep driveway where we off loaded it onto the golf cart. We then got it to the area where we tore out what was left of the old railroad cross beam and then installed this new piece in its place. We then took the saw and I cut up those large pieces of limbs and a couple small trees which had blown down over our hiking trail while Bobby took the leaf blower and cleaned out all of the loose debris on the trail as well. That was a big help and that hike up the steep trail was a workout in itself. The rest of the day was helping them to entertain the twins, eating and then playing hand, knee and foot. Bobby and Katie are hooked on the game as were we when we first learned the game. The gals won last night in the rubber match with a very close come from behind finish in the final round, oh well. We did smoke them really bad in a game we only played one round because they were not able to complete any of their required books. I'm hoping we can teach Amy and family when they arrive in July.

Well we put a piece of marinated meat on the smoker for an hour or so before grilling it and its an unknown cut which was delicious to say the least along with sweet taters and broccoli and salad for our last big meal for this week; it was marvelous to say the least as Bobby is quite the chef. I managed to knock over a wine glass while cleaning up and cut my foot since I was barefooted, it was no big deal but glass and wine was all over the cabinets and floor; that was my memorable moment for the week, oh well. That was about it for the day as packing their SUV and getting everything put back into some order for their leave this morning, LATER

Thursday Morning June 12th

Well Wednesday was a busy fun filled day with a evening visit to the Frankis Family farm where the twins played with their kiddos. It was also a great time of good eatin' as we ate down by their creek, more on that later in this post.

I had started the day with my 5'ish rollout to my usual routines that begin with some quiet moments to honor my lord, Jesus, give thanks for another day and then to lift up several by name for comfort and healing. All seem to be holding with this post. However I did learn of another classmate passing, thats 4 this week. I ventured out to check on the gardens and flower beds long before anyone else had awakened and risen from their beds. It was a beautiful cool morning with temps in the low 60's and a heavy dew on the grass. Every thing looked good and no deer damage thus far so maybe those solar powered motion detector devices are working. I did notice more wild flower seeds have sprouted and are showing colors as well as are the hollyhock flowers sprouting to new seedlings. The radishes are adding leaves and the beets are showing through the ground as well.

After a breakfast of avocado toast when everyone came down for breakfast the girls were getting ready for a shopping trip to Galax, Va., so Bobby and the twins and I took off on a hike to the top of the mountain. I felt good to go non stop to the top and we visited briefly with Billy as we reached the summit. It was such a beautiful morning with enough of a breeze to keep us from sweating despite the exercise. We came back and woke Gabe up as we wanted to go to Sparta and let the twins play on the play ground equipment, but first we wanted to try out the pickle ball courts where a few folks were attempting to play. I did get an invite that daily at 5:30 several folks show up to play, maybe I'll do that one evening. The boys played hard and then we headed to the splash pad where there also was lots of folks including some adults getting soaked.

I had hand watered in the morning before we left for Sparta as I knew we would be gone until late evening at Jake and Katelyn's beautiful 22 acre farm where he is building their dream house. Their place has so much to offer with a huge garden area, a small stream of water that is deliciously cold and clean as it comes out of the mountain with a great flat area for picnic's and just playing games. Jake is building a magnificent house that is huge and well built with three floors one of course will be a finished basement that opens up to a view of the small stream. They have tons of animals and the kid's get to experience a great country life style with tons of play areas and equipments to play on as well as the creek which is always an attraction with its ankle deep of running cold clear water. The kids played hard both in an out of the water and the food which Bobby had prepared a head of time was easy to serve down by the stream. He made taco meat and we also brought guacamole, salsa and chips as well as refried beans and Katelyn had fresh corn on the grill to add to the mix. It was a fun time as the evening shadows formed over the mountains.

We got back to the cabin just as darkness fell after the 30 minute or so ride through the mountains. We saw tons of bunnies and a few deer along the road side as well. Once we got home it was shower time for the twins and then I got mine and afterwards we played 5 rounds of Sequence and the gals won 4 out of 5 games. They are just so hard to beat. It was going on 11, so I called it a night and slept well, LATER

Today will be the last full day for Bobby and family and its been a great memory making week for everyone. Keep them in your thoughts and prayers as they leave early early tomorrow morning for the Tampa Bay Area

Wednesday Morning June 11th

 Well Tuesday started out much the usual with a 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 by name for comfort and healing. All are holding that I know of but I was notified two more classmates passed away in the last day or so, yikes. All of them about my age, but I hadn't heard from them in years to be quite honest and had no idea their circumstances, oh well no one knows when your time is up but GOD.

Bobby and Katie took off mid morning for a date day so we had the twins and the two teenagers in our care. The later were easy as both slept until noon or after but the twin 5 year old's were up and ready for action after a breakfast sausage, eggs and toast. Bobby before they left made sausage gravy and biscuits  for me and himself which was excellent and so delicious which held me until lunch as I was busy busy until then.

The twins helped or rather got in the way as we walked up the back trail to cut and clip some of the smaller fallen tree branches that were blocking the trail with out having to use the chainsaw which I will do later. A hiker can now pass by safely despite some of the larger limbs that need to be cautiously walked around. Well Huck was a much bigger help than Ryder as he headed back to the house. We then stopped and picked up all of the debris from when we were shooting in the backwoods yards that included old toilet seats, boxes, etc before heading back in the golf cart. We then took a ride to the top of the mountain which took a good hour as we did stop and visit briefly with Billy who was out an about at his place. We then took the long route down the mountain and then back up our driveway.

I managed a little garden work as the boys colored with Nancy at the kitchen table as both are artistic and love to color and draw. I set out three hills of of zucchini seedlings I started from seeds into the backwoods patch and then hoed some of the seedings as well as put wire cages around the tomato plants in both of the patches. By then it was lunch time and we ate before heading down to the creek in the golf cart. Well both boys managed to fall in or just get wet as they sailed lego boats and home made boats in the stream of fast moving water which is about ankle deep. They had a grand time and love playing in the water. I caught a small crayfish for them and after describing it as a lobster we let it go.

We headed back up the mountain to the cabin but along the way neighbor Mike, Linda and Elaine were out with their dogs and of course the boys jumped down to play with them for several minutes. It was a fun time for them another way to entertain them as well. When we got back the teenagers had emerged from the basement refuge and had eaten lunch and they now took over entertaining the boys for a few while I caught up on what was happening in America and it wasn't good with riots in L.A. and of course several other cities as we round up illegals and get them ready to be deported. Its amazing that folks support these criminals but I'm learning that many of these rioter are being paid to do so and encouraged by the democrat party and governors. Its totally anti- American to say the least.

Well Nancy had chicken breast in a marinate and I grilled them and then along with oven tatters and some sauteed pea pods and onions and then we dined outside on the deck. Bobby and Katie returned and ate what was left and then we decided to do smores for dessert, so I built our first campfire this season and everyone but me had a very sweet smore. We sat out by the fire until dusk then it was shower time for the boys and even I got mine out of the way before we got into hand, knee and foot. Well we finished up the first game we had started the night before and the gals won but then we started a whole new game and they whupped us again. I think they really love the game as it was going on midnight when we finished and I hit the sack only to be wide awake almost al night long, despite it being nearly two hours past by usual horizontal time.

Today is going to be another busy day as the gals shop in Galax and we guys head to Sparta for some playtime at the park where we will do some pickle ball and let the boys play on the playground equipment and then in the evening we take supper to Jake and Katelyn's where the boys will play with their kiddos and we will get to see how much has been done on the building of the dream house. It should be another action packed fun day with family and friends as we make memories for all, LATER

Tuesday Morning June 10th

 Well Monday started out for me with a 5'ish roll out which is usual for me as I have a hard time sleeping in these days, especially when you have family filling the cabin. It was another chilly start with temps in the 50's with bright sunshine as the morning progressed. We headed off the mountain and down to the Blowing Rock/Boone area which is just about a good hour and half depending on which way you go because now the Blue Ridge Parkway is still closed for us and so we must travel many different ways, some even including a small stretch of a gravel road in one way we go.

I did my usual morning routines while everyone was still in the sack that begin with some quiet times to honor my lord, Jesus, give thanks for another day and to lift up several for comfort and healing, all seem to be holding with this post. I ventured out after daylight to check on the gardens and flower beds and noticed more colors in several of the flower beds and even my zucchini has now sprouted and I will set three pots of them into the garden proper. The deer deflections seem to be working but one of them has malfunctioned thus far, oh well. I'll contact the company today about replacing it.

Well we headed out after a lite breakfast and got to the play ground area in Blowing Rock about 11'ish or later and let the boys play in the beautiful playground area which is now going under more updates while the gals took off into the small shops. We met about an hour later at one of the many restaurants for a delicious filing lunch which son Bobby treated us to.. They had to be at a new zip line place by 2'ish which would allow the twins to participate in the event. it was a successful event for all of them and much different from the one they had used before which the twins were not allowed to go on, anyhow we made a shopping trip to the Publix in Boone for a cut of meat that Bobby wanted for one of his dishes. We had brought a cooler along just in case they had this special cut and they did, so once again we loaded up on goodies for this special meal and headed back to the cabin with a stop in Sparta for gas at 2.69, plus some non ethanol gas for the equipment and golf cart.

They got back around 5'ish in a rain which was beneficial to the gardens and we ate leftovers for supper and then played 2 rounds of hand, knee and foot teaching Bobby and Katie and then with the teenagers we played 4 rounds of Sequence and the gals totally dominated us guys with 4 straight game wins. They are either great players or know how to cheat, oh well. It wasn't long until it was horizontal  lab for me around 10'ish, LATER

Monday Morning June 9th

 Well Sunday was another beautiful morning with temps in the low 60's with a gentle breeze and its stayed that way all day long with an evening shower thrown in just as we finished supper out on the deck around 7'ish. 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, all seem to be holding with this post. The twins came down shortly and started the day while their mom and dad slept in along with the older sister and brother. I headed out to check on the gardens for any deer damage and either the new animal deflectors worked or none came around. I seem to think maybe they are working and hopefully so the rest of the season.

We headed out to Cornerstone but on the way neighbor Gerald's dog Boo ran out in front of Bobby's vehicle as was nearly run over, so Bobby hand walked him back up the hill and deposit him with Gerald. He had a leash on and at first we thought maybe Gerald was walking him and got attack by a bear and the dog got away, but he answered the door so we all knew everything was fine, except the dog ran away, oh well and Thank God. We made it to church just as the first song was being played and the concert like service was awesome. It had me in tears with a couple of the songs which were all bluegrass gospel type. Afterwards instead of staying for the meal which was burgers and dogs as a youth fund raiser we headed to the Pizzeria for a delicious lunch which held us until 7'ish, when we grilled corn on the cob in the shuck and boneless rib eye's as well as a fresh salad after we got back from a hike to the top of the mountain.

Our hike was something of an obstacle course with several large tree limbs down on our trail up through the back woods, but we managed to remove enough of them to get through but I'll need to bring the chainsaw up later in the week to clear the trail with Bobby's, Gabe and twins help. I did take the twins and Katies to the creek after getting back to the cabin from lunch as Nancy and Bobby needed to shop a little, so they and myself walked in the water which was cold and Katie sat and read. It was hot in the sun but the shade was pleasant and the water on your feet and legs was chilling.

There were golf cart rides in the afternoon and lots of porch time for everyone especially the twins. We even did some shooting with Gabe after the hike and before we fixed supper for about 30 minutes. Gabe did quite well as did Katie and Bobby as I just observed for a change. The meal was excellent and as we sat outside on the picnic tables it was a perfect evening until it started to cloud up and eventually some much needed rain fell. After the cleanup and some showers we watched a documentary film that Katie went to the Czech Republic to film and have produced using their orchestra. I was whupped and after it was over I hit the sack some time before 10. Today Monday we are off to Blowing Rock and Boone for some shopping and lunch out as well as some touristy time at the nice park. It always a fun time to the area and of course there is a Publix there where we always get the few items we can not get here at the Food Lion in Sparta. Bobby and family with then zip line at a new place where the boys can do the event so we will come home and prepare supper for when they arrive, LATER

Sunday Morning June 8th

 Well Saturday started out with a sleep in until nearly 6'ish which after a late night of visiting and game playing with our son's family was fun. The day was even busier as we had dear friends from over 30 years or more visit for several hours and who also worked for Bobby at Offerpad.  The weather held but at times was on the warm side until late evening when we were all in Sparta for Music on the Main when the skies opened up and we all got a little wet. We came back and after some of us showered Bobby popped some corn and we adults played the best of 7 in Sequence. The gals won, oh well. More on the days activities in this post.

The day was a busy one after I did my morning routines as everyone else was still in the sack, so I did my 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. I headed out to check on the gardens and flower beds and noticed more flower seeds have sprouted and the beds are showing some colors. The garden is holding and adding new growth to most every plant. I received my electronic animal deflectors which are motion detected and send out a sharp bright light as well as a high pitch sound which is supposed to scare animals away as I had another deer walk through the garden over night.

Well the fun began after a breakfast of bacon and pancakes as the twins ran and played outside until DJ and Jenny arrived around 10'ish. We loaded up the golf cart with targets, guns and ammo and headed out to the back woods where we went through a couple hundred rounds and even had the twins shooting my old time 22 rifle that we used on the farm back when I was a kid for the first time as we introduced them to real guns. They loved shooting the BB gun but now graduated to the rifle. I shot several rounds through my new .357 magnum pistol and Katie shot several rounds through all of the guns. We stopped for a lunch of burgers and dogs on the grill along with chips. We sat outside on the deck for lunch and then visited for an hour or more. While DJ and Bobby had cigars I took the twin down to the creek so they could sail their boat and play in the cold water.

DJ and Jenny left shortly around 4"ish and we got ready to head to Sparta around 4:30 to find a parking spot for the event where the town closes down to traffic and every visits small groups of different musicians around the town until the headliner starts at 7. Well this night is was a reggae band who were very talented  and sounded quite nice but I was surprised they brought this kind of music to a mountain music town. The turnout wasn't quite as large as usual but still several hundred folks were in attendance.

The twins ran and played around the courthouse lawn which was next to the main stage and we could watch them interact and play with several other kids who were mostly their ages. We had some local desserts which we excellent before the show started but about an hour into the headliner the skies opened up and then the real dancers came out in the street and danced in the rain including both of the twins who were having a ball. Finally the rain let up and we headed back to the cabin for the evening.

Today Sunday we will got to Cornerstone to listen to Priority Blue a bluegrass gospel quartet who will lead the service in music. Our pastor and 3 of the quartet worship with us there as well and the public is invited to attend as well.

Well after getting beat in the rubber match I headed off to some horizontal lab around 10:30, LATER

Saturday Morning June 7th

 Well Bobby and family made it safely here around 4'ish and its been non stop activity since then of course I started the day with a 5'ish rollout and I never stopped working except to eat lunch as well and I slept rather well after hitting the sack around 10'ish. I did my quiet time to honor my lord, Jesus and gave thanks for another day as well as lifted up several by name for comfort and healing. All seem to be holding with this post. After a breakfast of oatmeal doctored up with some cinnamon, honey, pecans and a banana I headed out to work in the yards and gardens. The dew was still too heavy on the grass to mow so I caught up on a couple other projects one was to hand water the gardens and flower beds as well as sow some half runner beans seeds in the upper gardens. All of the gardens are now filled except the backwoods patch which I'm waiting for the zucchini seeds to sprout and then that garden will be full. I now have radishes up since sowing seeds on Tuesday. 

I did get mow around 10'ish which took a good hour and half and then it was put up the badminton net and replace some burned out light bulbs on the front porch plus Nancy and wrestled down the extra mattresses for the bunk beds in the basement where Annsley and Gabe will be sleeping for the next week. I did a few minor cleanups down there as well and got it ready for them. They do well together down there. She will be a senior and he a freshman next year in school. My grands are growing up as I grown older. I'm a blessed man.

Well Nancy had a delicious pot of spaghetti and meat balls ready to heat once everyone got hungry which was around 6'ish. A little fruit of the vine flowed before hand. They had been in their SUV since 5 ish and were ready to run and play which they all did including Nancy and I throwing around a football, sailing airplanes and whatever. Gabe took the twins on a golf cart ride which is a big help as they constantly need entertaining. After eating we got together and played 5 rounds of domino's which is another one of there family traditions like the dinner when they arrive and everyone played with twins handing us the pickers. I had showered after supper so once the game was over it was lights out for me and the twins as they too had showered before playing.

Today old friends and one of Bobby's buddies in the business DJ and Jenny are coming for lunch and a visit then we will head to Sparta for Music on the Main around 5'ish which is the first of the season and takes place the first Saturday in each month. It should be another fun day with playing around here and then visiting Sparta in the evening, LATER

Friday Morning June 6th

 Well Thursday was another busy day filled with tons of work both inside the cabin and in the gardens and yards plus another shopping day at the Food Lion in Sparta to the tune of 400 bucks, oh well we should have plenty of grub to last this coming week when son Bobby and family arrive later this evening from Brandon, Florida.

I started out the day with my usual 5'ish rollout to my morning routines that start with some quiet moments to honor my lord, Jesus, give thanks for another and to lift up several by name for comfort and healing. All seem to be holding with this post. I headed out to check on the gardens and flower beds before a breakfast of avocado toast and dippy eggs and then to load the truck with several bags of garbage that included a lot of what I usually compost and bury, because there are bears in the area and we have decided to forgo composting this year and put it all in the garbage bin. I also had some items that needed throwing away after cleaning out the basement plus an item we dropped off at the thrift store while in Sparta.

We made several stops in town one of which was to pick up a couple loaves of fresh baked bread at a specially store, then a stop at the library and then out to the landfill, then Walgreens for a script for Nancy and finally the grocery store where we found rib eye's on sale at 8.99 a pound. That is a good buy and they so far over the years have been delicious as well as tons of other stuff. The cupboards are full as are two fridge's and freezers. I finished up the leftover pasta for lunch then headed down the driveway with the weed eater and hedge cutters to clean up the driveway of tall grasses and some limbs and tree debris that was poking out from the ditches. When neighbor Gerald gets here we will have to use his tractor to pull all of the trees out of the ditches and saw them up as the ice storm dropped many trees tops into the driveway. What a mess that is but at least we can navigate along the driveway for now.

We ate leftovers from last night supper with the Frankis family and then took a golf cart ride to the top of the mountains and saw no one out an about there so we decided to head down the mountain where we did see some neighbors down below and stopped and visited with Mike, Linda and Elaine for a spell who live along the area about midway in our lane. Mike will help me later in the summer to wire my electrical box for the generator I bought last year in case we lose electricity like last summer when the hurricane came through this area.

Well I tuned into the Ray's game after dark and they were losing as I hit the shower and was soon ready for some horizontal lab around 10'ish. That hill with the weed eater plumb wore me out but I think I'm starting get back into shape with all this physical work, LATER

Today I'll mow the yards and set up the badminton nets and get ready for the gang to arrive for a supper of spaghetti and meat balls which Nancy prepared yesterday and all we have to do is heat it up.

Thursday Morning June 5th

 Well Wednesday was another total work day until suppertime when we had our dear sweet mountain family over for supper and a great evening visit. I once again worked mainly in the cabin, down in the basement except for some gardening chore and then preparing a couple of racks of St. Louis ribs on the grill instead of the smoker. This new way is so fast and so much easier with very little cleanup and the meat falls off the bone, yeow.

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 seem to be holding with this post. I headed out to check on the gardens for any deer damage and thankfully none was found. I did notice some marigolds had broken ground after being sowed for only 4-5 days. It wasn't nearly as chilly as the past several mornings so no heat was needed by Nancy but she did have the a/c on just before bedtime. Her internal thermostat is wacko for some reason, plus she doesn't want to open the windows because of the fear of a bear which has taken over her rational thinking, oh well.

While cleaning up my work bench and storage tables in the basement I found some hollyhock seeds that neighbor Anne gave me last fall. Her's are up now and they will soon have beautiful huge flowers and I couldn't find the seeds I had in a storage container or actually forgot bout them and where they were hidden, so I sowed in several spots in the flower beds and even some in the backwoods garden. I'm encourage to see some of the marigolds up from seeds and looking forward to all the beds to start showing some green.

Well we had the cabin and supper ready when Jake and the family arrived. Nancy had purchased a birthday gift for Skylar who turned 5 a week ago and of course clothes for her as well as Seth and the new little Natilie who is now 5 months old and so cute and such a sweet baby.  After a supper of ribs, oven tatters, fresh broccoli, cooked carrots from my Florida garden and Katelyn brought a salad and Nancy had brownies for later. Jake and I passed on the dessert and headed down into the basement where I needed his man power to remove a water filter that needed changing as well as a cold water filter on the washing machine. What a job that was and Jake has the strength whereas it took me and friend Gerald a couple years ago to actually get the case off that holds the filter.

Well we all sat outside on the front porch and the kids entertained as we caught up on all thats been going on with them, their business as well as new friendships. Their kids are living a grand style here in the mountains with such outdoors for entertainment and their home and land gives then such a wonderful playground with the small creek that runs through it. We are blessed to have them as friends and both of them are workers as they built their dream house and raise 3 little ones. It was after 9 before they headed out for their place which is a good half hour or more away because the parkway is closed which is a little shorter in distance from our place to theirs.

After they left we cleaned up the supper dishes and put the kitchen back in order and I hit the shower and then watched the last inning or so of the Rays game and they won against a good Texas team. It was soon lights out for me around 10:30, LATER

This morning we head to Sparta for more supplies as Bobby's family arrives tomorrow for a week, plus a run to the dump for garbage and the bread store as well.

Wednesday Morning June 4th

 Well the morning started out chilly with the heat on but by the late afternoon the windows and doors were finally opened to let in the warm sunshine and air out the cabin with a beautiful sweet breeze. Much like we are a custom to, finally. It was a great day all around as there were plenty of chores both outside and then mainly in the basement as I vacuumed, mopped and did some general cleaning as we get ready for the oldest grands coming on Friday to stay down there for a week. They have their own small living quarters and love it and its always cool there in the hottest part of the day which I like to visit to cool off when working outside.

I started the day with my 5'ish rollout mainly due to Nancy's snoring which seems to get worst the more she stresses with friends coming tonight for supper and then of course with family coming for a week. I do get about 5 hours of constant sleep before she awakens me the rest of the night as she can not sleep on her right side due to some jaw issues or so she says, oh well. Anyhow after a avocado with eggs and grits for breakfast I ventured out to check on the flower and garden beds. No sign of any deer damage and I'm about to get my electronic solar critter deterrents any day now. I sure hope they work. 

All of the new seedlings seem to holding and I did a little hand watering after supper especially the new wild flower beds as well as the marigold and zinnias beds. I'm hoping they sprout and give us some color but we do have a few flowers in bloom along side the cabin as well as some blooms on the hydrangeas which should open in a few days. The freeze hurt them again before we got here. It should be a good berry harvest this year as well.

We took off on a visit to our dear friends through the woods from our cabin who are having some severe health issues. Frank is on oxygen 24/ 7 and is blind in one eye and there is no cure for that and Anne is having shoulder issues and severe arthritis. They live in Lake land Florida but come up in the summer like us and she too is a gardener, but in pots mainly for veggies but does have some beautiful flowers along side their fence on the driveway. They are the folks that we helped them to get their cabin from an old neighbors we knew back when they were selling out. Luckily we heard about them selling and contacted Anne and Frank right away and she agree to sell it to them.

Well Nancy pan fried a couple salmon fillets and accompanied it with some buttered pasta which was delicious to say the least. Tonight were are having the Frankis Family over for supper and I'll do St. Louis ribs on the grill along with all the accompanies that Nancy decides. We want to repay them for mowing and edging and doing some chain saw work before we got here as well as celebrate Skylar's birthday and to meet their new little girl. It should be a fun time with some good eatin', LATER

Tuesday Morning June 3rd

 Well Monday started out on the chilly side with temps right at 50 * but it warmed up to at least 70 by late afternoon, so it was no heat after we got back from Galax, Va. and our stock up shopping trip at several places, but first I started the morning with my usual 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 by name for comfort and healing. All seem to be holding, but my sister in law Dianne is still in some rough shape, so please continue to lift her up for healing.

I headed out to check on the gardens after donning a sweat shirt as it was down right cold with the slight breeze. Everything I had planted on Sunday afternoon and a couple days before seem to be holding, at least no more signs of deer in the gardens, so that was a plus. I loaded up some garbage to be dropped off at the dumpster on the parkway, but even that area was now closed so I had to bring it home. We had a lite breakfast of avocado on toast and a poached egg drizzled with so olive oil and cracked pepper, wow a delicious way to start the gastric juices flowing and healthy, along of course with a cup of hot tea for me.

Well we loaded up two cooler and headed to Galax, Va. where our first stop was at the Mule Hell store for some hand soap and perfumes lotion. They make everything in the store from products from all over the world. We once visited their original store in some out of the way stop in road but they moved their successful business and shop to Galax. Next we headed to Lowes for some more flowering plants plus an egg plant and a cilantro seedling as well as a few items for the cabin. Our next stop was the super Wal-Mart where we filled two shopping carts with over 500 bucks of food and other items needed to entertain Bobby's family next week. It was after 1 before we left that place and then stopped at the local produce market for some items. All toll was close to 600 bucks of groceries, plants and other items for just one day. We had already stocked up at Sam's on the way here for a couple hundred bucks.

We got back at the cabin going on 2'ish so Nancy fired up the oven for a frozen pizza while we put the grocery items away. I twisted my knee earlier or aggravated a cyst known as a Bakers Cyst in my left knee so I gingerly carried in the items and finally used the golf cart to carry many items to the basement. Not sure about the knee but it could put a damper on teaching some pickle ball next week to my grandson who wants to challenge me on the courts, oh well.

After the late lunch we headed out to sow some wild flower seeds we received from UPS while eating our pizza in to 4 different flower beds that I had rotor tilled earlier in the week and had it weed free. The egg plant had two stalks in the same container so I separated them into two containers and watered them along with the cilantro which was root bound. Hopefully they will make and I will plant them next week into the garden proper. We decided to take the golf cart and visit neighbors so it was off to the top of the mountain where Bob and Mary have a beautiful real log cabin, but the driveway is very steep and you need 4 wheel drive to get there, but the golf cart works great. Bob was there with his German shepherd Ecko. Mary was off shopping but after a short visit Bob said they would come by later and they did around 8'ish and stayed and visited until nearly 9. We had a great visit and he is expecting his sister in law as well as their daughter to move in with them in the near future, poor Bob I can not imagine having to be bossed by three women, oh well.

After they left I soon hit the hot shower and then caught up on the world news on the internet. I was ready for some horizontal lab by 10:30, LATER

This is son Bobby's Family who arrives on Friday for a week

Monday Morning June 2nd

 Well Sunday 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. It was another chilly morning with temps into the 50's to start the day and it may have reached a low 70 by the early afternoon, but the breeze kept it quite nice for working outside. The breeze was gentle compared to Saturday's gust at times close to 50 mph, yikes.

We watched Cornerstone Chapel at 8:15 on the internet  before heading out to our local Cornerstone Fellowship Church at 9:30 for the 10 o'clock service. It was great to renew old friendships once again and saw many new faces as well as learned a few we knew had passed on both forever and some moved away to a different part of the country. We decided to forego eating out as we had leftovers, plus I wanted to work in the gardens and yards after lunch which was a perfect afternoon for the many chores. We did stop at Walgreens for a script Nancy had waiting for her. After a lunch of the last of the rotisserie chicken on sourdough bread I headed out to put some veggie seedlings into the ground. I got everything we bought on Wednesday into the ground plus some volunteers as well and then sowed by hand zinnias seeds in the circle driveway bed.

I've just about filled up all of the garden spaces but still have room for some zucchini seedlings in the backwoods patch and room for some radishes and an eggplant as well as some dill and cilantro herbs. I now have plenty of veggies and if all make, I will once again have plenty to share with neighbors. It was a fun filled afternoon and I even was able to sow some grass seeds in the backwoods yard where moss had taken over as well as removed tons of fallen sticks and small branches left over from the severe ice storm that brought down even huge trees and the tops of huge trees as well. What a mess the woods is and along our driveway. I noticed the black raspberries are forming along with the blueberry bushes and we should have plenty of fresh berries and even the wine berries are starting to set fruit.

We took a golf cart ride to the top of the mountain and saw lots of changes there as well and a parcel of land behind us has sold and a feller is putting in a spot for a camper that adjoins our property to the rear. It is a triangle shape property that is about an acre in size and adjoins our main road into the subdivision. We came back and made bean burritos and added a grilled deer burger in the mix which was delicious. After the cleanup I wondered around outside until nearly dark then hit the shower and read until lights out for me around 10'ish or a little before.

Today we will head to Galax, Va, to stock up for Bobby's family coming on Friday but first we will have the Frankis Family over for supper on Tuesday. We will make a stop at Lowes and of course Wal-Mart. We will be busy making the place family and friend ready the next several days. We just love it here and Nancy still has the heat on at times as its not really hot like it is in Florida when the a/c ran constantly, LATER