Hike in the Morning then Getting Ready for Company

Well it was another splendid morning with a nice breeze even though is was nearly 70 degrees when we got up at 8:15. The morning was made nicer when I did my deer damage check and found the buggers had left my gardens alone last night. After our quiet time and breakfast we open the new blood pressure monitor and found her first test was 132/86 and the second test after our hike to the top was 118/68 with a pulse rate of 75. We will check in twice a day for awhile just to make sure she is doing alright.

Our hike to the top was more of a speed walk for about 2 1/2miles as we walked along the back road in the shade of the trees. Walking on the very top has some great views but when its warm out its usually very hot on top. We knew we would only get one walk in today(we were having company for supper) so we decided a work out was better than a scenic hike.

After a garden salad for lunch we needed to start getting dinner ready as it was nearly 1 PM. I brought up the oak wood that had been soaking in water for the night and got the smoker ready for the baby back pork ribs. Nancy made a nice rub and then we greased the meat and the racks with olive oil and got those babies(no pun intended) to smoking at about 1 PM. Nancy put a pot of pinto beans on to cook and I did the potato's for oven spuds. She made a pan of brownie and put another salad together. Presto we were ready for the Dalton Gang.The skies opened up and we got a much needed downpour for about a 1/2 hour. We took to the back porch for about an hour to read while waiting for the skies to clear.

After the rain and while the smoker was cooking we took a golf cart ride out to the mailbox and to check on our neighbor, Shirley. She was to have a stress test in Elkin this AM as she has been having some heart palpitations. When we arrived at their place Shirley was mowing with the riding lawn mower and seemed in good spirits. She said the doctor told her to come back next Thursday for a follow up; so that indicates nothing is too serious at present. That is certainly and answer to prayer for her.

We were ready for our guests when they arrived around 6 PM. We had a great dinner and afterwards Caleb impressed us with his marksmanship with a bb gun. We then started a hot game of Chickenfoot Domino's. The first 3 rounds had the guys whupping the girls by a couple hundred points as we totaled our scores together in teams. After those first rounds(and some gloating on our part) we fell apart and finally lost in the total score by those couple hundred points. Great game girls.

Well it was a fun evening with some of us imitating lots of animals, especially chickens and all the stories we told of our summer chickens,Gavin and Henrietta who migrated to our cabin from The Todd's a couple of years ago.They were the only chickens I ever heard of who had a summer home.

Caleb brought us a nice head of red cabbage he grew, thanks Caleb. Well better go missing our family and grand babies, Ava and Annsley.

Visit to Dr. Kovacich, Breakfast at Browns, Trip to W.Jefferson

Well another beautiful N.C. morning. Again it was on the humid side but still in the 60's. We had to be at the Dr's office in Sparta at 9:15 so we rolled out of bed at 6:30. Nancy had to fast(eat nothing) before her appointment as they were once again trying to determine her state of health after last week's overnight stay in the hospital. We did our quiet time then headed out and never got around to checking the gardens.

After we left the Dr's office we headed to Browns restaurant for eggs, ham and grits for Nancy and I had an omelet, fried taters and a biscuit. When we got home about 10:30 I checked the gardens and yelp, you guessed it the deer made a visit last night and helped themselves to green beans, okra, azaleas and roses. What different tastes they have. They stomped around in the tater patch but left everything else alone. I'm sure they will be back again tonight. My a good venison roast would taste good slow roasted and smoked for about 5 hours.

Well, after picking a bucket of beans they missed we took a hike to the top and boy was it HOT up there. My shirt was soaked when we got back. We then read until it was time to head south on the BRP headed for W. Jefferson, about 45 miles away. We were to meet Craig and Beverly, our friends and former pastor at 5 PM. We hadn't seen them in 2 years and it was their first visit with the new grand parents(us).

We met at a very popular Smokey Mountain Barbecue Restaurant. The food was good and this place was jumping. We visited for 2 hours; eating, reminiscing and catching up on all that's happened the past 2 years. There daughter, Susan(Amy's age) is getting married in January to a beau in Palm Beach, Fl. Craig is now the senior pastor at 2nd Baptist in Richmond,Va. It's been over 25 years since Craig baptized Nancy, myself and our son, Bobby. Upon leaving the restaurant I asked a feller outside the restaurant to take our picture, which he did. After some small talk and finding out we were from Florida he mentioned he lived there at one time in Eustis, Fl. After introductions he invited us to his church on Sunday but hearing we were from out of town he accepted my offer to take a picture and to include him and his family in my daily blog. Thank You Alby, Ella and Norman(I hope I got those names right) for showing your kindness in assisting a memorable occasion for us and being bold for Chirst to a stranger.

Well we finally had to head out back to the north but you guessed it a trip had to include going through Wal-Mart on the way home. We shopped and purchased a blood pressure cuff so we could monitor Nancy's blood pressure. Today it was once again high 192/89 but began to subside with a second reading. We need to monitor this reading daily to ascertain it she may require medications. Hopefully it was just the "white coat syndrome." We made it back to the cabin just as darkness fell. We saw lots of deer on the BRP(wish they would stay there). Well, later missing our families and grand kids, Ava and Annsley.

Mundane jobs, Hike,Making Jelly and Visit to Grant and Shirley's

Well it was another nice morning after the great rain last evening. We got about 3/10ths of an inch and did we ever need it. The gardens were starting to show the lack of rain even though I had started to hand water once again. The temp was 62 and a little bit humid but any how it was still a nice morning. Once again there was no deer damage to our gardens but on top the deer are starting to get into the grape arbors. They bite the green grape clusters and then spit them out on the ground. They are so destructive and I know they will get into our gardens as soon as we leave. Oh well the price you pay for being isolated back in the woods.

After our quiet time we took a long hike to the top and saw a couple of neighbors. We sat and visited a spell with Ann and Sandy. They are retired except for Sandy working 1 day a week so he can keep the perks that go along with a machine shop.

After our hike we had leftovers for lunch and then took a golf cart ride to the mailbox and to visit with The Heglars. They weren't home so we would visit them later after supper. On the way back home we picked enough blackberries to make our 3rd batch of jelly. We are becoming pro's at that messy job and by 3 PM we were finished and sitting on the porch reading and listening to the jars popping and sealing. All 9 jars sealed so we have about 27 jars to give away and share with family and friends.

It was after 5PM before we started dinner. Nancy sauteed fresh yellow squash with zucchini, green peppers and onions with garlic and olive oil. Wow is that a great tasting dish and good for you. We ate out on the deck as by now it was nearly 6PM and the threat of rain had clearly passed.

After cleaning up we took a walk down the road to visit with Grant and Shirley. Its about a 1/2 mile each way with a few hills thrown in for good respiration's. We learned Shirley was having some blood pressure problems and they had been to a doctor in Sparta when we visited earlier in the day. She related she is having a stress test on Thursday in Elkin as her family history is conducive for heart problems. A couple of years ago she lost 2 brothers to heart failure in the space of one week. Please keep Shirley in your prayers as she is really having a difficult time with this diagnosis. Well not much else going on except we are heading for the doctor in Sparta in the AM as Nancy must have her blood checked for thyroid and cholesterol. Later, missing our families and especially grand kids Ava and Annsley.

Harvesting Veggies, Hiking, Getting Ready for Company and a Great Rain

Wow, what a start to another N. C. morning. The temp was 60 degree's and a coolness in the air. Nancy and I got an early start around 7 Am as we knew we were having guests for supper. We got a load of laundry in while we did our quiet time and checked for deer damage(there was none). We decided it was time for buckwheat pancakes, smoked turkey bacon and eggs. We had a couple of banana's that needed eating, Nancy blended one into the batter along with the fresh berries we had picked earlier. Let me say from the moment I took the first bite this was a keeper and she agreed. Next time you do cakes try blending a ripe banana into the batter. YUMMMM.

I then helped clean up after breakfast and hung the laundry outside on the clothesline while Nancy made a casserole(mixed veggies) for supper. We then took a hike up the mountain and speed walked the 2/3 of mile road that runs along the back of our property. We did about 2 1/4 miles all together as we weren't sure we would get another walk today. It was a great work out with the first steep hill and then with the combined smaller upgrades. By the time we got back to the cabin we were wet with sweat.

I then cut 3 heads of lettuce(romaine and bibb) and cleaned them. The lettuce this year has been the best ever and for being so late in the season. I then peeled about 30 peaches we had picked from Ray's trees on Friday. Boy are they small but tasty and Nancy made a delicious pie for dessert. I then chopped a fresh head of cabbage for cole slaw we would eat with our fried bass for supper. While Nancy mixed the cole slaw I sliced potato's for oven tatter's for supper as well. We let them soak in a bowl of water so they wouldn't brown. While Nancy finished with the slaw and pie I vacuumed the down stairs; I work for food!!!

Well we were about ready for Joe and Helen as they like to eat early. They arrived shortly after 4 PM and Nancy had the bass really for the hot oil. I fried the bass(the 8 we caught on Sat.) outside on the grill. We had a great meal and it tasted so good and we ate tooo much so we had to wait about an hour to cut the fresh peach pie. So we walked down to Jodi and Gerald's as we heard Gary(carpenter) sawing. He was working late as it was already 6: 30. We gave Joe and Helen the grand tour. They were impressed especially with Gary's trim work.

We headed back and had our pie out on the side deck just before the skies darkened and a few thunder booms sounded off in the distant. Our guests left shortly and a strong wind came up blowing a light rain. A loud crack and flash of lightening sent Nancy to close the windows and doors as we received a "frog swallower". Yea ,did we need this rain and its been raining steady for about an hour. Thank You Lord.

Well Helen brought us a couple of jars of fresh canned pickled beets(she made) and Joe brought some green peppers from his garden. Thank You both. The fresh bass was superb and its hard to decide which is better; the rainbow trout or large mouth bass. Well, Later missing our kids and grand girls, Ava and Annsley.

Worship at Cornerstone, A Visit from Burt and Bertie, Our Small Group and a Game of Chickenfoot

Wow what a beautiful morning with the temps in the low 60's once again. Nancy and I did not want to get up this morning as the cool, quiet morning air enveloped us. But the stillness of the morning made our quiet time more special and rewarding. We had a lot to be thankful for this past week, especially after having Nancy spend a night in the hospital with at first not knowing what was really wrong with her. Thank You doctor's Kahn and Wiggans at Allegheny Memorial for doing a thorough check on Nancy.

Our check for deer damage once again showed none.

Worship at Cornerstone was absolutely great and the meaningful relationships we are making is wonderful. It sure is nice to worship with believers who love their community and are on fire for the LORD. Congratulations to Pastor B(Brian)as he just graduated this past week with a doctorate in divinity.Most church's have 10% of the people doing 90% of the work but I must state with Cornerstone it's the other way around. I have never seen so many people turn out to help with the ministries of the church and be so excited about it.

We were just taking it easy after a fresh garden salad for lunch when one of our neighbors from on top of the mountain came by for a visit( Burt and Bertie) on their golf cart. They had never been down to our place and were taken back with the veggie and flower gardens. The cone flowers are magnificent in bloom and are so large and healthy as well as the summer daisies. We fixed them up with a nice zucchini to make bread. We had to cut our visit short as Nancy needed to make a fresh bowl of salsa to take to our small group at 5 PM.

Nancy and I are involved with our small group from Cornertone. Tonight our attendance was down as only 8 people were there for this get together. Its unusual to have 3 out of the 4 guys to be involved in law enforcement, 2 of us are retired. We met at Clara and Clarence Crouse residence in Sparta for a light dinner(everyone brought something) and to observe an Andy Griffith T.V. Series(Mayberry) for study and the biblical principles found in it. We had great food, a study and fellowship. I sometimes wonder what happen to those Mayberry Days, I would love for my grand children to know that America. It seems each episode had a morale value for all. Afterwards, the Crouse's neighbors John and Sandy came over for a game of Chickenfoot Domino's. It was a boys vs the girls in scoring with the boys victorious for the first time in a long time. Clara served us nearly frozen Dr. Pepper in the bottle(what a taste) with popcorn as a snack. Once again a fun evening with down to earth folks. Later missing our families and especially grand daughters Ava and Annsley.

Angel Food Distribution, Hiked, Picked Peaches and Bass Fishing

Well it was another great day. Nancy seems to be getting back to normal, YEA!!! After a deer check(no damage), quiet time and breakfast we headed to Cornerstone for the Angel Food Distribution. We had 209 orders for the month of July. Great!! After Cornerstone we stopped by the store and got some more jars for jelly and some ground turkey for burgers.

After lunch we took a long hike and visited with Tommy and Carol Brown on top of the mountain, we also stopped and visited with Roddy and his wife. We then headed down through the devasted area and came back by Jodi and Gerald's place. What a great day for hiking. Afterwards, we picked fresh peaches from Ray's trees. The fruit is small but look and smell yummy. It started to warm up a bit so we stopped and read for about an hour until it was time to start dinner. I picked enough 1/2 runners for supper. After eating we decided to go bass fishing.

We headed over to our friend Helen's pond about 6:30 and fished until about 8 PM. Some of us caught more than others. Let me say Bob and his mom have the same gene when it comes to fishing. We brought 8 home for dinner Monday night, when Helen and Joe will join us for supper. Well it was a great day, Nancy and I really enjoyed it with much laughter. Until Later missing our kids and grand kids, Ava and Annsley.

Slept In,Made Jelly, Took a Hike, Planted Trees and Mowed

Wow, what a day. Nancy and I were still in slumber land when the phone rang at 8:40 AM. Carol B. called and woke us and talked for nearly an hour. It was sure good to snuggle with my wife after sleeping alone on Wednesday night. Nancy is doing fine and we're sure thankful for that. While she yapped with Carol I did a deer damage assessment(none once again), my quiet time and even had breakfast.

We took a long hike just before lunch and came back to a great fresh garden salad. After lunch we once again got out the pot and pans and made another batch of blackberry jelly. We had about 3 cups of juice already frozen from the last time so I squeeze out 4 more cups(froze 2 of them)of juice and we started the process. I kept things washed up while Nancy mixed the juice, sugar and sur-gel. It's really a messy job while dirtying lots of pots and pans.

We took a golf cart ride out to the mailbox and stopped off to visit with Grant and Shirley. They are up for a week at their cabin on vacation. After getting our mail we found a sweet thank you book from our youngest grand daughter, Annsley. There were several pictures with captions from her vacation. Nancy and I laughed and cried all in the same book. Jill, you and Bob did a great job putting this thank you together,We Love it!!!

After getting back to the cabin we decided we should plant some more small pine trees that separate our property and the "kennel/trailer park" next door. We dug up and planted 12 more pines along the driveway edge to help reduce the sight and sound from next door.

After dinner we decided it was a great time to mow the yard as it's a cool evening. Nancy relieved me at times as we are still mowing this yard with a push mower. It only took us about an hour. Afterwards I built a campfire, watered my lettuce and then we sat around the fire watching the trash heap burn. Well it was a great day with temp's not much over 75. Later, missing our families and especially grand daughters Ava and Annsley

Nancy's Home, Picked My First 1/2 Runners and took a Long Hike

Well it was a 52 degree morning outside an nearly that cool in bed last night as I slept alone for the first time in years. Nancy was kept overnight at the hospital because we were not sure what caused her the day before to have a bout of; elevated pulse rate, high blood pressure, weak knees and generally a feeling she had never experienced before. As it turned out the Dr's. think her thyroid medicine was out of kilter causing her this major anxiety and panic. Praise the Lord it was nothing to do with her heart. She had all kinds of test including a stress test and she passed with flying colors. So now we must work on the regulation of her thyroid medication and the proper dosage for her condition.

Well I brought her home around and 11A M and we both had a nice lunch then she took a nap as she didn't get much sleep last night. I took off to the top of the mountain to pick blackberries once again. I picked a gallon in about an hour and came home to find her still resting comfortably. I then picked our first mess of 1/2 runner green beans and we had them for supper. I also picked 5 yellow squash, 2 zucchini 's and 1 cucumber. We also had grilled zucchini for supper along with a fresh garden salad.

After supper we took a long hike to the top and came back to find Jodi's dad and step mother at our place as well as Ray and Audine. Her folks didn't stay but a few minutes and the Todd's stayed till after 9 PM. Well, will close for now as it was a restful afternoon and helping Nancy get back into a routine. Later missing our kids and grand kids, Ava and Annsley

Day Trip to Old Salem, Lunch at the Colonial and Overnighter at Allegheny Memorial for Nancy

Wow, what a day after a beautiful much needed rain last and early this morning. Nancy and I did our usual after our quiet time and getting ready to head south on our weekly day trip with Helen and Joe. We both had fresh fruit with our oatmeal and once again we escaped with no "deer damage." Joe and Helen were here at the cabin 9 AM sharp and then we were off to Winston-Salem. We took a new road N.C.67 that goes through East Bend. The son of our neighbors just purchased a large house(5200 sq. ft.) there and we were curious. We saw it on a hill on the east side of N.C.67 with its 3 car garage. Very nice and we were most impressed, way to go David.

We arrived in Old Salem after going through a town called Tobaccoville, named after or for R.J.Reynolds tobacco company. This is the second largest cigarette maker in the world(Phillip Morris in Richmond, Va. is the largest-I Think). The large old homes were beautiful on some very nice landscaped acreage. Last night a severe weather front went through Winston and we saw several areas where trees were down on power lines, homes and in the roadway. The crews were out restoring power to traffic signals as well as homes in the community. It was unreal the number of large trees down as well as the ones piled up along the curbs to be picked up for rubbish.

Old Salem even had several broken trees tops and limbs piled up in their common area as we arrived. I spoke with 2 ladies; 1 in colonial period dress and they had also suffered trees down at their residences. Jodi and Christian were very helpful and most courteous, pointing out attractions we should visit that were open to the public. The Single Sisters Museum was outstanding and to think that girls at the age of 12 were sheltered there to not only learn a trade but learn about life in general and to be devout as well. Thanks Jodi and Christian for pointing this out to us. It's nice also to recognize believers as we travel among different areas of this beautiful creation and diverse people.The tin cup that is a land mark outside Old Salem is said to have housed a soldier hiding during the Revoluntionary War from the British Army. WOW!!!

We headed for Joe's pick for lunch called the Colonial Restaurant. When we reached the restaurant Nancy mentioned she felt kind of weak and thought her pulse was racing. I immediately thought she was having a low blood sugar syndrome. After several crackers and some sweet tea she hadn't noticed a whole lot of change for the better. We became worried that her symptoms were of a more serious nature as she continued to complain that her neck felt as if it were in a tight turtleneck sweater. Her pulse seemed to be elevated as she related how her brother has suffered a possible heart problem just last week. The doctors did find a 90% blockage in an artery and inserted a stent. Well Nancy was very worried she may be suffering the same fate. We stopped and had her blood pressure checked at a drug store which showed a 192 over 80. High but nothing life threatening. We headed back to Sparta.

On the way home she felt good enough to stop at,you guessed it Wal-Mart in Elkin. We purchased a few things and boy was it HOT down there. Back in the car coming up the mountain she once again felt flushed and nervous. After Joe and Helen dropped us off, I called the doctor we had used for a thyroid condition last year, he wasn't in and wouldn't be back until Friday, so his office suggested taking her to the E.R. Nancy reiterated she had never felt like this before so I took her to the E.R. in Sparta. There Dr. Wiggens examined her and took all kinds of blood for tests, EKG and an x-ray. The tests showed nothing and his hunch was it was probably something to do with the electrical controls for the beating rhythm's of the heart. Any how he felt she should spend the night in the hospital. Well please keep her in your thoughts and prayers. I'm writing this blog for the first time without Nancy giving me ideas and support, so not only do I miss my children, grandchildren but now Nancy.

Garden Work,Vino is Workingand 2 Hikes Today

Well it feels as if the "dog days of summer" are upon us. It was once again 68 this AM yet the humidity was back. After our morning check of the gardens and quiet time I put the yeast to the blackberry mess and starting the process of fermentation. It will take 7 days before I strain the mess and add more sugar, after that its another 10 days until the sugar is used up and another reading(hydrometer) is taken. It's a first for me so will let you know it its palatable. By the way there was no deer damage to the gardens again this morning. There was no rain as well but we do hear a few rumbles in the distance. Down off the mountain there was severe weather; rain, hail and high winds.

Nancy and I took our first hike of the day about 11AM and got back just after lunch time. We had a great fresh garden salad with most of it home grown. I managed to hoe most of the garden after lunch and transplanted some much need plants with good potting soil. I then re-arranged the rock pathway from the back porch to the fire circle. I put larger rocks on the lower side of the path to keep the gravel from washing into the yards when it "gully washes or frog swallower", that's mountain lingo for a down pour.

Nancy took the golf cart to the mailbox and I headed for the basement where it was a cool 60 degrees. The dehumidifier keeps the basement nice and cool on hot days.When she came back we both read for an hour then she put together another zucchini pie for dinner. Yumm!! After dinner I washed the dishes and Nancy took in the laundry off the clothes line. I then watered the garden by hand. After it cooled off we headed back to the top of the mountain where we stopped and talked to Norm Wigington(WWII Vet) and then stopped off , sat and talked a spell with Ann and Sandy Cline until Nancy heard it rumble off in the distance.

Tomorrow it time once again for our weekly day trip with Joe and Helen. Will fill all of you in on the details tomorrow night. We are presently under a severe weather watch. Hopefully we will get a little rain but no rough stuff. Well its time to put this baby to bed, missing all our families an especially the grand girls Ava and Annsley.

Mundane Jobs Early,Making Blackberry Jelly and Starting Batch of Blackberry Vino

Well it was a little bit warmer for a second morning in a row. It was 68 this AM. I thought I would be stiff this morning after playing softball for the first time in years. I guess using a chainsaw, hoe and shovel regularly have helped keep these muscles in shape. The only effect from ball playing was the deep bruise on my glove hand from trying to catch a hard line drive.

After my quiet time I found once again there was no deer damage;however if we don't get a little rain I'm afraid the deer will be checking out my beans as they are young and tender. I plan on picking a few beans by this week- end as I'm having to water by hand daily.

After Nancy and I got back from our hike to the top we had a nice fresh garden salad. Once lunch was over we started on making jelly. Let me tell you that is one messy job and the number of pots and pans you use is unbelievable. I had picked enough berries to make a 9 jar batch with enough berry juice for nearly another batch. We froze that juice until we get more jars and I can pick another gallon of berries. I then started on making my first batch of vino from scratch. The Internet has all kinds of recipes for Blackberry wine so it shouldn't be too difficult.

After our supper of fresh fried yellow squash and boiled green beans and new potato's,(thanks Mechelle and Andy) we took a hike out to the mailbox as it was just starting to cool down. When we got back to the house it was starting to get dark so I hand watered the gardens and back yard. Well not much exciting going on(as you can see) after the busy week-end. Our son, Bobby just called to say he was on his way home after a 4 day wilderness camp out in the mountains of Georgia. He took a group of young people hiking, rappelling,rock climbing and white water rafting. Well better go missing our family and especially our grand babies Ava and Annsley.

Worship at Cornerstone, Baptism in the River, Church wide Picnic and Softball Game and a visit at the Daltons

Wow, what a another full day and although it was a mite warm it was glorious to be in the mountains and with such life loving people. Nancy and I feel so privileged to be a part of a such a great fellowship. The folks at Cornerstone have made us feel as if we are family. We tend to think that VBS is for kids but for Nancy and I we feel getting to know the kids have helped us get to know their parents and to really build relationships. While we worked the nursery this morning we bonded with a couple of families because of our love for their children which were the same age of our grand children and our mutual love for Jesus.

After the worship service we carpooled out with Clara and Clarence Crouse to a beautiful meadow with a stream running down the middle. The meadow sat down between the hills with large trees outlining the ridge line. The stream was cold to touch and was initially for those first entering the water but with the sun shining brightly the coolness of the water appeared to refresh those baptized by immersion. There was a total of 18 baptized by Pastor B (Brian)and making a public profession of faith.

We made it back home around 2 PM and had a great fresh salad for lunch; lettuce, cuke's, chives, tomato and fresh basil all from the garden as well as garbanzo and kidney beans.Yumm We are trying to eat healthy as Eric(Nancy's brother has reminded us to be careful what we eat) just had a heart problem.

We had to be back to the ballpark and picnic area at 5PM. We chose up sides and had a great time playing ball. I pitched for both sides as there was odd number of players. We had hot dogs with chili and slaw, brownies, cookies and chips plus just a fantastic time of laughter and good fellowship. Those who didn't play ball played badminton and volley and when the older guys finished the ball game the youngsters had a great ball game. We decided to go by the Daltons on our way home and see their less than 24 hour old foal(filly).

The silky shinny black foal has 1 white rear hoof. To be less than 1 day old she is already showing her stuff with her agile long legs. Soooo Cute!!!! The new mother was a little less enthused with baby cavorting about. Andy Dalton said he had never milked a horse before but because the mother horse was leaking so much colostrum(milk) prior to the birth the Vet advised him it would be beneficial for the foal for him to save this and feed it to the foal later. What a new experience for all as he had to help the new foal through the birth canal. Isn't life great!!!!

Well before leaving the Dalton's we saw Caleb's zucchini squash that was nearly as large as a watermelon and a yellow squash that had 2 heads, we also picked enough fresh green beans as well as new potato's(red, white and blue tater's) for a good ole' patriotic dinner tomorrow night. Thanks guys. Callie showed us her 10 quail chicks she hatched out from eggs purchased on the Internet. They are so beautiful and so little. Hopefully they will all live to reproduce as they are a beautiful bird. As a youngster I recall the covey's of quail that frequented the fence rows in Northern Virginia where I grew up. They 're also know by their song " Bob White" or "Bob Bob White."

Well we made it back just after dark and reflected on what a full day we had after a full night last night. We had Kimberly(better known as Queen Kimberly as she is the injuried one in a horse accident) and Eddie( I feel sorry for him for having to wait on Queen Kimberly), Ray and Audine, Jodie and Gerald(next door neighbors from Raleigh) at our place to play Sequence. Just so you can get a mental picture of what a good whupping is think 8 games for the boys and 2 for the girls. The girls did fix great snacking material with homemade salsa and chips, nuts(the good kind), fresh blackberry cobbler with vanilla ice cream and a pound cake. Thanks girls you can't be great cooks and gamewinners all in 1 day. We love ya lots and lots!!!!

Will close for now as its been a great day of worship, food, fellowship and family fun. What more is there; except for us its missing our kids and grandkids Ava and Annsley.

Saturday is a Sleep in Morning, Picked a few Blackberries and Company is coming Tonight to Play Sequence

Well it was another beautiful(every day is beautiful when you wake up) day. It was a little warmer this Am in the middle 60's. I thought I would write this early today as I want to sent some more pics from Friday's trip down the BRP, especially to Grandfather Mountain. I wanted to send more pics on that blog but am limited to 5 at a time until I can figure out how to by pass that number.

After my quiet time this morning I took off for the top of the mountain to pick wild blackberries. Nancy and I are going to make jelly on Monday morning. I picked a couple of yellow and zucchini squash as well as 2 colanders of lettuce. I have a cucumber about ready to be picked as well as my beans are 4-5 inches long. I noticed a couple of fungi(mushrooms) growing in and near the lower gardens. They are really very pretty yet very deadly if eaten. I figured out how to send more than 5 pics so here are some of the extras from yesterday. The Carol and Paul pic is the couple we met who overheard my story on a lady afraid to cross the Skyway Bridge. Some of the others are of Moses Cone, Grandfather Mountain and the Old Hampton Store. Enjoy! Later missing our family and especially Ava and Annsley.