Thursday

It was downright cold this A.M. at 38 degrees, now that is about as cold as it ever gets in Florida for the winter. At least the wind ceased blowing so strong during the night as there was a heavy dew. Most of the day was just a beautiful day and it actually was rather warm in the direct sunshine out of the slight breeze. After our quiet times we ate a lite breakfast of cereal and fruit. We wanted to leave the cabin by 10 AM at the latest as we were planning on getting back in the early afternoon so we could go to the pumpkin fields. Well it just so happened our contact for access to the pumpkins received bad news that we were not allowed to gather any for at least 2 more weeks. Oh well !!!

We headed for Galax and got to the barber shop around 10:30. While I was getting my ears lowered Nancy found a good deal on 8 inch potted mums, 3 for 10 bucks. We bought some last year about this time and we took them back with us to Florida and then brought them back this May. They are still blooming but getting a little ragged so we will plant them before we leave in November. Most of our impatient flowers are starting to look a little ragged as well due to all the rain; but our large begonia is just beautiful. I had never grown any begonias but from now on I think I will keep them round as it looks as good as the day we purchased it in May.

We of course went to Walmart to fill a prescription, get a few groceries, anti-freeze and waterproof sealer for the deck and porches. We made a stop at Horton's to pick up a couple bags of buckwheat pancake mix, pork tenderloin and ground beef. They are a local butcher and market and always have good reasonable priced meat. Its just a country store and they are always busy. We had to stop at our propane filling station just outside of town.We got back to the cabin around 1:30, so I grilled a couple hamburgers. The temperature was still in the low 50's but the sun was warm out of the air. After lunch we decided to take an extended hike.

The hike took us up through our back woods trail, across the top and down through what we refer to as "devastation," it's an area that was logged last year. After leaving this area we hiked down the back trail along a small creek and finally ended at Grant and Shirley cabin. She was there with her 2 grand children so we stopped and chatted for about an hour. They were getting ready for the big neighborhood wienie roast they sponsor each year on the first Saturday in October. They usually have live Gospel Music, horseshoe pitching and lots of food. Everyone brings a dish to share plus a pack of dogs and buns. This party goes on into the late hours of the evening if its not to cold and sometimes the next night as well to finish up the leftovers. We will visit for awhile but we are leaving for Florida early Sunday morning so we skip the late night activities. Its a great way to renew old friendships with folks we haven't seen for a year. Lots of their family, church families, out of towner's and locals attend this yearly get together.

Well we got back to the cabin after 4 PM so we just chilled until it was time to start supper. I managed a little garden work as I transplanted some volunteer tomato plants and then fed the new mums and other plants on the porches and deck. I brought up enough new spuds from the basement for parsley potatoes. Those spuds are the best. Since most of mine rotted in the ground this year we are not bringing any to share in Florida, sorry guys. I put a couple of marinated chicken breast on the grill and Nancy sauteed the last of the zucchini squash in olive oil with onions and garlic. That is a great side dish. There was enough potato's leftover so we can have fried eggs with 'taters for breakfast Saturday morning. Yummm!!! Supper was super and that's the last Nancy can eat until late tomorrow morning as its off to the doctor to do her 6 month blood check up. I guess we will have brunch in Sparta.

Well will close for now, glad to hear Florida was in the 60's for the low today as that temp was almost our high. Looking forward to seeing all the family next week, cooking birthday dinners, grand daughter time and a little daily pickle ball. LATER.