Much has happened the past 2 Days since we've been off line.

Wednesday(our last morning before heading back to Florida until next May) morning was a damp, drizzly, overcast and cool morning. Nancy and I had promised to be a stand in model for some friends who is marketing some very nice condos in Sparta,N.C. After our morning quiet time and a lite breakfast of cereal we headed to town. This will be first time I have ever gone out in public with Nancy with no make up in place. The condo owners, Larry and Pat had hired a production crew; that did make up and hair, figured out what clothing you were to wear, assigned all the props, lighting and hired 2 camera persons to make pictures for a brochure featuring their properties. By the way the condos are very nice and upscale. We had an absolutely fantastic time and only wish we could do this more often. Nancy feels Hollywood calling as she was the"attraction" second only to the property.(Thanks guys its tough living with her now) Everyone had a super time and we only hope we were a positive influence for a prospective buyer.

After leaving the "shoot" we turned in our DSL modem then headed back to put the cabin in a "winterized" mode and to pack up. I loaded a bushel of apples I picked from Helen's tree, bags of green and jalapeno peppers from Joe' garden and a bushel plus of home grown potatoes from my garden and friend Odell.There were 2 large hand picked pumpkins from a neighbors field and lots of homemade jelly, canned vegetables and homemade wine(Merlot and wild blackberry) I made this year. Wow what a year for farmers and gardeners. I also want to thank Andy and Caleb for the mountain trout(frozen in water) stuffed in our coolers. Many thanks to all who loaded us down with "fruits of their sweat." I also had several boxes of seedlings and flowers for my gardens and beds in Florida. We were packed and ready to go but sleep did not come that night.

Finally it was time for us to get up as we lay there most of the night waiting for the 5 AM alarm. We packed the refrigerator's and last minute things and made ready to leave at 7 AM. We used to cry all the way down the mountain; but at the same time we were excited about seeing and loving up on our family here in Florida. We were so ready to get a grand daughter fix Thursday night; however that was not to be.

We prayed and gave thanks for our cabin and all the great people we have come to know in this part of GOD'S Creation and for safe travel on our trip. Well let me say we were just a few minutes behind a major fatal crash on I-75 just about 1 1/2 hours from home. We were stopped on the interstate for 2 hours waiting when finally we were detoured through a small town 9 miles off the interstate. To make a long story short we never made it home in time to see Ava or anyone as it was after 9 PM, but we were safe and home. What an answer to prayer!!

While we were stopped on the interstate we began talking to another motorist(Chris and Bonnie Rollins) also stopped beside us. They had been on vacation to the Upper Peninsular of Michigan and were returning to Punta Gorda, Fl. Small talk began and they showed us their family pet "chunky' a bull dog. They are also retired and seemed interested in the mountains of N.C. Who knows they made be a neighbor some day. After leaving the interstate and winding through this small town for hours we met once again at the rest area some 3 hours later, small world.

Well this Friday morning found me wide awake at 6 AM and by 7 AM (after my quiet time) I was planting the seedlings in my garden after pulling weeds. At 8:15 AM I was at the Seminole Rec. Center where I met several pickleball players and got a good workout for about 2 hours. Nancy went to Publix and loaded up on groceries. I came back with a wet shirt(from the workout) and got back into the garden until Amy brought little Ava by for a visit. Ava is so cute and has grown so much. Tomorrow Annsley will be 1 years of age so we are looking forward to her big day including a party at her house in Riverview, Fl.

Well I have tried to catch all up on the "going on's" with the Triplett's the past 2 days. Life is so exciting and Nancy and I are just so thankful for all the many family members, friends and blessings. Later, missing all our mountain friends.