Well the mornings are usual with our quiet times, lite eats and a ride out to the rec for some 2 plus hours of pickle ball. We have been having a good group of players so the play has been fast and furious. The heat here has been abated to where you can at least stay outside for more than 30 minutes at a time. I transplanted the tomato seedlings I brought back from N.C. into the ground yesterday after lunch and I was soaked with sweat. At least I was in the shade for the planting.
When I awakened on Wednesday the garage floor was soaked as the water softener had sprung a leak and recently the water was rather funky so I had a technician come out and work on it this morning, yikes after replacing every movable part and a resin refill I spent nearly the price of a new one. Any way we are back up and running(no pun intended) with good clean soft water once again. Amy brought the grand babies by for lunch and they made chocolate chip cookies afterwards.
The Ray's won a playoff spot on Tuesday lost a game on Wednesday and who knows what will happen tonight in Kansas City. They are still the best team in baseball but I'm starting to have some doubts about a couple of their players with all the strike outs. Oh well!! We are getting ready to head out to Sam's Club for supplies as we will celebrate GG's birthday with a family dinner on Sat. evening. Bob is bringing little Gabriel for the first time to meet this side of the family as well.
Well not much else is going on today and tomorrow Nancy will drive her parents to the doctor and then take them out to lunch on Friday for GG's birthday as well. I have to go and have a blood draw to check on my viscosity, Friday as well once. Everything seems fine with the leg at this point. LATER
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Tuesday
Well another usual morning after my quiet time and a lite breakfast before my ride out to the rec for some 2 hours of pickle ball. We had a good showing with some excellent play. I headed home after the workout to play and visit with Sam and Ava as Amy brought them by for lunch.
Amy and Nancy took off for Target with the kids and when they got back, Nancy had to take her mother to the bank. I just chilled and finished another good read about the war in Iraq. Nancy got back after stopping by the rec for her 30 minute workout on the treadmill. There wasn't much else going on until it was time to start supper and wow did we ever have a great meat. Our friends in the mountains the Dalton loaded me up with some frozen deer tenderloin. My oh my that is the best and Nancy fixed it like you would fry a fresh chicken. She was much impressed with the taste and its been years since I've eaten such good venison. Thanks Andy for sharing.
After supper and the clean up I watched a little TV and got ready to see if the Ray's would clinch a playoff spot and they did convincingly with a shutout win over the Orioles. The fan numbers were down once again but it was announced the Ray's owners where giving away 20 thousand free tickets Wednesday night for the final regular home game of this season. That was a generous gesture to this market as we are mainly a retirement community and with the high unemployment everywhere I think they were a little embarrassed with the comments of some the highly paid players who felt there wasn't enough fans attending the games.
Well lets hope the Rays play great in the playoffs and win the world series. Hopefully that would be a boost to this small market. Well I've rambled on enough, LATER
Amy and Nancy took off for Target with the kids and when they got back, Nancy had to take her mother to the bank. I just chilled and finished another good read about the war in Iraq. Nancy got back after stopping by the rec for her 30 minute workout on the treadmill. There wasn't much else going on until it was time to start supper and wow did we ever have a great meat. Our friends in the mountains the Dalton loaded me up with some frozen deer tenderloin. My oh my that is the best and Nancy fixed it like you would fry a fresh chicken. She was much impressed with the taste and its been years since I've eaten such good venison. Thanks Andy for sharing.
After supper and the clean up I watched a little TV and got ready to see if the Ray's would clinch a playoff spot and they did convincingly with a shutout win over the Orioles. The fan numbers were down once again but it was announced the Ray's owners where giving away 20 thousand free tickets Wednesday night for the final regular home game of this season. That was a generous gesture to this market as we are mainly a retirement community and with the high unemployment everywhere I think they were a little embarrassed with the comments of some the highly paid players who felt there wasn't enough fans attending the games.
Well lets hope the Rays play great in the playoffs and win the world series. Hopefully that would be a boost to this small market. Well I've rambled on enough, LATER
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Monday
Well the morning started out with the usual spot of green tea, my hand full of supplements, quiet time and a ride out to the rec on the bike. We had a good turn out with about a dozen players and some good play. The leg which had the blood clot doesn't seem to be showing any adverse effects which is great. Hopefully I can regain my old desire to play hard and seek wet shirts with every workout.
I headed home to water the few tomato plant seedling I brought back from the mountains and the new grass out front under the large oak. Amy brought Ava and Samuel by and we had lunch and played with them until it was nap time for both of them and me. I finished the GET CAPONE and it was a good read with lots of history about prohibition, Herbert Hoover's presidency and of course the organized crime that was in Chicago and Miami that surrounded Capone. He died at the young age of 48 and while he was a criminal much like the mafia, he was only convicted of income tax evasion. Actually he funded the only soup kitchen in Chicago during the Depression and was regarded as a folk hero The book was well foot noted. I started another great read entitled THE GOOD SOLDIERS which takes place in Iraq. This book described the "surge" and the men who fought in an around Baghdad with the Army and the 2-16 battalion. This story will put you not only in harms way but with those who were killed, injured and suffered mental breakdowns as well. This is a must read for all and an unforgettable price our soldiers are faced with when put in the line of fire. This embedded author, David Finkel has done an outstanding job in reporting what war was like in Iraq.
Well we finished the left over smoked chicken for supper with some left over fried spuds and frozen green peas. After the cleanup we settled in to watch the listless Ray's lose another game to the last place team in our division. I read this morning where the high price players on the team where complaining the crowd was only about 12 thousand in attendance. Well my thought on that is let these highly paid players buy some of those tickets and give them away especially since the economy is so bad with high unemployment. These spoiled millionaires just make me mad when they earn so much money by playing a game in a public funded stadium. Oh well they lost again last night and my favorable perception of them have dimmed a little. There is nothing that aggravates me more than those who complain who have it made. LATER
I headed home to water the few tomato plant seedling I brought back from the mountains and the new grass out front under the large oak. Amy brought Ava and Samuel by and we had lunch and played with them until it was nap time for both of them and me. I finished the GET CAPONE and it was a good read with lots of history about prohibition, Herbert Hoover's presidency and of course the organized crime that was in Chicago and Miami that surrounded Capone. He died at the young age of 48 and while he was a criminal much like the mafia, he was only convicted of income tax evasion. Actually he funded the only soup kitchen in Chicago during the Depression and was regarded as a folk hero The book was well foot noted. I started another great read entitled THE GOOD SOLDIERS which takes place in Iraq. This book described the "surge" and the men who fought in an around Baghdad with the Army and the 2-16 battalion. This story will put you not only in harms way but with those who were killed, injured and suffered mental breakdowns as well. This is a must read for all and an unforgettable price our soldiers are faced with when put in the line of fire. This embedded author, David Finkel has done an outstanding job in reporting what war was like in Iraq.
Well we finished the left over smoked chicken for supper with some left over fried spuds and frozen green peas. After the cleanup we settled in to watch the listless Ray's lose another game to the last place team in our division. I read this morning where the high price players on the team where complaining the crowd was only about 12 thousand in attendance. Well my thought on that is let these highly paid players buy some of those tickets and give them away especially since the economy is so bad with high unemployment. These spoiled millionaires just make me mad when they earn so much money by playing a game in a public funded stadium. Oh well they lost again last night and my favorable perception of them have dimmed a little. There is nothing that aggravates me more than those who complain who have it made. LATER
Monday, September 27, 2010
Sunday
Well it was the start of a busy day with our quiet time and a lite breakfast before getting ready to drive over to Tampa for worship at Element Church. We were greeted by several who we recognized us and made us feel welcome as well as lots of new faces. There were a couple of familiar faces from our house church and it was good to touch base with them as well as we haven't been back to our weekly Wednesday evening get together since we've returned from the mountains.
After service we headed down to Publix's to purchase fresh ground meat for burgers and tater tots for our lunch. Bobby figured out a web site to watch the blacked out BUCS on the Internet and that was a bust as we made too many errors and we were slaughtered by the STEELERS. We had the Rays game on at the same time and they too lost big time to the Mariners. Yesterday was not a great day for the sports fans in Tampa Bay. It was certainly a great day to have a little grand baby time in with Annsley and Gabriel and of course their parents. We headed out after the game for IKEA warehouse in Tampa to see about birthday presents for Annsley in October. Wow what a store that is and the parking lot was full for a Sunday evening. Its really a nice store and loaded with great bargains for the whole household. They even have a food court there and the aroma of their fresh baked cinnamon rolls permeated the lower level.
After leaving Tampa we stopped by GG and Pap's as niece Arriane was getting ready to drive back to Miami with her younger brother Evan and 2 fellow teachers who came up on Friday to view one of the Ray's games. We visited with them for a couple hours before they headed out around 8 o'clock. We then headed on home and watched a little football before turning in around 11 PM with a large electrical storm brewing outside. I don't think we got much rain. LATER
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Saturday
Well we slept in a little this morning but my internal clock had me awake at 6 but I managed to roll over and stayed horizontal until nearly 8. Wow what a feat that was as I'm usually whacking the pickle ball around at that time of the morning. After my quiet time Nancy made a mountain breakfast of left over fried tater, smoked bacon and cackleberries and with some of that good black raspberry jam on toast with a V-8 to wash it all down. Wow that kept me satisfied until supper which was around 5:30. I did have a handful of peanuts around 3 with a Dr.Pepper which is usual for me as we seldom drink sodas but we brought this back from the mountains which we had bought last May. I was afraid it would be no good but it fizzed and did taste good with the salty peanuts. When I was a kid we use to dump a pack of salted peanuts in a bottle of pop and eat them that way, sure brought back some old taste memories which tasted the same as yesteryear.
I helped Nancy with getting ready for a big family supper as we were celebrating Tyler birthday at our house. There is a long standing invitation in the family to those who have birthdays they get to choose a meal so I put a couple whole chickens in the smoker with apple wood and a couple beers in their rear with some rosemary and garlic. Yikes was that ever good eatin' along with some homegrown mountain taters and fresh carrots. Nancy also made an apple pie and a fresh blueberry pie as well from berries I had picked from around the top of the mountain and had frozen. Yumm and with frozen vanilla ice cream. I try to stay away from desserts but had to try a piece of each with ice cream on top as well. Thankfully I can work it off next week on the pickle ball court.
Well we had a house full with niece Arriane coming up from Miami with some friends to visit with Pap and to see a Rays game. Bobby just came with Annsley as Jill is just a week away from birthing Gabriel so Annsley and Ava played hard. We just sat around after eating watching the Rays annihilate the Mariners once again and now we are up 1 1/2 games on the Yanks. So if we keep winning and the Red Sox keep beating the Yanks we should win the pennant again this year. Go Rays!!!
This morning(Sunday) we are getting ready to head to Tampa for worship at Element as Bobby will be back leading worship only. He will be back next Sunday speaking(preaching). Well just an update on Pap he is not doing well even though the fluid seems to be gone from his lungs at this time. He has lost his appetite which for him was a big part of his life in recent years. He has lost about 25 pounds recently which was probably fluid to the congestive heart failure but along with that he has grown weak and frail. Keep him and all of us in your prayers and thought as he seems to have lost his spunk except for being short tempered. LATER
I helped Nancy with getting ready for a big family supper as we were celebrating Tyler birthday at our house. There is a long standing invitation in the family to those who have birthdays they get to choose a meal so I put a couple whole chickens in the smoker with apple wood and a couple beers in their rear with some rosemary and garlic. Yikes was that ever good eatin' along with some homegrown mountain taters and fresh carrots. Nancy also made an apple pie and a fresh blueberry pie as well from berries I had picked from around the top of the mountain and had frozen. Yumm and with frozen vanilla ice cream. I try to stay away from desserts but had to try a piece of each with ice cream on top as well. Thankfully I can work it off next week on the pickle ball court.
Well we had a house full with niece Arriane coming up from Miami with some friends to visit with Pap and to see a Rays game. Bobby just came with Annsley as Jill is just a week away from birthing Gabriel so Annsley and Ava played hard. We just sat around after eating watching the Rays annihilate the Mariners once again and now we are up 1 1/2 games on the Yanks. So if we keep winning and the Red Sox keep beating the Yanks we should win the pennant again this year. Go Rays!!!
This morning(Sunday) we are getting ready to head to Tampa for worship at Element as Bobby will be back leading worship only. He will be back next Sunday speaking(preaching). Well just an update on Pap he is not doing well even though the fluid seems to be gone from his lungs at this time. He has lost his appetite which for him was a big part of his life in recent years. He has lost about 25 pounds recently which was probably fluid to the congestive heart failure but along with that he has grown weak and frail. Keep him and all of us in your prayers and thought as he seems to have lost his spunk except for being short tempered. LATER
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Friday
Well pretty much the same morning with an early get up to do my quiet time, lite breakfast and a ride out to the rec for some pickle ball. The leg has responded marvelously to what the Dr. prescribed in med's and activity. I now can do 2 full hours of physical workout on the PB court. The swelling has abated the left leg and seems strong once again. After the workout I stopped by the library for a couple reads one of which is the biography on the notorious Al Capone. It is a well written book which shows the corruption in Chicago in the 1920's and I think still is evident there today. Anyhow, GET CAPONE is proving to be an eye opener about the perverse corruption that occurred in that area an time frame as well about the man himself and his family. Very interesting!!!
The kids came for lunch and Ava and Samuel are just so refreshing as they are learning so much each day. Samuel is just a smiley, happy baby and Ava is into make believe with her doll babies. They are such a blessing. We certainly miss seeing and interacting with Annsley and Baby Gaby daily but the time we do spend with them is exciting and endearing. We will see them on Sunday after church as we will go by for an afternoon visit since we will be in Tampa for church.
Well not much else happens except once again a trip to Sam's Club for fuel and food and we are entertaining the family plus cousin Arriane and Evan for beer-in -the rear chicken on the smoker tonight. I'm using some apple wood I brought back from N.C. my friend Andy gave me. It will be the first time I've ever used apple wood but I hear its the best for smoking meat. We had a meatless supper with sweet 'taters, peas and a salad and then settled in to watch the Ray's beat the Mariners and once again go into first place over the Yank's by a half game. GO RAYS!! This time of the year is a sport lover's delight as the MLB playoffs will soon be happening and of course when you have a hometown team in the contention its that much more exciting plus its football time as well and the hapless BUCS from the last 2 years have won 2 games. The attendance has fallen off because of the past 2 bad seasons so we won't be watching on TV again due to it being blacked out, Bummer!! LATER
The kids came for lunch and Ava and Samuel are just so refreshing as they are learning so much each day. Samuel is just a smiley, happy baby and Ava is into make believe with her doll babies. They are such a blessing. We certainly miss seeing and interacting with Annsley and Baby Gaby daily but the time we do spend with them is exciting and endearing. We will see them on Sunday after church as we will go by for an afternoon visit since we will be in Tampa for church.
Well not much else happens except once again a trip to Sam's Club for fuel and food and we are entertaining the family plus cousin Arriane and Evan for beer-in -the rear chicken on the smoker tonight. I'm using some apple wood I brought back from N.C. my friend Andy gave me. It will be the first time I've ever used apple wood but I hear its the best for smoking meat. We had a meatless supper with sweet 'taters, peas and a salad and then settled in to watch the Ray's beat the Mariners and once again go into first place over the Yank's by a half game. GO RAYS!! This time of the year is a sport lover's delight as the MLB playoffs will soon be happening and of course when you have a hometown team in the contention its that much more exciting plus its football time as well and the hapless BUCS from the last 2 years have won 2 games. The attendance has fallen off because of the past 2 bad seasons so we won't be watching on TV again due to it being blacked out, Bummer!! LATER
Friday, September 24, 2010
Thursday
Well it was another usual day with a few moments of quiet time, lite breakfast before riding out to the rec for some pickle ball. We had a crowd with about 10 players most of the morning with some fast and furious play. After about 2 hours I was ready for a break so I headed off to the weight room for a few crunches and dead lifts before riding home on the bike. It was a good day for burning a few calories and an attempt to once again get back into good physical shape.
Amy and the kids came for lunch so we finished off the ham salad. After lunch we just loved up on both Ava and Samuel. He is starting to clap now and sitting up pretty good, did I mention the other night he ate a whole pack of strained squash for me and he seemed to love it. Amy says he is eating his fruits and cereals now with relish. After they left for their afternoon naps I settled down for a power nap as well before catching up on some reading.
I started receiving some notices from my health insurance from when I had the DVT(blood clot)and what I have to pay out of pocket is ridiculous. We are in a terrible fix in this country if we don't get this present administration in Washington out of office in the next couple years. I'm thoroughly discussed with all those we have elected as their main objective seems is to line their pockets and forget about the job they were sent there to do. GOD help us if the liberals are re-elected another term.
Well now that I've voiced my opinion, as we all have one but I wonder how long we will all that freedom as well. We sure have slowly been allowing those in power to take that(freedoms) as well as our money away from us and we just sit back and let them do it. I need to get off my soapbox but we must not allow the main stream media sell us a bunch of people who are not for America and believe they have done a good job in the past. Please search your conscious and learn about these people who want to take our way of living and relegate it to that of a third world country, enough said.
I grilled a couple pork chops for supper and Nancy sauteed the last of the yellow squash from my N.C. garden with olive oil and fresh garlic, Yumm!! as well as some fresh broccoli and cauliflower. That was a healthy and non fattening meal. Yay!! Well better go as I've rambled too much but I worry about what kind of future we will leave for our grand kids and the debt they will incur from this gov't that is out of control spending. I'm very optimistic that at least there is some kind of movement(The Tea Party) that is starting to gain some momentum to throw these bums out in D.C. LATER
Amy and the kids came for lunch so we finished off the ham salad. After lunch we just loved up on both Ava and Samuel. He is starting to clap now and sitting up pretty good, did I mention the other night he ate a whole pack of strained squash for me and he seemed to love it. Amy says he is eating his fruits and cereals now with relish. After they left for their afternoon naps I settled down for a power nap as well before catching up on some reading.
I started receiving some notices from my health insurance from when I had the DVT(blood clot)and what I have to pay out of pocket is ridiculous. We are in a terrible fix in this country if we don't get this present administration in Washington out of office in the next couple years. I'm thoroughly discussed with all those we have elected as their main objective seems is to line their pockets and forget about the job they were sent there to do. GOD help us if the liberals are re-elected another term.
Well now that I've voiced my opinion, as we all have one but I wonder how long we will all that freedom as well. We sure have slowly been allowing those in power to take that(freedoms) as well as our money away from us and we just sit back and let them do it. I need to get off my soapbox but we must not allow the main stream media sell us a bunch of people who are not for America and believe they have done a good job in the past. Please search your conscious and learn about these people who want to take our way of living and relegate it to that of a third world country, enough said.
I grilled a couple pork chops for supper and Nancy sauteed the last of the yellow squash from my N.C. garden with olive oil and fresh garlic, Yumm!! as well as some fresh broccoli and cauliflower. That was a healthy and non fattening meal. Yay!! Well better go as I've rambled too much but I worry about what kind of future we will leave for our grand kids and the debt they will incur from this gov't that is out of control spending. I'm very optimistic that at least there is some kind of movement(The Tea Party) that is starting to gain some momentum to throw these bums out in D.C. LATER
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Wednesday
Well what a busy day especially after our quiet times, lite breakfast and then my 2 hours of pickle ball. Nancy had to take her folks to the doctor and picked me up on the way home with them so we headed over to Tampa to spend the rest of the day with Bob and his family. Nancy had boiled off a fresh ham for ham salad which we took with us for lunch along with the ingredients to make a wild blackberry cobbler for dessert.
We reached their place around one and had a great lunch of ham salad on fresh bakery buns and Kettle chips. We loved up on both Annsley and Gabriel and he gave Nancy a little boy surprise with a good stream to her arm while changing his diaper. He pretty much was content to just eat and sleep but we had a few moments with smiles and he is really strong as he is already lifting his head and looking around. He has gained 2 ounces since birth which is really unusal as most newborns lose weight their first week or so.
Bob and I took Annsley to the YMCA in Brandon which is a top notch facility with all kinds of recreation for the entire family and the place was jumping with activity. They even have free child care for their age groups. Bob and I did a little workout on some of the equipment as Annsley was entertained in her age group area. We then gathered her and headed to the pool area where she met several of her friends in the water park kiddie pool. Wow what a facility as well. I managed to get in a couple laps in their 25 yard long lap pool while Annsley played on the the water slides, etc. We headed out after a couple hours back to Bob's where he had homemade pizza dough rising. Wow did he ever make 2 super tasting pies using his own marinara sauce with fresh herbs, mushrooms, peperoni and onions. Yumm one of the best pizza's ever. Nancy made a great cobbler and with fresh frozen vanilla yogurt it was definetly a great day of eating.
We started watching the Ray's versus the Yank's and during a rain delay we headed back to Seminole. The day was a full, busy day and what a great way to celebrate 31 years together with kids and grand kids. LATER
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Sunday and Monday
Sorry about not writing these past couple days but I got lazy and also forgot. On Sunday after church we stopped and picked up lunch at Boston Market for Bob and Jill so we then visited with then at the hospital for a couple hours before heading back to Seminole to watch our BUCS take apart the PANTHERS. I'm sitting with Sam on my lap as I write now. He is such a cutie and just a little wiggle worm making all kinds of cute noises. Amy and the kids just came for lunch so I will try to update the last couple days.
Monday was pretty much the same with quiet times, lite breakfast and pedalling out to the rec for some pickle ball. We had about 12 players on Monday with some really good play and I'm starting to increase my time from an hour to about an hour and half. Afterwards I did a little yard work before it got to hot and after mowing I resowed some grass in the front yard. The kids left about 2 PM for their naps then Nancy had to drive her parents around. We headed for Winn-Dixie to get a ham so she could make ham salad for Bob when we visit them on Wednesday. Well did a meatless supper so we had fresh asparagus and parsley spuds from my 'tater patch. Hmm was that ever good eatin." Well not much else except the Ray's lost a close game to the Yank's last night so we are a game and half back. We have 3 more games with them so it will be close if we win the division; looks like we will at least make the playoffs with at least a wild card position. LATER
Monday was pretty much the same with quiet times, lite breakfast and pedalling out to the rec for some pickle ball. We had about 12 players on Monday with some really good play and I'm starting to increase my time from an hour to about an hour and half. Afterwards I did a little yard work before it got to hot and after mowing I resowed some grass in the front yard. The kids left about 2 PM for their naps then Nancy had to drive her parents around. We headed for Winn-Dixie to get a ham so she could make ham salad for Bob when we visit them on Wednesday. Well did a meatless supper so we had fresh asparagus and parsley spuds from my 'tater patch. Hmm was that ever good eatin." Well not much else except the Ray's lost a close game to the Yank's last night so we are a game and half back. We have 3 more games with them so it will be close if we win the division; looks like we will at least make the playoffs with at least a wild card position. LATER
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Saturday Gabriel's Birthday
Well it was a very momentous day that started out with a most restless night on Friday as we were anticipating a phone call through out the night. Jill was admitted to the hospital in Brandon around 10 PM with contractions a couple minutes apart and she was told on Friday that if she was admitted she would only leave with Baby Gabriel sometime in the next few hours. Well by 9AM Saturday morning still no baby but the doctor was going to break her water so we headed off to Brandon(near Tampa).
We got to see Bob and Jill before she went into intense(pushing) labor which didn't occur until after about 12:30 and by 1:16 little Gabriel appeared for all the world to see. My is he a much viewed little fellow with lots of pictures taken of him and of course much discussed and fussed over. Well he is a little on the small side when compared to his father's birth weight but he is just perfect otherwise. His maternal grand parents (Brian and Susan) as well as his aunts Leslie and Laura were in the waiting room with us as well as his now big sister Annsley. It was a joyous occasion and everything proceeded normally without cause for concern. We got to finally hold him and Jill looked marvelous. Bobby was walking on Cloud Nine holding and showing off his son and of course Nancy and I were thrilled as well and this little fellow who will grow to probably be bigger than his father will have the distinction of being the last male to carry on the Triplett name for our family. Wow that's a lot to put on this little fellow.
Well we got back to to Seminole just before dark and enjoyed once again watching Ava and Sam while Tyler and Amy had a dinner date at Carrabas. Samuel now seems so large after holding little Gabriel and we are thrilled that each of the boys will have cousins separated only by a few months. Our family sure has expanded since Nancy and I married nearly 31 years ago this next Wednesday. We feel so blessed and are thankful for GOD'S generous love, blessings and friends for us and our family.
Well its off to worship with a great body of believers at Element Church this morning and afterwards to the hospital to visit Gabriel and his parents. We learned from an earlier phone call that he was nursing just fine and that mom and dad had a good night of rest. LATER
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Friday
Well the morning started out the usual with a "spot of green tea", my quiet time and then a lite breakfast before riding out to the rec on the 10- speed for some pickle ball. The leg seems to be getting stronger everyday( getting back into shape) and shows no ill effects of the activity. The doctor said to go back to my normal physical activity and I love it. I did regulate myself in certain areas and did limit the time I spend on the court to an hour and a half. Next week I want to go back to the 2 hour playtime. After PB I pedalled home and got ready to head out to Quest Diagnostics for a blood draw to ascertain the viscosity of my blood. At the Dr's office they do a pin prick and put the drop of blood on a slide and a little hand held machine immediately gives you the results but at Quest they take a whole vial and will send your results in days. So I will keep on the cumadin at the regiment Dr.K prescribed until I hear differently.
We headed to Sam's after Quest to pick up some goodies for the coming days then dropped off some off at GG and Pap's house on the way back home. Pap looks weak but is walking around and still eats good as that seems to be the one happiness in his life right now. Amy and the kids came for lunch and stayed until it was nap time for them as well as for me. Nancy took off for the rec to get her 30 minutes in on the treadmill.
We had some great fried fish with spinach and wild rice for supper, then settled in to watch the Ray's suffer a loss which they should have one. We received a call that Jill was being taken to the hospital and that Baby Gabby should be born sometime during the night or on Saturday morning. We slept very little and learned on Saturday morning the Dr. was going to break her water sometime around 8 AM. Looks like we will have another grandson sometime on Saturday. WE will head out of here around 9 o'clock for Brandon.LATER
We headed to Sam's after Quest to pick up some goodies for the coming days then dropped off some off at GG and Pap's house on the way back home. Pap looks weak but is walking around and still eats good as that seems to be the one happiness in his life right now. Amy and the kids came for lunch and stayed until it was nap time for them as well as for me. Nancy took off for the rec to get her 30 minutes in on the treadmill.
We had some great fried fish with spinach and wild rice for supper, then settled in to watch the Ray's suffer a loss which they should have one. We received a call that Jill was being taken to the hospital and that Baby Gabby should be born sometime during the night or on Saturday morning. We slept very little and learned on Saturday morning the Dr. was going to break her water sometime around 8 AM. Looks like we will have another grandson sometime on Saturday. WE will head out of here around 9 o'clock for Brandon.LATER
Friday, September 17, 2010
Thursday
Well it is another warm one here in Hot sunny Florida so after my quiet time and a lite breakfast I headed out to the rec on the bike for some pickle ball. I once again limited myself to about an hour and a half before heading out on the bike for home. I managed to saw off a couple low hanging branches while standing on the roof and to retrieve some branches that had blown down overnight onto the roof. I then fixed the back yard fence as finally someone has taken over the abandoned house and property. The place was a pigsty with weeds and trees just about covering the back yard. I met the new owners who are fixing it up to rent. She is personal injury attorney in St.Pete and I had met her before in court while I was still with FHP. She remembered me as well.
Amy and the kids came for lunch so we settled in with them until they left around 2:30 then I took a little nap as well. Nancy took off to the rec to get in her 30 minutes on the treadmill. She fixed ribs, green beans and a salad for supper. After eating we just took it easy with me doing some travel blog readings. Well not much else going on as we still have no baby Gabriel as of today. LATER
Amy and the kids came for lunch so we settled in with them until they left around 2:30 then I took a little nap as well. Nancy took off to the rec to get in her 30 minutes on the treadmill. She fixed ribs, green beans and a salad for supper. After eating we just took it easy with me doing some travel blog readings. Well not much else going on as we still have no baby Gabriel as of today. LATER
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Pics from Wednesday
We spent an afternoon visiting with Bob, Jill and Annsley and hoping little Gabriel would show up, but he had other plans and isn't ready to bless us with his presence. It was a fun day and we really enjoye Ansley. She now can spell her name and even write the letters and my what a swimmer she is, just fearless.
Wednesday
Well after the usual few quiet moments and a banana for breakfast I jumped on the 10-speed and headed to the rec for some pickle ball. I'm gradually working myself back to 2 hours but for now the most has been a little over an hour at a time. Wow does it ever feel good to be back on the court with no leg pain. After PB I headed home so we could get ready to head to Riverview to visit with Bob, Jill and Annsley.
We got there around 11:30 Am so after a while we headed out to Brandon one of Annsley's favorite places for lunch, Robecks. They make awesome smoothies and great wholesome wraps. We had a wonderful lunch with none of the usual unhealthy ingredients, they are a little pricey but well worth the delicious fare. After lunch we browsed around the antique mall hoping to maybe wake little Gabriel into coming out and seeing us, but to no avail. We headed by to Bob's and he and Ansley and myself got ready for the pool. My is Annsley a little water bug and to think she's not even 3 yet. She swims to the bottom and goes between our legs as well as does the breast stroke and floats on her back. She is unbelievable and has absolutely no fear of the water and her endurance is just amazing. We were at the pool a good hour and a half before heading back to Bob's. We left shortly thereafter as it was Annsley nap time. What a fun time we had.
We got back to Seminole around 4:30 and just chilled until it was time to start some supper. We decided the fresh yellow squash I brought back from our N.C. garden was just what we needed, so Nancy fried up 2 large ones and we ate that along with some leftover jumbalyia Amy had brought over for lunch. Mmm was that ever good as well. After the clean up I settled in to watch the evening news and was excited to hear the now famous Tea Party is starting to make some waves and hopefully those who think of themselves as the Establishment will begin to fear for their jobs in the Congress. I say toss(vote) all the bums outs and lets start over this time with term limits in both Houses, far to long their main goal is to be elected and to fatten their personal wealth while the rest of the country flounders. Go TEA PARTY and lets hope their intentions are in trying to bring America back to the once proud nation that's its people were.
Well the Ray's took over first place in their division by beating the Yanks 2 out of 3 in really close and not to be forgotten games. LATER
We got there around 11:30 Am so after a while we headed out to Brandon one of Annsley's favorite places for lunch, Robecks. They make awesome smoothies and great wholesome wraps. We had a wonderful lunch with none of the usual unhealthy ingredients, they are a little pricey but well worth the delicious fare. After lunch we browsed around the antique mall hoping to maybe wake little Gabriel into coming out and seeing us, but to no avail. We headed by to Bob's and he and Ansley and myself got ready for the pool. My is Annsley a little water bug and to think she's not even 3 yet. She swims to the bottom and goes between our legs as well as does the breast stroke and floats on her back. She is unbelievable and has absolutely no fear of the water and her endurance is just amazing. We were at the pool a good hour and a half before heading back to Bob's. We left shortly thereafter as it was Annsley nap time. What a fun time we had.
We got back to Seminole around 4:30 and just chilled until it was time to start some supper. We decided the fresh yellow squash I brought back from our N.C. garden was just what we needed, so Nancy fried up 2 large ones and we ate that along with some leftover jumbalyia Amy had brought over for lunch. Mmm was that ever good as well. After the clean up I settled in to watch the evening news and was excited to hear the now famous Tea Party is starting to make some waves and hopefully those who think of themselves as the Establishment will begin to fear for their jobs in the Congress. I say toss(vote) all the bums outs and lets start over this time with term limits in both Houses, far to long their main goal is to be elected and to fatten their personal wealth while the rest of the country flounders. Go TEA PARTY and lets hope their intentions are in trying to bring America back to the once proud nation that's its people were.
Well the Ray's took over first place in their division by beating the Yanks 2 out of 3 in really close and not to be forgotten games. LATER
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Tuesday
Well it was the usual Florida morning with a few moments of quiet times and a banana for breakfast before I pedalled out to the rec. The leg is coming along and seems to be recovering from the blood clot thanks to my N.C. doctor, shots of Heparin and daily doses of cumidan(sic) or better known as rat poisoning. Anyhow I made the 8 o'clock Pickle ball session and stayed for only an hour and a half as nurse Nancy warned me to not over do it or she would get the big needle out for me once again. My oh my I can't tell you how great it felt to stroke the ball and to once again play competitively with all my PB friends. Physical activity is a just great!!!
After PB , Amy and the kids came for lunch and once again it was great to hold and love up on grand kids and to see their smile when you recognize and call them by name. I never would have thought being a grand parent would be so much fun and rewarding. We just chilled as it was to darn hot outside for any other activity until supper time. I grilled some grouper given to us about a month ago which I had frozen in water and it tasted as fresh as the day it was caught. We had a great supper with parsley spuds from my 'tater patch at the cabin and some store bought broccoli and cauliflower. We settled in to watch our Ray's nearly beat the Yank's in a real thriller as we came back from 6 runs downs to go ahead in the 9th inning, but to lose with the long ball once again. LATER
After PB , Amy and the kids came for lunch and once again it was great to hold and love up on grand kids and to see their smile when you recognize and call them by name. I never would have thought being a grand parent would be so much fun and rewarding. We just chilled as it was to darn hot outside for any other activity until supper time. I grilled some grouper given to us about a month ago which I had frozen in water and it tasted as fresh as the day it was caught. We had a great supper with parsley spuds from my 'tater patch at the cabin and some store bought broccoli and cauliflower. We settled in to watch our Ray's nearly beat the Yank's in a real thriller as we came back from 6 runs downs to go ahead in the 9th inning, but to lose with the long ball once again. LATER
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Monday
Not much going on here in Hot Florida. After our quiet times and a lite breakfast I rode out to the rec for some pickle ball. It sure was good to renew old friendships and get in about an hour of play. I took it easy and paced myself so as to not cause any further damage to the leg. It felt good and now it will just take some time to get back into shape.
Amy and the kids came for lunch as well as GG as Nancy was taking her to pick Pap Pap up from the hospital after lunch.We had a great lunch as I made a large salad some of which came from my N.C. garden; there was 'maters( small but tasty), cukes, sugar peas and onions.
After the kids left Nancy took off to the hospital and I just chilled catching up on some reading. We fixed some chicken on the grill and Nancy sauteed some fresh squash we brought back from the mountains, YUMM!! The Ray's won over the Yanks last night!! LATER
Amy and the kids came for lunch as well as GG as Nancy was taking her to pick Pap Pap up from the hospital after lunch.We had a great lunch as I made a large salad some of which came from my N.C. garden; there was 'maters( small but tasty), cukes, sugar peas and onions.
After the kids left Nancy took off to the hospital and I just chilled catching up on some reading. We fixed some chicken on the grill and Nancy sauteed some fresh squash we brought back from the mountains, YUMM!! The Ray's won over the Yanks last night!! LATER
Monday, September 13, 2010
Just a couple pics
The lady standing with us is artist P.Buckley Moss. She does wonder painting in the Amish motiff. She is a very down home gal and is quite personable. She was signing a couple books for Samuel and baby Gabriel that she had illustrated.
The pics on the floor with Samuel and Ava were taken Sunday after church when the Ross's came for lunch. Both Ava and Samuel have changed so much in 3 weeks. It was a fun time to see them again and were are anxiously awaiting the arrival of baby Gabriel.
Sunday
Whew is it Hot and Muggy here with 90's everyday and bright hot sunshine. The a/c runs constantly, oh how I like those cool, quiet moments in the mountains. Well Sunday morning found us bright eyed and fully awake too early but none the less thankfully in good health and spirits. We were going to have to miss worship at Element Church because of having to run Nancy's mom back and forth to the hospital to see her dad, as she never learned to drive. After our quiet times and a light breakfast Nancy took off.
I just took it easy and eventually got to watch a little football and baseball. The BUCS were blacked out as the ticket sales were down because of lots of reasons so we watched the Dolphins beat the Bills and the Ray's blew a 5-4 lead in the bottom of the 9th, luckily the Yankees lost so we stayed in contention to catch them for the divisional race.
Bobby called about 8:30 that he was taking Jill to the hospital as she was having contractions and had reached 4 cm of dilation He called about midnight and they decided to send her home and try another day. Gabriel is just taking his time about coming out to play but we are ready for him just the same.
I'm writing this on Monday morning after playing about an hour of pickle ball at the rec. The leg felt fine and it was good to join all my friends there for some good play. There were 12 players all together and although Nancy made me give it up after an hour I had a good work out. I rode my bike up and back then stopped off at the library for a couple reads. Just talked to Bobby and Jill had a good nights sleep after getting back from their trip to the hospital. LATER
I just took it easy and eventually got to watch a little football and baseball. The BUCS were blacked out as the ticket sales were down because of lots of reasons so we watched the Dolphins beat the Bills and the Ray's blew a 5-4 lead in the bottom of the 9th, luckily the Yankees lost so we stayed in contention to catch them for the divisional race.
Bobby called about 8:30 that he was taking Jill to the hospital as she was having contractions and had reached 4 cm of dilation He called about midnight and they decided to send her home and try another day. Gabriel is just taking his time about coming out to play but we are ready for him just the same.
I'm writing this on Monday morning after playing about an hour of pickle ball at the rec. The leg felt fine and it was good to join all my friends there for some good play. There were 12 players all together and although Nancy made me give it up after an hour I had a good work out. I rode my bike up and back then stopped off at the library for a couple reads. Just talked to Bobby and Jill had a good nights sleep after getting back from their trip to the hospital. LATER
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Friday and Saturday
Well the morning was magnificent with cool temps and bright sunshine for most of the day on Friday. After our quiet times and a lite breakfast we did some chores around the cabin not knowing if and when we were going to have to leave for Florida. We needed to get a couple books signed for baby Samuel and baby soon to be born Gabriel by one of our favorite artists P.Buckley Moss. She was in Galax, Va for the 75th year celebration of the opening of the Blue Ridge Parkway, as a matter of fact she did a beautiful painting with several of the more famous spots in the painting that are found along the parkway. We were also meeting Joe and Helen at Flossie's restaurant for supper. Well on the way to town we learned Nancy's dad had been admitted to the hospital so we decided maybe it was best if we left for Florida right a way so after eating we did the book signing then headed to Sparta to pick up my prescription then headed back to the cabin and pack.
We had to cancel all of our activities with the 4-H Horse Show as well as a football party after church on Sunday. Oh well, we pulled out from the cabin at 3:45 AM this morning and made it back to HOT Florida around 3:30. We made several stops so I could get out and walk for at least 15 minutes about every 1 1/2 hours of driving. My leg did fine and I managed to do some limited exercising while driving.
Well the ambiance is sure different here but we learned her dad is doing better in the hospital where they can monitor his medications as well as keep him on oxygen. We also learned Jill is 4 centimeters and her "mucus plug" has popped whatever that is, so delivery is close at hand. Well gonna call it a day and tomorrow we will get see our grand babies. LATER
We had to cancel all of our activities with the 4-H Horse Show as well as a football party after church on Sunday. Oh well, we pulled out from the cabin at 3:45 AM this morning and made it back to HOT Florida around 3:30. We made several stops so I could get out and walk for at least 15 minutes about every 1 1/2 hours of driving. My leg did fine and I managed to do some limited exercising while driving.
Well the ambiance is sure different here but we learned her dad is doing better in the hospital where they can monitor his medications as well as keep him on oxygen. We also learned Jill is 4 centimeters and her "mucus plug" has popped whatever that is, so delivery is close at hand. Well gonna call it a day and tomorrow we will get see our grand babies. LATER
Friday, September 10, 2010
Thursday
Well it was another wake up at 6 AM so we could make an 8 o'clock doctor's appointment in Sparta. We skipped breakfast and just did our quiet times before heading out on this chilly but beautiful morning. The temp's read 48 but quickly warmed to the 70's levels by noon with bright sunshine and blue skies. It truly was just gorgeous outside. The blood viscosity has finally reached an acceptable level and now we must regulate the dosage of cumadin for a couple months to keep it at this level, so I'm back for another visit in a week(that's if we are still here) and a prescription refill.
After leaving Sparta we decided we needed to pick up some stone ground buckwheat pancake mix to take back to Florida as several want some, so we headed to Galax, Va. On the way there is a small diner called the Cupboard which just does breakfast and lunch daily. We had eaten there before and the food was down home good. So we each had an omelet, home fries and a biscuit. On the way out we noticed 2 couples and we overheard the name of Tampa mentioned so as we were both leaving we asked them about Tampa and both couples were from the area. Both of them are retired and one couple, Steve and Diana sold their home and bought a huge motor home which they now live in and travel all around the country. They do head back to Florida during the Jan. Feb. and March where he sells motor homes at Lazy Days on I-4. The other couple John and Kay are veterinarians in the Temple Terrace area and are just visiting the mountains here for the first time, John is also an avid pickle baller as well. We had a great time sharing about the area, our kids and grand kids and hopefully we can meet up with them before we head back.
After leaving the Cupboard we headed to downtown Galax and did some walking and visiting in several stores while waiting for Nancy's prescription to be filled at CVS. We checked into the Framers Daughter store where P. Buckley Moss, a local artist from St.Pete who has galleries all over the country will be there on Friday evening for a signing. We purchased a couple books she illustrated when Annsley and Ava were babies and she signed them for us so we are heading over to the signing on Friday to have a couple boy books she has illustrated for Samuel and Gabriel.
We had a great hike when we got back from town and I spent the afternoon piddling around before settling down to watch the US OPEN. Well not much else is happening as I grilled some marinated salmon steaks on the grill for supper along with canned peas and yellow rice. LATER
After leaving Sparta we decided we needed to pick up some stone ground buckwheat pancake mix to take back to Florida as several want some, so we headed to Galax, Va. On the way there is a small diner called the Cupboard which just does breakfast and lunch daily. We had eaten there before and the food was down home good. So we each had an omelet, home fries and a biscuit. On the way out we noticed 2 couples and we overheard the name of Tampa mentioned so as we were both leaving we asked them about Tampa and both couples were from the area. Both of them are retired and one couple, Steve and Diana sold their home and bought a huge motor home which they now live in and travel all around the country. They do head back to Florida during the Jan. Feb. and March where he sells motor homes at Lazy Days on I-4. The other couple John and Kay are veterinarians in the Temple Terrace area and are just visiting the mountains here for the first time, John is also an avid pickle baller as well. We had a great time sharing about the area, our kids and grand kids and hopefully we can meet up with them before we head back.
After leaving the Cupboard we headed to downtown Galax and did some walking and visiting in several stores while waiting for Nancy's prescription to be filled at CVS. We checked into the Framers Daughter store where P. Buckley Moss, a local artist from St.Pete who has galleries all over the country will be there on Friday evening for a signing. We purchased a couple books she illustrated when Annsley and Ava were babies and she signed them for us so we are heading over to the signing on Friday to have a couple boy books she has illustrated for Samuel and Gabriel.
We had a great hike when we got back from town and I spent the afternoon piddling around before settling down to watch the US OPEN. Well not much else is happening as I grilled some marinated salmon steaks on the grill for supper along with canned peas and yellow rice. LATER
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Wednesday
Yikes, what a day as we finally got so liquid falling from the sky to quench the dry earth and give some relief to my plants. We had nearly a half inch over several hours. What a good soft soaking rain. The air smelled so clean and fresh as we walked out to the mailbox in the afternoon as it was too wet to hike through the woods. The morning was the usual with quiet times and then a great breakfast of leftover fried 'taters, eggs, grits and toast with black raspberry jam. SOOO good!!
I just spent the biggest part of the day watching the US OPEN until the skies cleared off and we could get outside. We ran up on a large "Blackie" about 4 feet long and big around as my wrist as we hiked out to the mailbox. He or she was a beautiful thing and we like having them around as they ward off the poisonous kind plus they are good rodent killers. I piddled around taking down tomato stakes and transplanting some volunteer tomato plants to take back to Florida for the winter garden.
Tomorrow its back to the doc's for a finger prick and a viscosity check of my blood. The leg seems to be getting stronger everyday and the ache has disappeared for now. Well the Ray's got blown out last night by the very team they blew out the night before. LATER
I just spent the biggest part of the day watching the US OPEN until the skies cleared off and we could get outside. We ran up on a large "Blackie" about 4 feet long and big around as my wrist as we hiked out to the mailbox. He or she was a beautiful thing and we like having them around as they ward off the poisonous kind plus they are good rodent killers. I piddled around taking down tomato stakes and transplanting some volunteer tomato plants to take back to Florida for the winter garden.
Tomorrow its back to the doc's for a finger prick and a viscosity check of my blood. The leg seems to be getting stronger everyday and the ache has disappeared for now. Well the Ray's got blown out last night by the very team they blew out the night before. LATER
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Pictures from Tuesday
All except for the lemon pie these were taken on Tuesday as we gatted about on our golf cart; over to vist with our "mountain mom" Helen, pumpkin fields and cow field. I caught Nancy on the computer and she caught me kicked back watching tennis.
Tuesday
The day started out with temps rather warm for here with the high 60's as we once again slept in until nearly 8 o'clock. It was looking like another day of bright sunshine with deep blue skies and a slight breeze. While the temps did climb to the middle 80's the shaded areas were nice with no or very little humidity. After a bad breakfast for me; 2 pieces of blueberry buckle heated with butter on top, Ahhh!!! that was good but I just felt stuffed all morning until Nancy brought out the cold leftover meatloaf for lunch. That is a strong weakness for me as we had pita bread slathered with mayo, sweet onion, meatloaf in the middle with tomato and lettuce on top. Wow do we know how to put back on the 5 pounds I had dropped the last couple weeks. Lets get away from food!!!
I checked all the gardens after my quiet time and the blueberry buckle, actually there was one piece left so we bagged it and eventually took it over to our mountain mom in the afternoon. I had to get it away from us. Speaking of blueberries I cranked up the golf cart and head to the patch on top at Helen's to once again pick about a quart of the berries. They sure are nice and so plentiful and I dearly hate to see them go to waste, looks as if with a little rain there are still unripe ones for later pickings. Nancy and I headed out on our first hike of the day. We took our time just enjoying the views and the ambiance of the woods. We got back and had a delicious lunch then just chilled while I watched a little of the US OPEN while she Facebooked. We decided to take a golf cart ride over to scenic valley and visited with our "mountain mom, Helen" and on the way we saw where harvest time has begun with the pumpkins. Loads of the orange round balls where being tossed from the ground to workers in these huge cardboard crates. The fields were piled with thousands of pumpkins. We had a nice visit with Helen as we sat out on her back porch and stared off into the distances as she a wonderful view all the way into the mountain ranges of Virginia. Such a peaceful setting with just a few farmhouses interrupting the mountain views. She spoiled us with an orange dream sickle, oh my are they ever good.
Well we headed out for the cabin and stopped along the way to shoot(take pictures) a large black Angus bull and his harem, wow was he ever a good looking specimen; what nice porterhouses he would make. Seems after this past weekend of eating good (fat) for 3 days I'm having a hard time to adjusting to more mundane fare like vegetables and salad. Well we visited with Carl Hudson and a friend as we met them in the drive as they were heading to the mailbox on a 4 wheeler. We caught up on whats been going on in our lives in about 30 minutes. It was good to know they are doing fine and have been traveling all over the northeast. He is retired and a couple years my senior as he mentioned they were celebrating their 50 high school reunion, wow now that I checked my figures(hands and toes) I'm only 4 years shy of reaching that mark as well, where did all those years go??
We got back to the cabin and decided once again on what was for supper. I had dug spuds a couple days ago and had nipped a few so we decided to boil them up and add fresh parsley and butter as well as sauteed some fresh yellow and Zucchini squash with garlic in olive oil and no meat. Yikes is that ever good especially with a little soy sauce sprinkled on top. After supper I cleaned up the dishes and Nancy retrieved the laundry hanging outside on the clothesline, my what a nice clean smell they have after being in the bright sunshine all day.
We decide on another evening hike as we try to strengthen our legs and resolve to lose a little of the extra we put on this past holiday of 3 days of gorging ourselves. So it was pleasant and really neat as we walked through the shadows with the sunset barely visible over Bullhead Mountain. The evening birds and insects were starting to sing their melodious sounds in the cool evening air. We noticed the hoof prints where a deer had been coming down our trail at the back of the cabin as we headed up to the top and we saw 2 very large deer near the top as they jumped to safety into the woods. After getting back to the cabin; the breeze had subsided and the darkness that brings some moisture was evident so I decided it was a good time to burn trash. With 1 match I soon had a nice fire going of course I used lighter knot and newspaper but I soon had a really nice fire then I just added the trash; everything that isn't metal or I can't compost goes in the fire. Well we spent the evening with me watching on the computer,the Ray's annihilate the Red Sox 14-5 and Nancy with RFD, HGTV and The Dugger's. We finally called it an evening around midnight. LATER
I checked all the gardens after my quiet time and the blueberry buckle, actually there was one piece left so we bagged it and eventually took it over to our mountain mom in the afternoon. I had to get it away from us. Speaking of blueberries I cranked up the golf cart and head to the patch on top at Helen's to once again pick about a quart of the berries. They sure are nice and so plentiful and I dearly hate to see them go to waste, looks as if with a little rain there are still unripe ones for later pickings. Nancy and I headed out on our first hike of the day. We took our time just enjoying the views and the ambiance of the woods. We got back and had a delicious lunch then just chilled while I watched a little of the US OPEN while she Facebooked. We decided to take a golf cart ride over to scenic valley and visited with our "mountain mom, Helen" and on the way we saw where harvest time has begun with the pumpkins. Loads of the orange round balls where being tossed from the ground to workers in these huge cardboard crates. The fields were piled with thousands of pumpkins. We had a nice visit with Helen as we sat out on her back porch and stared off into the distances as she a wonderful view all the way into the mountain ranges of Virginia. Such a peaceful setting with just a few farmhouses interrupting the mountain views. She spoiled us with an orange dream sickle, oh my are they ever good.
Well we headed out for the cabin and stopped along the way to shoot(take pictures) a large black Angus bull and his harem, wow was he ever a good looking specimen; what nice porterhouses he would make. Seems after this past weekend of eating good (fat) for 3 days I'm having a hard time to adjusting to more mundane fare like vegetables and salad. Well we visited with Carl Hudson and a friend as we met them in the drive as they were heading to the mailbox on a 4 wheeler. We caught up on whats been going on in our lives in about 30 minutes. It was good to know they are doing fine and have been traveling all over the northeast. He is retired and a couple years my senior as he mentioned they were celebrating their 50 high school reunion, wow now that I checked my figures(hands and toes) I'm only 4 years shy of reaching that mark as well, where did all those years go??
We got back to the cabin and decided once again on what was for supper. I had dug spuds a couple days ago and had nipped a few so we decided to boil them up and add fresh parsley and butter as well as sauteed some fresh yellow and Zucchini squash with garlic in olive oil and no meat. Yikes is that ever good especially with a little soy sauce sprinkled on top. After supper I cleaned up the dishes and Nancy retrieved the laundry hanging outside on the clothesline, my what a nice clean smell they have after being in the bright sunshine all day.
We decide on another evening hike as we try to strengthen our legs and resolve to lose a little of the extra we put on this past holiday of 3 days of gorging ourselves. So it was pleasant and really neat as we walked through the shadows with the sunset barely visible over Bullhead Mountain. The evening birds and insects were starting to sing their melodious sounds in the cool evening air. We noticed the hoof prints where a deer had been coming down our trail at the back of the cabin as we headed up to the top and we saw 2 very large deer near the top as they jumped to safety into the woods. After getting back to the cabin; the breeze had subsided and the darkness that brings some moisture was evident so I decided it was a good time to burn trash. With 1 match I soon had a nice fire going of course I used lighter knot and newspaper but I soon had a really nice fire then I just added the trash; everything that isn't metal or I can't compost goes in the fire. Well we spent the evening with me watching on the computer,the Ray's annihilate the Red Sox 14-5 and Nancy with RFD, HGTV and The Dugger's. We finally called it an evening around midnight. LATER
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Monday --Labor Day
Well did we ever sleep in this AM as it was after 8 before we rolled out of the sack(old USAF expression) to mild temps at about 60 degrees. After a cup of hot green tea and my quiet time I ventured out into the "never before breathed" fresh crisp air to walk around the gardens. The sun was just streaming through the very tops of the trees and the birds were singing away. Oh my what a glorious feeling when your in the woods and surrounded by all things GOD made. The smell is just intoxicating!!! Anyhow I'm trying to store that moment somewhere in the recesses of my mind for future days when we head back to Hot, Muggy Florida.
I waved to neighbor Jodi and son Gabriel as I heard them crank up and leave for Raleigh, hopefully we will get to see them again sometime in October, we will see hubby Gerald as he comes up regular and especially now that deer season opens soon. Gerald and I did a number on the gals Friday night in Spades with a game a piece for each so we have a rubber game to settle the score on our next get together.
After hanging a load of laundry Nancy and I headed out to the top of the mountain where we saw and visited with lots of weekenders; Roddy and Kathy, Tommy and Carol and waved at Fred. The hike was really great with just enough coolness in the shaded areas to keep you refreshed and enough bright warm sunshine on top to make you long for the shaded areas. Wow the air was so clear we could see the buildings in downtown Winston-Salem and possibly as far Greensboro. The leg felt wonderful and if I hadn't been asked how I was doing I won't have given the leg a second thought. I received lots of well wishes, thoughts and prayers for my health and they ALL were greatly appreciated.
After a great lunch of salad which we ate outside on the front porch I settled in to watch the US OPEN and Nancy once again busied herself in the kitchen making a blueberry(I picked fresh growing on top) buckle( cake in a pan) and baked beans for our small group get together at the Dalton Ranch. What a beautiful afternoon as we drove along the parkway to their place, except for the spill over of the baked beans onto Nancy's pants and shirts. Yikes what a mess but we survived that incident somehow my driving contributed to that fiasco. The food was awesome once again with Andy making some deer burgers mixed in with the beef burgers and dogs as well as cole slaw, beans, squash casserole. chips, cake etc. The deer was just awesome and if I never ate beef again it wouldn't bother me as the venison is so good with no hormones and very little fat. Andy fixed me up with a couple packs of deer meat to bring home for later use. THANKS ANDY!!!
After eating and sitting on the back porch, throwing the football with kids(that Kallie is quite the football thrower and receiver) we headed inside just before dark to set up the Sequence board. This night it was all guys as the gals were getting whipped 3-1(best of 5) until they decided it should be best of 7. We still prevailed with a victory of 4-3 for a change. A fun time was had by all. Well got home in time to see the end of the Hokies and the Broncos game . That was a good game except the Hokies let that one get away. LATER
I waved to neighbor Jodi and son Gabriel as I heard them crank up and leave for Raleigh, hopefully we will get to see them again sometime in October, we will see hubby Gerald as he comes up regular and especially now that deer season opens soon. Gerald and I did a number on the gals Friday night in Spades with a game a piece for each so we have a rubber game to settle the score on our next get together.
After hanging a load of laundry Nancy and I headed out to the top of the mountain where we saw and visited with lots of weekenders; Roddy and Kathy, Tommy and Carol and waved at Fred. The hike was really great with just enough coolness in the shaded areas to keep you refreshed and enough bright warm sunshine on top to make you long for the shaded areas. Wow the air was so clear we could see the buildings in downtown Winston-Salem and possibly as far Greensboro. The leg felt wonderful and if I hadn't been asked how I was doing I won't have given the leg a second thought. I received lots of well wishes, thoughts and prayers for my health and they ALL were greatly appreciated.
After a great lunch of salad which we ate outside on the front porch I settled in to watch the US OPEN and Nancy once again busied herself in the kitchen making a blueberry(I picked fresh growing on top) buckle( cake in a pan) and baked beans for our small group get together at the Dalton Ranch. What a beautiful afternoon as we drove along the parkway to their place, except for the spill over of the baked beans onto Nancy's pants and shirts. Yikes what a mess but we survived that incident somehow my driving contributed to that fiasco. The food was awesome once again with Andy making some deer burgers mixed in with the beef burgers and dogs as well as cole slaw, beans, squash casserole. chips, cake etc. The deer was just awesome and if I never ate beef again it wouldn't bother me as the venison is so good with no hormones and very little fat. Andy fixed me up with a couple packs of deer meat to bring home for later use. THANKS ANDY!!!
After eating and sitting on the back porch, throwing the football with kids(that Kallie is quite the football thrower and receiver) we headed inside just before dark to set up the Sequence board. This night it was all guys as the gals were getting whipped 3-1(best of 5) until they decided it should be best of 7. We still prevailed with a victory of 4-3 for a change. A fun time was had by all. Well got home in time to see the end of the Hokies and the Broncos game . That was a good game except the Hokies let that one get away. LATER
Monday, September 6, 2010
Sunday
It was 44 this AM at 4:30 in the morning; of course I wasn't awake until after 7:30 and it was 50 by then, but Joe and Helen were up and it was nippy. There is really a touch of Fall in the air and it does feel so good for a change. After our quiet times and a lite breakfast we got really for worship at Cornerstone and headed out about 9:30 for Sparta. The sky is so blue here as there is so little smog. Pastor Brian did a real good job in reminding us that we are to serve our fellow man and that each of us have our own special talents and abilities that make us unique but we are an integral part in the overall body of believers. Great message!!!
After leaving Cornerstone we stopped by Lowes for some last minute goodies for the cookout on Monday as we had everything needed for todays get together with the Dalton's, Huffman's and Joe and Helen. What another feast as Nancy put together a meat loaf, Mechelle made a superb Zucchini casserole as well as a red raspberry cobbler, Kay made a delish mac and cheese and Helen a beautiful but even tastier lemon pie. WOW was everything delicious!!! After clearing off the tables and washing a few dishes we got the board, chips and cards out for some Sequence. What a knock down, drag out game we had with the gals prevailing on the last hand once again. I'm beginning to think this is to much of a feminine game and maybe we should play Stratego, Risk or Battleship, something with a little more gore. Anyhow we were gracious in defeat, NOT; as the gals were gracious in victory, NOT. We were reminded constantly that we haven't been victorious in quite awhile.
It was a fun time had by all and even Dylan the grandson of Kay and Gerald, kept us entertained with his "perpetual kid" in motion. He is a sweet boy and just loves to visit the country and is all boy. We are looking forward to Samuel and Gabriel at that age in entertaining us as well. Caleb and Kallie kept him under control and entertained most of the evening. Well it was fun and we really ate way too much but it was good.
Just an update on the leg as Nancy and I took off after church for a hike and the leg felt great. I think it feels close to being back to normal. Looking forward to daily hikes these next days and being able to do some physical labor. We hope all of you have super LABOR DAY celebrations with loved ones and friends as we are leaving the cabin for the Dalton Ranch to celebrate with our small group from Cornerstone in another get together with food, games and laughter. Best to all. LATER
After leaving Cornerstone we stopped by Lowes for some last minute goodies for the cookout on Monday as we had everything needed for todays get together with the Dalton's, Huffman's and Joe and Helen. What another feast as Nancy put together a meat loaf, Mechelle made a superb Zucchini casserole as well as a red raspberry cobbler, Kay made a delish mac and cheese and Helen a beautiful but even tastier lemon pie. WOW was everything delicious!!! After clearing off the tables and washing a few dishes we got the board, chips and cards out for some Sequence. What a knock down, drag out game we had with the gals prevailing on the last hand once again. I'm beginning to think this is to much of a feminine game and maybe we should play Stratego, Risk or Battleship, something with a little more gore. Anyhow we were gracious in defeat, NOT; as the gals were gracious in victory, NOT. We were reminded constantly that we haven't been victorious in quite awhile.
It was a fun time had by all and even Dylan the grandson of Kay and Gerald, kept us entertained with his "perpetual kid" in motion. He is a sweet boy and just loves to visit the country and is all boy. We are looking forward to Samuel and Gabriel at that age in entertaining us as well. Caleb and Kallie kept him under control and entertained most of the evening. Well it was fun and we really ate way too much but it was good.
Just an update on the leg as Nancy and I took off after church for a hike and the leg felt great. I think it feels close to being back to normal. Looking forward to daily hikes these next days and being able to do some physical labor. We hope all of you have super LABOR DAY celebrations with loved ones and friends as we are leaving the cabin for the Dalton Ranch to celebrate with our small group from Cornerstone in another get together with food, games and laughter. Best to all. LATER
Sunday, September 5, 2010
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