Tuesday

Well another busy day with lots going on but the weather was fantastic. Middle 70's a nice breeze just a slight coolness out of the sun with the windows open and lots of bright sunshine, Yikes this is the weather we like. The garden loves this weather as well as there was still some moisture in the soil but I hand watered late in the evening while grilling chicken breasts for 11 folks.

Eric drove his dad and mom to our place around 5:30 in their car for supper. He needs lots of help getting in and out of the car, wheelchair and to the bathroom. His demeanor is still rather harsh and not appreciative of all we are doing for him but that's him; hopefully it will change when he gets settled in Michigan with Eric. We had a nice supper with a tray full of jalapeno poppers to start out with which Betsy made. Even Sam loved them which surprised us all. Nancy had baked potato's both russets and sweet, cooked broccoli and squash and Amy made a huge dewicheous(Annsley) Caesars salad plus lots of red vino and crusty bread to go along with the marinated chicken breast which were magnificent in flavor and moistness, Yumm what a meal!!!

We all sat around afterwards having coffee while trying to share a few moments with Pap before he was taken back to the rehab facility for the night. Tomorrow they will take him by wheelchair transport directly to Tampa International for their flight to Detroit. Both Eric and GG will accompany him there until he recoups or whatever. Sam and Ava were so cute as they hugged and told him good-bye and he managed a smile for a second or two.

The morning for me was a busy one after my quiet time and a ride to the rec for pickle ball. I got in 2 plus hours of some good play as Rick my doubles pardner for the tournament Saturday in Lakeland, played together for several sets. We only dropped one set together all morning so hopefully that consistent play will carry over to Saturday's play. After the rec I headed by the library for a couple new reads then home to await the technician for Brighthouse. Well he was late getting here but we worked together for about 3 hours before he had to leave for another 4 PM appointment, so he will return on Wednesday morning to complete the job. We had to run a new cable line around the house to get to the computer room plus all kinds of new outside boxes. It seems when he is finished I will have phone, cable TV and Internet all coming into the house on the same line; its amazing with this new technology what can be done.

Well I get to call Verizon tomorrow and tell them what I think about the service they gave this last month when I have been a loyal customer for over 30 years, anyhow I heard from the gutter man who checked out the youth homes in St.Pete and he gave me an estimate for the 2 houses. Yikes!!!Hopefully we can work out some kind of a deal to have them installed maybe with some volunteer help that may save us some money but guttering isn't cheap; but these are large homes with 5 and 6 bedrooms each, so the roof lines were huge. Hopefully we can get the price down with only guttering certain portions of the houses, anyhow if you know anyone who needs a tax write-off or just wants to donate I could use some bucks for a worthy cause. Feel free to inquire and be a part.

Well that's about it for Tuesday and we learned our mountain friends and house church raised around 600 bucks with a corn hole tournament, auction, etc for a couple families for Christmas in the town of Sparta. Wow that was awesome and to think they may have made a difference in changing their lives forever as the one family is unchurched. I'm thankful Nancy and I have become a part of that group as well that reaches out to those in need and shares a little love. Many thanks to the Dalton Gang who spearheaded this journey with this family who had no mother and saw where the direction of the kids was heading.LATER

Monday

Well the skies were gray and stormy looking as I pedaled out to the rec after my quiet time and lite breakfast this morning. I could feel the rain in the air but it held off until about 11 AM then the skies opened up with gusty wind and rain through out the day and evening. The garden will sure love this as there are blooms everywhere on the tomato's, beans, cucumbers, and peppers. We had a good turn out for pickle ball but I was sluggish and felt like a stuffed turkey most of the morning and even left 1/2 hour early. I did have a good workout but for awhile I thought maybe I had contacted Sam's cold. I think it was the result of a late supper and probably too much supper as well with 2 glasses of vino instead of my usual one. There has been total company since last Thursday so the eating has been rich and I can feel the spare tire around the middle is pumped up, Yuck!!!!

I finally got a hold of Brighthouse to come out on Tuesday to give me new phone service so I will bundle the services of a land line, Internet and cable; that will save me about 25 bucks a month for the first year, anyhow I just want to be able to talk on the phone and receive messages. Verizon never did come or contact me about my lack of service except they sent me a bill, Oh well!!!

Nancy took off to see her dad at the rehab place after lunch and visited until after 4 PM, we had invited Eric and her mom to eat but only Eric came so we had a taco salad along with some fresh asparagus we had purchased at Sam's on Sunday. Amy and her gang came as well and little Sam has not been feeling well so I think she is taking him to the doctor on Tuesday. They all are coming again for grilled chicken along with Pap, Eric, GG and Betsy on Tuesday. Pap and GG fly out on Wednesday back to Michigan with Eric so there has been lots to do to get him(Pap) some medicare help there as well because Humana isn't acknowledged there or is in some different form to Florida's Humana. We feel good he will be with family and GG will get some assistance as well with his constant care. Pap is not getting any stronger and he seems in a funk most of the time but being with a family where there still are young children(10&12 year olds) should help him or at least help him take his mind off his misery.

The temps dropped over night down into the low 60's and Tuesday its supposed to be down into the 50's for a low. The humidity is gone and the rest of the week is supposed to be typical Florida winter weather, yea!!! Just a little business update with Amway as the month draws to an end; the BOGO( buy one get one free) for All Artistry ends on the 30th and if you spent a $120 the shipping is Free, take advantage of this incredible offer as did we, and Amy and Betsy. LATER

Sunday

Well it was another beautiful day with temps around the high 70's and still low or no humidity so we had the windows open once again. We were heading to Tampa for worship at Element around 9AM so after our quiet time and a lite breakfast we headed out.Today at Element we were doing a brunch before the service which had 3 of the staff and elders sharing their heart and we sang some awesome worship songs. We headed out for home after loving up on Annsley and Gabe after ther service. There was a good turn out as well and we saw some old friends we hadn't seen in awhile.

We stopped off at Sam's Club on the way home as we are cooking for GG and Eric their evening meals before they all leave for Michigan on Wednesday with Pap. So we puchased some great center cut pork chops and a few other goodies before heading home around 1:30. Nancy took off to visit with her dad at the rehab and I watched the Bucs play lousy once again as they were leading with just a few minutes to go in the 4th quarter against the Titans. Will I ever be glad when this season ends.

Eric, GG and Betsy came for supper and of course Betsy was an hour late as usual and she brought part of the supper, so we ate late once again. The chops were superb as was the sauted squash over white rice, Yumm!!!! We sat around and discussed what the future held for their folks and mainly about this short term fix to Pap's health care. We are hoping he will get better but his maladies are so severe its very doubtful; at least he will be with family even though it isn't to his liking being in Michigan.

We were all drowsy after the big meal and could barely stay awake by 9:30 so they headed out and I read for awhile before calling it a day. We still don't have a land line and today I'm having Brighhouse come in and hook up a new service. I'm through with verizon as this is the second time this month I've been without a phone for 5 days in a row, thankfully my Tracfone works so we did have contact with family here, LATER

Saturday

Well another pretty day with the a/c off and windows open, yikes was it ever nice with a strong breeze from the East which kept the humidity away. We slept in until 7 AM then did our quiet times before a lite breakfast, I headed out to the rec to catchup a little pickle ball with some of the intermediate players and many of them were away for the weekend. There were 12 or so there and a few of us more advanced players so we intermingled and had some really good play for about 3 hours. I stopped by the library for a new read on the way home.

We were having a huge turkey dinner with all the fixins' again for Nancy's dad(PAP) who is leaving on Wednesday for Michigan with Eric. He will receive 24 hours home health care from them as they are already set up for these situations. What a relief for her mom(GG)as she has really been under a lot of stress(as we all have) these past couple months.

The turkey smelled so good roasting in a separate electric roaster and the gravy made from the drippings was excellent. We had the usual smashed spuds, fresh green beans, dry stuffing, spinach casserole and of course a huge fresh garden(some of my lettuce) salad. There were pumpkin and pecan pies for dessert and a few glasses of red vino as well. Pap was delivered to the house by a wheel chair transport and taken back to the rehab the same way about 3 hours later. He seemed in good spirits despite being told he was leaving Florida and he ate rather well, also. Its really difficult at this age to become an invalid to a certain degree and to have no spiritual hope as well. He will be among his son and his family with many grand children who already do care for assisted living.

After the cleanup which was huge I chilled and watched a little college football. We had 11 adults and Ava and Sam, so it was like old times with a house full and full tummy's. Yikes I'm glad we will have a full week of pickle ball next week as I can feel this spare tire getting bigger. Today(Sunday) is worship day at Element Church in Tampa. It's where we also bring goodies such as casserole, brunch finger foods, etc to share with other church goer's then have a great time of singing and sharing why we are thankful through personal testimonies. Come over or down if you need some "lifting up". LATER

Friday

Well it was a busy beautiful day with no humidity and lots of bright sunshine and blue skies with a steady East breeze. The morning started out being in the 60's and it eventually reached the high 70's, just beautiful!! After my quiet time I poached a couple eggs then headed out to work in the yard and garden until lunch time. I mowed, clipped, edged, fertilized and hand watered. I'm still having trouble with those pesky squirrels as they dig multitudes of small holes in the yards as well as the garden. They are a real pest and I wish there was some way to rid them but they have no natural enemy here so they are everywhere, multiplying as I write. I occasionally get a shot at them with the BB gun which unfortunately only stings them and they run off. They do scatter when I come out of the house as they know the sound of the door opening.

Nancy took off after lunch to visit her dad at the rehab facility and was gone a couple hours. Here's the latest on that situation; Eric is coming in to town on Saturday and will take both of his parents back to Michigan on Wednesday for their long term care. That will ease the burden on GG as she has no experience with long term care plus her house is not set up for it either. Eric and Dianne have been doing long term care for years now with medicare patients so their house is equipped with all the necessities plus GG and Pap will be with family.

We had everyone over for supper last evening as Nancy made a huge pot of spaghetti sauce and a fresh salad. GG made some meat balls as well as some sauce so there was plenty to share. Bobby drove over to eat supper then visited with Pap as well, Arianne and Errol took a plate of spaghetti and a salad to Pap at the rehab for him to enjoy. Betsy and Braden also came to eat as well. Amy had just fixed the same meal a couple days before so she just came for a visit. After leaving the rehab we all sat around the dinner table eating and talking and afterwards just enjoying one anothers company until nearly 11PM. I headed for the showers and was ready to call it a night as Errol and myself were dozing on the couch. The gals were still going strong when I got out of the shower.

Seems we are doing another turkey dinner here tonight with all the fixen's and Pap is being transported here via a wheel chair transport van for a couple hours so he can enjoy all of us before heading to Michigan. He will stay in the rehab until he flys out with Eric on Wednesday, LATER

Thursday-Thanksgiving Day

Finally the weather cooled down enough once again to open the windows. The rain we got on Wednesday brought in the cooler air but took out our phone line. I can remember never being bothered by not having a phone but now it grates on me for some reason, anyhow we were able to make contact with Nancy's mom and the rehab facility and of course our kids as there were big doings in the makings. A big turkey dinner at Bob's with all the trimmings and cousin Arianne coming in from Miami with Errol a boy friend.

The day started with sleeping in until nearly 7 AM, then our quiet times and a bowl of oatmeal with a banana before heading out to check on the gardens. I was letting neighbor Dan use my smoker as he was doing a beer in the rear turkey for their Thanksgiving dinner along with a roast chicken. I got it ready and picked him some fresh herbs and used the wheelbarrow to haul the smoker to his house, afterwards I settled in and did some garden weeding, tying up tomato plants and getting a trellis for my cucumbers to grow up an on. They are just loaded with blooms also I sprayed the foliage with a light coating of half strength Miracle grow which helps set the fruit.

We got ready to pick up GG and drive to the rehab to visit with Pap. Amy and Tyler and the kiddos were already there so we visited with him for a couple hours and stayed while the facility served him and GG a very nice turkey dinner. Wow did that ever look and smelled dewicheous(Annsley). The staff even offered us a meal as well but we were eating big around 5 so we passed but did taste the turkey and it really was very tasty and moist. We did partake of some juice and snacks they set out for the kiddos. We sat out in one of the small eating areas which was very nice and cozy with a large screen T.V. and that looked out on a nice area outside. This rehab facility is a very nice place. We headed out from our visitation around 1:30.

We picked up Amy and her family around 2:30 for the long trip to Riverview. I had forgot that Thanksgiving holiday was always one of our busiest and deadliest times of the year while on Patrol. The traffic was unbelievable both going in the middle of the afternoon and even more so on the way home around 9PM. It was bumper to bumper and we saw several crashes along side the road as well. Anyhow we made it back safely with full tummy's.

Bob's turkey was a masterpiece and his yam's were as good if not better than Pap's recipe. The Kuyatt's brought smashed potato's, candied pecans(yummy, you can not eat just one so I was strong and did not eat one) and apple pies. Amy brought green bean casserole and pumpkin pies and Nancy made dry stuffing,spinach casserole and pecan pies. Needless to say we had more than enough to feed a small army and it was very tasty, definitely one of the best tasting turkey's ever. The kiddos all played hard and were wore out by the time we headed out. We did have one interesting thing occur where Errol walked into the sliding glass door causing his lip to be punctured by his tooth. Seems Bob was showing him his garden and some of the herbs which had their smells on his finger's and he was rushing to share with Arianne and forgot the glass door was closed. The kiddos all were very interested in the bloody lip especially Annsley and Ava. It turned out we talked him out of the ER and he will have a fat lip for a day or so but we informed him "he would be better before he was married". That is our standard for accessing injuries and the projected outcome.

Well Friday will be another day of feasting as we wait for the arrival of Uncle Eric(Nancy's brother) and then the ultimatum for Pap of either going back to Michigan with him or a nursing home. He is situated with all that is needed to give him the care he needs and GG is more than happy to accompany him there, plus she will be around some different grand kids, some of whom she has never seen. She is so relieved that she won't have to be the main care giver as at her advanced age it would probably do her in and every one at the rehab shared that insight with her and us as well.

We truly hope all had a great day of reflection with family and friends around the table. LATER...Here are a few pics of the day, as you can imagine its a little difficult getting everyone together in proper fashion for a picture, especially the adults in the grand baby picture,Ha!!!

Wednesday

Well we had rain again today and when that happens our phone goes blank. I find it difficult to imagine in this day and time a regular land line use is determined by the weather. Verizon is supposed to be one of the industries leaders, anyhow if anyone tries to call we still have our Tracfone and the number is 336-200-1711. We usually don't have it on but since Nancy's dad is in the rehab and her mother is alone we keep it on during the day.

The morning was much the usual with rooster waking us up at 5 AM, then my quiet time, a bowl of oatmeal with a banana before jumping on the bike and riding out to the rec for 2 plus hours of pickle ball. Wow, once again we had another heavy workout with 8-10 players so there were a few 5 minute breaks in between sets, but not many and I was glad for 10 Am when we had to vacate the gym. I dropped off at the library before heading home. There were rain clouds everywhere and sure enough after hand watering the skies opened up(that's when our phone troubles started).

Nancy ran out to the grocery store for some last minutes things for Thanksgiving Day fixins' as we are supposed to go to Bobby's along with Amy and her family. Seems GG and Pap will not be going this year as he is still in the rehab facility. The staff determined he was not able to leave as expected so now Eric (Nancy's brother) is flying in from Michigan and is hoping to take both of them to live with them there. Its either that or a nursing home as we can't provide the care he needs. Eric and Dianne have been providing that type care for medicare patients for years in their home so they are set up for his long term care. He is not happy about it but those are his options. I'm sure he will choose family over the nursing home and that extra expense as well.

Amy and the kiddos came for lunch and Sam has a new pair of tennis shoes and he won't let you take them off without crying, he is so cute and really starting to talk as well. Ava is her usual sweet loving child but really misses her school days and playmates as well. They took off around 2 for Sam's nap and I took one as well after catching up on some e-mails regarding our youth home project. I've lined up some professionals to give me some estimates on some guttering for both houses but now I'm without a phone; but its Thanksgiving so I doubt much will be done before next Monday.

Nancy brought GG here for supper and we had fried fish with black beans and rice, Yumm!!. I could see the relief in her demeanor now that she knew they were going to live with Eric in Michigan and we were making lists of who to call about putting their services on vacation while they were gone. She feels its best to take Pap straight from the rehab to the airport for their flight there so he won't change his mind once he leaves the facility and we all agreed that would be best as he can be rather dificult at times.

Well not much else is going on as we are all rethinking about the holidays and not having them with us will be a big change; but its whats best for them as he needs constant care and GG just can not provide that at her age. Did I mention she has already lost 20 pounds from all the stress of going to the rehab everyday, she has been faithful even when he has been less than tolerant.

Here are a few pics from the other day..LATER

Tuesday

There was some rain during the night so everything had a good drink but with the sandy soil here in Florida it drains very quickly so by the afternoon I needed to hand water especially the leafy green plants like broccoli, kale, collards and cabbage as they wilt from the hot sun. Sam's buddy was up early this morning a little after 5 AM announcing it was time to get up; I don't know why he is so confused as it was pitch black outside.

The day started after his "fowl ruckus" as I got up and did my quiet time, then a bowl of oatmeal with fruit before heading out to the rec for 2 1/2 hours of continuous pickle ball play. We had 4 players for the first hour and we had some super play and finally a fifth showed up so we could have at least a small break at times, but we only had 6 total players for the day so it was quite a workout day. Afterwards I headed by the library before heading home.

Nancy is having all kinds of problems with her mom and dad about his health and how to care for him. He is supposed to be released(at his insistence we found out) on Wednesday but he is in no shape to be at home without some type of medical help as her mom will be overwhelmed with this responsibility and its a detriment to her health which is fairly good for 83. Nancy took her shopping and then by the house for lunch and she has lost 20 pounds due to the stress and he is not even home; I can imagine what his being home will do to her and her back as she will have to assist him in getting up from a sitting and laying positions. We are certainly hoping he will be re-evaluated tomorrow before the rehab releases him to go home. His attitude is intolerable to make matters worse, oh well!!!

Nancy was gone most of the day driving her mom around and trying to get the house ready for his arrival as I spent the afternoon on the phone lining up folks to give me estimates for guttering at the youth homes project I have become interested in helping with. Tammy the director has 2 grand children nearly the same age as Ava and Sam so we shared a little about our lives and how she got started with the homes as well. Our house church is very interested in being there for her and this project and will gladly accept any help or support shared our way. The project has non-profit status and any contributions are tax deductible. E-mail me if your serious about making any contributions and I will give you the info needed.

We had some hamburger steaks from a steer named "supper" and they were super(what a play on words); thanks once again to the Dalton's for sharing some of their grass fed steer meat and along with a fresh garden salad it was superb. After the cleanup I vegetated on the couch to FOX NEWS and then got interested in the Lightning hockey game which was a disaster as I turned it off after they were down 4-1 in the second period.

Nancy was gone again to pick up her mom at the rehab and once again was subjected to her father's rants as they voice their concern for both mom's and his health concerns. He is just unreal thinking once he get home everything will be just fine as he can barely function at the rehab with 24 hour care. He also thinks he will be driving again once he gets home as he can't even get in the car to ride; let alone drive. Wow we never thought being around someone in this condition is so trying, GOD help us!!! LATER

Monday

Well not much happened today except the usual fowl wake up, my quiet times before a bowl of oatmeal then a ride out to the rec for a couple hours of pickle ball. I did afterwards head into the game room and played a couple sets of ping pong and won both before relinquishing my paddle to another fresher player. I stopped off at the library before heading home to work in the garden. Bobby had a couple bales of hay left at the church from a Halloween get together they had for the kids so I brought them home and mulched them in and around my plants.

Amy and the kids came for lunch so I finished the left over chili then took the kids out into the back yard to play. It was rather warm and sticky so Ava headed in but Sam and I stayed out and I found him a grub so he played with that and then the rooster, they are so cute together. Its like they are pals now and I seem to have lessen my thoughts about wanting to roast or smoke him. He is a pretty thing; checkered black and white and right good size.

Nancy took off to pick up her mom and head to the medical supply store and then to rehab for the afternoon as we get ready in our minds to have her dad back at their residence starting Wednesday afternoon. He is by no means capable of being there with just the two of them and he refuses to go into an assisted living, but we will do what we can. I'm amazed he has survived all that he has been through the past several months, but he is determined to come home and he even thinks he will drive again, Oh well!!!

We ate the left over pork roast with some white rice and gravy for supper and I sauteed some fresh collards with fresh garlic in olive oil, wow was that ever tasty; not nearly as good as Swiss chard but good. My chard is coming on and by next week we should be eating that as well. The radish seeds I planted on Saturday are poking through the ground despite the squirrels digging in the row. I'm really curious to see if we get any radishes this time because of the sowing by the moon signs. I have done it before but wasn't completely convinced but if it works this time I will be a believer.

Nancy and Amy took off after supper to the mall for Christmas presents for the grand babies as several of the stores had coupons in the paper, she was gone until nearly 10 PM. I had a nice long chat with Shirley Heglar who is one of our mountain neighbors, her grand daughter Josie is having some unknown problems with the roof of her mouth so she will have that operated on over the holidays. We talked for nearly an hour. They haven't been back up since we left in October as well as they live down off the mountain.

Well it still hot and sticky here but the garden loves this weather as the 1/2 runner beans are really starting to climb and just loaded with blooms. We should have plenty of beans for Christmas Day dinner and the tomato's are loaded with lots of blooms as well and a few small green ones as well. The peppers are setting fruit and the cabbages are starting ball up in the middle along with tons of cuke blooms.

Gals and guys don't let this Artistry Products special pass you up because the savings are really real. This only happens once or so a year and it comes from our team leaders only. Give us a look at our store at Amway.com/JNTriplett I've decided to use any profits to assist with a youth house that is for runaway and abused girls. We can always use your help as well. LATER

Sunday

Well what a busy day filled with honoring GOD by worshipping at church, honoring and giving back to the community by donating a pint(unit) of blood at church and entertaining and caring for my grand children(Bobby and Jill's). The morning started out with the usual " fowl melody" around 6:30 but we were already awake and ready to start the day. We did our quiet times then got ready for church after a lite breakfast, except for me as I would be giving blood later in the morning and wanted something a little more than oatmeal. I microwaved(poached)a couple eggs along with some instant grits with a little hot sauce and that carried through the morning until after church.

Bobby had a great message today on walking "WITH" GOD in our daily lives and the music was awesome as well. We had a super crowd of folks and once again lots of new faces. After the service we headed back to Pinellas County and had lunch at Panera Bread before heading home to watch a little NFL football. The BUCS played decent against the Packers as they are the only undefeated team left in the league and last years Super Bowl winners. The grand babies Annsley and Gabe came a little before 3 PM so we had some alone time with them before Ava and Sam came around 4:30. Bobby was doing a wedding down on St.Pete Beach and Jill was at a baby shower for our Amway team leaders as they are expecting their second little girl.

Nancy put a pork roast in the oven loaded with rosemary and other seasoning and did that ever lend a superb smell to the house for the rest of the afternoon until we carved it around 5:30. The smashed potato's and gravy were awesome as well along with carrots and baby green Lima's(Gabe loved the Lima's). Tyler and Amy came to eat with us as well.The kids had a grand time playing together and Sam and Gabe interacted much more together. Gabe loves to hug and give love and he was so sweet with Ava and Sam. Sam is a lover boy as well as it Ava. Annsley is a loner when it comes to affection and doesn't readily demonstrate it. But they all played together and of course wore us out. After their baths together(boys with boys and girls with girls) we got them ready in their night clothes. Bob left with his kids around 8:30 or so and Amy left shortly thereafter with her kids. It was like wow are we getting old or did we just all of a sudden relax when the house got quiet. It was a fun time and the eatin' was good.

I read and watched a little football until the sandman came along about 10:15 so I cut the lights out 'cause the party's was over. Nancy had made coffee so she was wired talking with her sister about her folks. GG is going back on purchasing all the equipment that her dad will need to barely function when he comes home on Wednesday. Both of them think they will be back to normal whereas they can't function at the rehab now, where there is all kinds of help.Please keep all of us in your thoughts and prayers as this is going to be a trying time. I'm really beginning to think senility has set in on both of her folks as well as the severe health maladies, oh well!!

This New Beginnings Youth Homes(NBYH)for wayward runaway girls has really sparked an intrigue in my heart for this group. I'm contacting some Amway folks in hope we can get some corporate sponsorship for NBYH as Amway is very big in charitable giving as well. Anyhow it should be fun and exciting to see what will take place in the near future for this worthy cause of helping to change lives for these girls and maybe give them some hope after being on the fringes of society and many times the reason is to escape abuse situations. Keep this situation in your thoughts and prayers as well and if you have any ideas or experiences share them, LATER

Saturday

Well the humidity was on the rise again with temp's in the 80's so the a/c is back on again, I know that sounds weird when just 700 miles away the temps are below freezing. We actually stayed in bed until 7:30 as we tuned the rooster out we named Sam's Buddy. He is a loud one and yesterday we saw over where Sam usually hangs out he was crowing for him as he must of missed Sam playing with, so cute.

I ate a breakfast of eggs and grits then took off for the rec for some pickle ball after my quiet time. Saturdays is for beginners and intermediates players so my neighbor and buddy Dan was supposed to attend and I was going to give him some pointers but he stayed home and cleaned the refrigerator, yikes what was that??? Anyhow I played for about an hour and helped out with some instruction and mainly just kept the ball in play which really helped them as well, they were most appreciative. I did a little elliptical and treadmill workout, enough to work up a sweat before heading home.

Nancy was spending the day with her mom and sister as they shopped for a lift chair, a shower seat and a potty chair for their dad when he comes home on Wednesday the day before Thanksgiving. We remembered a friend of ours from SFBC who does medical oxygen and he called some of his friends who are getting those items for us at cost, wow what a savings as medicare doesn't cover all of the expense. Thank you Rene.

I spoke with my dad and he sounded good as he and his lady friend are just tooling around the countryside, she sent me a recent picture of them along with their pastor and they both looked great. What a difference with his health( a triple by-pass at the age of 83) as he is very active when compared to Nancy's dad who has been very sedentary for the last 30 years.

I spent the afternoon doing a little garden work. I pulled out my beautiful radish plants and there were no radishes on the plants because I tried it once again to plant in wrong cycle of the moon. Plants that produce fruit(radishes)underground must be planted in the waning of the moon but I planted in the waxing of the moon and got no radishes but did get big beautiful lush plants. I planted gain yesterday in the correct phase of the moon in the same spot and we will see if it's correct.

Well we headed out around 5:30 for Dan and Carol's for a supper of taco salad, nothing fancy was oh so good and not real heavy except for the cheese and sour cream, afterwards we played 12 rounds of domino's and Carol obliterated us by a couple hundred points. We were back home by 9:30 and everyone was yawning, luckily we are just 3 houses down the street. Tomorrow (actually) today is corporate worship at Element Church in Tampa with son Bobby and we will get to see our grand babies there as well. They are coming for supper at our house tonight as Bobby is doing an evening wedding down by the Skyway Bridge in lower Pinellas County. We will have Annsley and Gabe so Amy and Tyler will bring Ava and Sam over for them to play with and have a pork roast supper. LATER

Friday

Well the day was a much nicer temperate day with less humidity, bright sunshine and a strong eastern breeze. I was up once again before the rooster next door began his morning "wake up the 'hood racket". I did my quiet moments then a bowl of oatmeal with a banana before riding out to the rec for a couple plus hours of pickle ball. Wow did we ever have some great play with some unbelievable long rallies, and by 10 AM I was ready for a break. I stopped off at the library before riding home and working in the garden.

I picked my first mess of collards and put them on to cook around 2 PM with a spoon of ham base in the pot, wow were they ever good and so tender, yikes. I want to try sauteing them in olive oil with fresh garlic as they are so young and tender. We ate them along sweet potato's and a grilled deer tenderloin. What a great supper however I think I like the deer loin better chicken fried, anyhow once again we give our greatest thanks to Andy Dalton for his harvesting and processing the meat. He has it down to where you would never know your eating venison, its that good.

Nancy spent the better part of the day working with her dad and the rehab folks as they are releasing her dad next week from rehab. They wanted to see if he can make it at their home with just him and GG and he didn't do a very good job. They are recommending he either go into an assisted living facility(which he refuses to do) or get some in home professional daily health care. His other option is to go and live with his son Eric in Michigan as they take in elderly folks and render 24-7 care; but he refuses to do that as well. He is having some confusion issues as well as to his where abouts, anyhow the rehab folks have said he no longer is able to be rehabilitated so he must go from the facility; thanks Humana Healthcare, Oh well!!

Did I mention I was able to assist a youth home administrator with just a couple phone calls regarding fixing her washer and dryer and no money changed hands; now I need a person who installs gutters on houses to assist with this next project and then some cash to help with mechanically fixing up a van that was donated to the home. I have the mechanic but now just need to buy the parts at cost. Its a lot of fun making things happen for people who are in need and the rewards are endless, LATER

Thursday

Today was an exciting day filled with the joy and love that only comes with being a grand parent and a day which we saw people who are filled with the spirit of love for others manifested in doing a deed of kindness. I will explain both as I digress; but first the usual and mundane as the day started with me up before the "fowl piece" next door started his crowing and then my quiet time and the bowl of oatmeal with a banana before pedaling out to the rec for some 2 plus hours of pickle ball. Wow did we ever have a workout with some great games and lots of wet shirts.

It rained while I was at the rec so I didn't have to water the garden when I got home from a quick stop at the library after pickle ball. Ava attends the Oakhurst Methodist Church School and today the kids were having their Thanksgiving program and lunch. Ava was a little Indian girl and she was just darling as well as was the other little ones dressed as turkeys and pilgrims. They did several songs and some pantomimes regarding the season and did they ever bless your heart. Afterwards we were all invited to a buffet lunch of roast turkey, stuffing, mashed potato's, gravy,green beans, corn, cranberry sauce, rolls and an assortment of desserts, wow was that ever dewicheous(Annsley). We were talking and remembered this is the church where I dear friends Roy and Helen Gray attended for years here in Seminole. Today was the first time we had ever been there and the school staff and teachers were very nice and did a tremendous job with these youngsters.

After the luncheon Tyler dropped me off with the kids to stay at our place while he worked from home and Amy and Nancy helped with the cleanup at church. The kids and I played in the back yard as the rain cleared some of the humidity out and there was a nice breeze. Sam is just so funny with the rooster next door and today I caught him petting the roosters head through the fence. He is always over by the chain link fence poking stuff through to the rooster but today I heard him giggling and that bird was letting him touch his head. I thought sure the bird would peck him but no; it just stood there as Sam played with him. So funny and I now have a little more love for the bird as well as he was very tolerant of Sam's touchings.

Remember I mention about the lady who came to our house church with some needs on Wednesday night, as she was starting a youth home for runaway girls. Well one of the needs was to have a washer and dryer fixed at one of the houses; well I called my buddy who I have know for years(actually I had stopped him for some infraction when he was a teenager and gave him a break and remembered that incident) and he now has his own small business of fixing major appliances, well he headed down to take a look at the problems and was supposed to call me regarding an estimate of the cost to repair or replace the two. Well he solved both problems and took away some old and damaged appliances that were cluttering her garage and no money changed hands, just some old fashion bartering for a worthy cause, Thank You Jerry's Appliances of Seminole.

We did a quick supper of kielbasa boiled in beer and onions along with salad for supper as we had a full compliment of food for lunch. After the cleanup Nancy took off for the rehab to visit her dad and bring her mom home. I read in between watching FOX NEWS and the Lightning hockey team put a whupping on Pittsburgh, LATER
Here are some pictures from today's luncheon program and an old photo Nancy found that she put on Face book on Veterans Day of me when I was home on leave around 1968-69 from the Air Force. Enjoy!!!

Wednesday

It was another hot and humid day with the a/c running and of course the windows closed, I love the windows open with the fresh air, oh well. I woke up around 6AM and even before the rooster next door started his serenade, he's slipping a little here lately for some reason. The day started with my cup of hot green tea then my quiet moments of thanksgiving and reflection then a bowl of oatmeal and fruit before heading out to the rec for some couple hours of pickle ball. Did mention I'm traveling with another pickle ball player to the Lakeland, Fl. area for a tournament the 4th of December. Rick and I will play together in the mens double event; wish us luck as it will be the first tournament play away from our gym and this event is being played outside. I play outside in the mountains so there is a little difference to the inside gyms constant conditions.

We had a good showing today with 3 courts going and a few waiting, our new players showed up again and added to the quality of play with our regulars. We now have most of the general players, except for a couple gals coming at 10AM, 3 days a week so that keeps our level of play up there. After the workout I headed by the library before heading home. Amy and the kiddos were coming for lunch so I did a little garden work until lunch time. Nancy took her mom to the doctor for a checkup then out to breakfast before visiting with her dad at the rehab.

Well her dad was told by the rehab that Humana was making them leave the facility the day before Thanksgiving even though he really is not able to care for himself. Seems they deem him as no longer suitable for rehab so now he must come home and it will be our responsibility to care for him as they can't afford a nursing facility. This will open up a new facet of our lives as it seems we will have to assist her mom in this new era. He can barely stand and only with assistance and is still have some issues with his bowels, oh well!!!

The kiddos and I played outside for a hour or so after lunch; collecting flower heads, bugs, chasing the rooster along the fence and riding the trike, wow I was bushed after all this and ready for their naps and mine; we had a grand time together. We were having house church tonight at our house with a meal so I had to vacuumed, etc before everyone got there. Nancy made a big pot of chili as well as did Carol and others brought goodies including a fresh salad, rolls and chips. The food was very tasty and plentiful.

A young grandmother visited with us who was one of our free oil change for singles and she shared that she was starting a group home for wayward girls ages 12 and up. she herself had run away at an early age and did all the things an incorrigible child did at that age. Well along with maturing and becoming involved with other girls who were abused in many different ways has decided to start a home for these girls, actually she has 2 houses side by side in St.Pete and now has house parents for each house. Tammy(that's her name)credits Jesus for making the turn around in her life and now is reaching out to those type girls and hopefully will be someone who gives them all kinds of support. We(our house church)are going to assist her and some of the issues they are facing as well to help her get this project, ministry or needs taken care of for these girls. Believe me she has the expertise in this area as she shared with us what happened to her.

Well we had a full house and 5 very active kids. After the cleanup and a shower I was ready for some horizontal lab(sleep). I turned the lights off a little after 10 PM. LATER

Tuesday

The humidity has returned so on went the a/c as the heat isn't too bad, in the middle 80's but the dampness in the air makes it so sticky. Anyhow not much new this day except for the usual routine. A fowl wake up around 6 AM( of course I was already up and shaved) I think he sees our lights on an starts his crowing. After my quiet moments and a bowl of oatmeal with fruit I headed out to the rec for a couple hours of pickle ball. We had 6 players to start with early and ended up with 12 for the day. There were some super points with long rallies and the result was lots of wet shirts, a good workout day.

I headed home after a quick library stop and picked up a new read by Kira Salak, titled THE CRUELEST JOURNEY. The author is the same gal who crossed Papal New Guinea and this time she is in a kayak in western Africa on her way to Timbuktu. What a traveler she is and tough as nails. After a little garden work and lunch I vegetated traveling with her on the Niger River as she made her way into the northern part of Africa south of the Sahara Desert. She was trying to follow a Scottish traveller, Mungo Park who did this trip in the 1800's and was eventually never heard from again on his second trip into the area on the river.

I grilled some chicken breasts and we had baked sweet potato's and left over squash casserole for supper, good eatin' all around. Nancy's sister Betsy came by for a visit and we had just received our Artistry order from Amway which I distributed to her as well. I ordered it on the 9th and we got it within 6 days, not bad for an on-line order and the shipping was free. If you haven't ordered yet these buy 1,get 1 Free Artistry cosmetic products, are ending soon at the end of the month as the special goes away then. This special comes from our team leaders ONLY.

Well not much else is happening, LATER

Monday

Well the temps got a little warmer today with middle 80's and a small increase in the humidity; the a/c will probably be back on again if it continues to rise, but overall it was a very nice day. The morning was much the usual with the fowl wake up around 6 AM then my few quiet moments before a bowl of oatmeal with a banana. I rode out to the rec for some 2 1/2 hours of pickle ball before stopping off at the library on my way home. After a great workout I pedalled home to work out in the gardens.

We should have collards ready to eat any day and by the end of the week I will be able to pick some fresh lettuce to augment our store bought lettuce. I picked some beet greens and basil for tonight's salad we took to Amy's for supper.I have a few more small green tomato's setting and the 1/2 runner beans are climbing as well as the cuke's are heavy with blooms.

Nancy took off to drive her mom to the rehab and Amy and the kiddos came for lunch. Sam and Ava played outside with me for a couple hours after lunch. We of course played with the "alarm clock" rooster through the fence as Sam is just fascinated with the critter. Ava is still into bugs and picking flower heads. I got their trike out and they both were so much fun together as Ava pedalled while Sam sat on the back as we travelled up the sidewalk. Then I put Sam on the seat while Ava sat on the back and let the trike roll down the driveway while I caught them at the bottom. He still can't reach the pedals or steer but he is trying. They plumb wore me out and the sun was really getting warm out from under the shade trees.

After they left for their naps Nancy and I did a shopping trip to Aldi's store for some comparison shopping. They really have great prices and about 1/2 the cost of Publix. We found some really great savings items and we could tell no difference except for the packaging and brand names. Many years ago when I first moved to Florida while waiting to get on the Patrol I worked at an orange juice plant where the whole oranges where trucked in and processed into juice for different companies; well its all the same process with just different labels. Anyhow I'm sure it still works the same for pinto beans in a can that are nearly have the price as well as smoked hams. Yikes, what we pay for brand names.

We came back and I read until it was time to head over to Amy's as she was having us for supper and her famous chicken casserole, Yumm was that ever good along with her croissant rolls and Nancy's fresh garden salad. Tyler and I cleaned up and played with the kids as the Amy and Nancy did a mall run for Christmas clothes for the kids pictures. I headed home and read while trying to get interested in Monday Night Football; that was another blowout by the Packers and it looks as if they will repeat this year again in the Super Bowl.

I'm beginning to wonder about our leaders of America when we constantly apologize and denigrate our way of life; not only with our political leaders and wanna-be leaders but with our institutions of higher learning and their morals, Yikes I fear some radical changes are coming and its no longer has GOD, country, mom and apple pie as what once were icons of stability. This last leader ran on "change" and I'm not too sure his change is whats good for America. LATER

Sunday

Once again another beautiful morning with cool temps into the low 50's and a high of low 80's and no humidity. It so reminded us of the mornings we have at the cabin in N.C. We slept in until 6:30 then did our quiet times before getting ready to head over to Tampa for worship at Element Church with son Bobby. The service and music was awesome and we got to see and hold our grand babies Annsley and Gabe as well. After church we stopped off at Subway for a quick lite lunch before heading back to our county; we rode with Dan and Carole as we are now carpooling on most Sundays.

After getting back home I did some hand watering of the gardens before vegetating in front of the tube and NFL football. Luckily the Bucs were blacked out here in the Tampa area because of low attendance so we got to watch a really good game between the Bengals and Steelers. That game went right down to the last series of plays whereas the Bucs were blown out by the Texans. It doesn't look good for my favorite 2teams(Panthers and Bucs) but my third choice is the 49'ers and they look good after beating the Giants. When I lived in California I attended a couple games at the old Kezar stadium downtown 'Frisco and rooted for then what was a team much like the Bucs are now; hot one day and horrible the next, anyhow it was a great experience.

We chilled the afternoon away catching up with some mountain friends; Eddie and Kimberly and our mountain mom, Helen. All seem to be well and the cold and wind have returned to the high country. All the leaves are gone from the trees and that dark barren ,cold, winter look is evident once again there. I grew up in Northern Virginia and don't miss miss this time of the year except for the occasional white snowfalls. Anyhow this could be another cold winter for them as it very early to be having below freezing temps.

Well we ate left over pasta fasioule soup for supper and my was that ever tasty. After the cleanup Nancy took off for the rehab to visit her dad and give her mom a ride home; I got into another late game and found it less than I expected so I read and we cut the lights off around 10 PM, LATER

Just an up date for you gals about a great bargain on some quality products offered by ARTISTRY. All of those products which are body and skin care, makeup, etc are buy 1,get 1 FREE for the month of November only and this offer comes from our team leaders only and not from Amway. Check it out at our website www.Amway.com/JNTriplett and browse. If your interested send me an e-mail or a note to this blog and I will sweeten the pot even more with some special customer pricing. What you find on the website is retail pricing. These products would make great gifts for the upcoming holidays.

Saturday

Well it turned out to be a beautiful day although the morning temps were down right nippy; but beautiful sunshine that quickly warmed up to the middle 70's. I once again slept in until around 7 AM before the rooster crowed me out of the sack, I don't think he likes the cold temps. We did our usual bowl of oatmeal after our quiet times before I headed out to the rec for a couple hours of pickle ball. Since the rec was closed on Friday due to Veterans Day I joined the beginners and less experienced players along with a couple others as the group had the gym all morning for pickle ball. I was one of the last to leave around 10:30. We had some good play and those just learning were appreciative of our willingness to not only play with them but to actually give them some pointers.

I headed for home as Nancy and Amy had gone to the mall for Christmas clothes for Ava and Sam for their pictures made for the holidays. I mowed, edged and fertilized the yards and just spend the rest of the morning and early afternoon outside. It was a great time to be outside. After Nancy got home she had brought her mom(GG) with her to have lunch here then I drove her to the rehab and stopped off at Lowes for some tomato spikes and a new dill plant.

We were having Dan and Carol for supper so Nancy had boiled the spare ribs first before I put them on the grill loaded down with Sonny's barbecue sauce. Boiling them for awhile really helps take away all the fat and grease as well as tenderizes; boy were they ever good and the meat just falls off the bone. Nancy made oven taters which she sliced the spuds into quarters or smaller, rolled them in olive oil then I picked fresh parsley and rosemary from the garden and she minced them and sprinkled and rolled that on the quarters and then baked them at 400 degrees until they just started to turn brown, yikes are they ever good. She also made her tasty fresh yellow squash casserole. Carole brought a yummy spinach dip and sliced cukes and onions in a cream sauce. Well needless to say we were stuffed, my oh my!!!

Well managed to get in a game of Phase 10 and Dan once again trounced us and Carole won a game of Golf after 7 rounds. We were barely staying awake and everyone was complaining of over eating but me; but I was getting bored at the games especially since I had a good ball game on in the background. They headed out around 9:30 and it wasn't long after I was ready for some horizontal lab, LATER

Friday-VETERANS DAY

Well it was rather chilly here this morning at 48 degrees which needless to say is a Winter Day. We slept in as the rooster must have been to cold to crow which was rather nice until the sun warmed things up then he commenced to cock-a-doodle-do. After our quiet times we had a bowl of oatmeal and played around on the Internet. The rec was closed for Veterans Day so we just chilled.

Nancy found an old USAF picture I had taken when I was back in Virginia on leave around 1968-69 at my grandmother house in Mountain Falls. She took a picture of the picture and put it on Face Book so we got some feed back with that. I mentioned to here I enlisted in the USAF on Mar,3,1966 when I was 19 and she(Nancy)celebrated her 9th birthday on that day as well. I was living in Gastonia, N.C. and flew out of the Charlotte airport for Texas that day and that was my first ever time to fly on an airplane. I went on to become an air crew member in the 44th Military Airlift Squadron based in California and our squadron was the first to ever fly jet cargo planes. The C-141A Starlifter jet aircraft was the work horse for the Viet Nam war. I was a loadmaster and in charge of the weigh and balance among many other duties at the ripe age of 19, yeow were we entrusted with some awesome responsibility. I made lots of friends who lives depended on each other doing their job; what an experience.

I was scheduled or given orders to leave California in 1968 and move to Taiwan where I would be a loadmaster on the C-130 aircraft and fly sorties into Viet Nam. I received a back injury that required surgery; a herniated disc to the L5(lower back)which took precedent over the orders to Taiwan; so I never went as it took me several months to recuperate and once again be reinstated to flying status. The airman who took my orders was lost along with the whole aircraft and crew on a mountain in Viet Nam shortly after going there. I found his name on the Viet Nam Memorial Wall when we took a day trip to D.C. when my children were little many years ago.I keep in touch with a few of my old buddies I flew with via the Internet and Face Book, from the 44th MAS; Newt Smelcher, Jerry Illies, Bruce Fallon, Mike Stirk and Wally Beisser and other than getting older these guys have maintained throughout; however I've learned several of the guys I flew with have major health issues due to the cargo we carried at times, and one being Agent Orange which was used to defoliate the jungles in Viet Nam.

Well the rest of the day we chilled , actually we wanted to stay out of the wind as the air was nippy . I don't believe the temps got much out of the 60's and the stiff breeze made it feel even chillier.Sam and Amy came for lunch and Nancy made that great Penna pasta dish with sauteed asparagus, garlic and artichoke hearts with capers, Yikes is that ever a great quick meal.Sam and I played outside until it was time for his and mine naps.

Nancy was busy in the kitchen after Amy left with the kiddos; boiling off a large smoked ham which she made ham salad from and then making a large pot of pasta fagioli soup(not sure about the spelling) which we ate for supper on this chilly evening. After the cleanup Nancy took off to the rehab to drive her mother home and visit with her dad. I chilled and read and watched Gold Rush. I want to do that again. I took a week end while in California and headed up to Calistoga National Forest and sluiced for gold one week end and we had a lot of fun and found several pill bottles of gold dust. Then gold was 4o bucks an ounce today we would have been rolling in the clover at 1500 bucks an ounce. I often wonder if that fellow(I've forgotten his name but he worked in the mess hall at Travis) still works that are for gold. he knew what he was doing and it was a lot of work but fun as well. I still have a small nugget I found working that site.

Well better go and if this font is so small you can't read it I'm not sure what I did as I updated Java and now this has occurred, LATER

Thursday

Well once again another beautiful day in sunny warm Florida with temps in the low 80's, no humidity and bright sunshine. The rooster was late this morning as I was up and writing my post for my blog and once again I had delusions of him being eaten by some possum or coon; they do occasionally come by and into this neighbor, but then I heard him. Maybe this time change has effected him as well. After my quiet time, my post and then a bowl of oatmeal with fruit I pedalled out to the rec for some 2 plus hours of pickle ball. We had a good crew and the play was fast and furious. I headed into the weight room where Nancy was working out on the treadmill and did about 5 minutes of the elliptical with her until she was finished. The pickle ball workout has kept me at a decent weight only about 2 pounds up from my last doctor's weight in ; but nearly 10 pounds down from a year ago. I love it and I feel great. I have to give some credit to the Nutrilite products I'm using.

After pickle ball I stopped off at the library for a couple reads then headed home to hand water the garden. The lettuce is really starting to grow and by next week we should be eating some of that as well as the radishes and collards. I have lots of blooms on the tomato's and a few set so far; of course the herbs are just doing great as I use fresh sweet basil, rosemary and oregano almost daily as well as the parsley and cilantro. The 1/2 runner beans are starting climb on some poles and the cucumbers are blooming as well. The sugar peas are about a foot tall and will soon be climbing up the chain link fence. I love the fall and winter garden in Florida and that helps to ease the pain of being away from our mountain gardens and flowers beds.

After a lunch with just the two us Nancy took off to drive her mom to the rehab facility to be with her dad. He is progressing very slowly but is still having issues related to his bowels. He does PT daily but still can not stand alone or walk with out assistance; at least his attitude seems some what improved, so that helps with those who see and assist him on a daily basis.

We took off for Riverview around 3 o'clock and the traffic in Tampa was bumper to bumper; you sure can tell all the snowbirds are back into Florida. It took us nearly an hour to go 50 miles on the interstate. We stopped off at Sam's Club near Bobby's house as they just built a new one about a mile south of him to do our weekly shopping. We had an hour to kill before we were needed at his house to watch the kids as it turned out we weren't needed at all as Bob got home before Jill left for her meeting. We grilled marinated chicken breasts and Bob made a superb stir fry over white rice and we had brought a fresh salad so supper was dewisheous(Annsley).

We had a grand time playing with Annsley and Gabe. Gabe is now saying "football" as well as chasing and throwing the ball. He has the sweetest disposition and always with a smile when you recognize him. He is also quite the eater and is not picky at all. Annsley is cute as a button but more of a loner as she puts together puzzles, I mean difficult ones and likes to play more dress up and be very imaginative. We stayed until after their bath time and they are so cute together and Bobby sure has them trained when it comes to their nightly routines.We headed out around 8 PM and could tell the weather was starting to change. A cold front was approaching Florida with gusty winds, some rain and much cooler temps, LATER

Wednesday

Well it was another gorgeous day here in sunny warm Florida. The morning was much the usual with a late "fowl wake up" for some reason the rooster didn't crow until after 6 AM; was I ever hoping some critter ate him overnight or maybe he flew off to where rooster's go if they make it beyond the frying pan, Oh well!!! It was the bowl of oatmeal with blueberries and a banana after my quiet time and then the ride out on the bike to the rec for over 2 hours of some really good pickle ball play. We had another new player today for the first time and he's a very good player. Should be some interesting play this winter with all these new players and now most of our regulars are back as well even though several are now limiting their play due to old age and old injuries; so far I'm still able to play everyday.

After the rec I did some garden work until lunch time and then did a little business paperwork before settling in to read the afternoon away. I finished the book FOUR CORNERS by Kira Salak. Its a good read and if you like adventure you will love this read. Nancy had taken her mom to the rehab earlier in the morning so we got ready for our house church meeting at our house at 7 PM. I vacuumed and she baked cookies then we had a lite supper of soup and salad.

We had 12 folks including 3 kids for our house church meeting and we decided or discussed what projects we would do for the holidays which are fast approaching. We decided to help out a couple families less fortunate as well as do a Christmas get together of some kind; of course food is involved. Next week we are doing different kinds of chili and talking about making small Christmas wreaths to give away in our hood.

Well Thursday afternoon we are heading over to son's Bobby's house to watch Annsley and Gabe as he and Jill both have engagements so we will fix supper and play with them. We wish they were closer as it a 100 miles round trip and the traffic is horrendous but we do get to see them at church on Sunday's. This will be an added bonus,although I'm not crazy about the drive an especially at night coming home. Oh well!!

Just an a reminder to all you gals who want a super bargain on your beauty stuff, its buy 1 get 1 free this month from our shop at Amway on ALL ARTISTRY PRODUCTS, check us out at www.Amway.com/JNTriplett, LATER

Tuesday

Once again another beautiful day here in the central west coast of Florida. Warm temps into the low 80's and down to the high 50's at night, bright blue skies with a gentle northern breeze and low humidity, so we have the a/c off for another day with the windows open. We missed seeing our daughter Amy and grand babies Ava and Sam as she did a park day with some of Ava's school mates, sure is quiet around here without them.

I did the usual morning routine with a "fowl wake up" around 6 AM and then my quiet time before eating my bowl of oatmeal then pedalling out to the rec for a couple hours of pickle ball. We had a smaller crowd today with just 8 players but a new fellow showed up and is quite a nice player, Dennis is an old tennis player which really helps with this sport. We played hard right up to 10AM then I headed out for the library to pick up a new read. I'm reading a true adventure story about a young woman who crosses Papal New Guinea. I will update all when I'm finished but she puts her well being in jeopardy several times and all for the adventure of seeing some pristine country, its culture and people. She really tells an interesting story.

I worked in the garden until lunch time; cold meatloaf sandwiches with mayo, onion,tomato,lettuce and and some fresh basil, what a dewicheous(Annsley) meal. After lunch I chilled and read while Nancy drove her mom to the rehab. I did a little hand watering just before supper was time to start our supper which was very good and so easy to make. Nancy sauteed fresh garlic in olive oil along with fresh asparagus, artichoke hearts, onion and caper's and then put that over Penna pasta, wow is that ever a dewicheous dish, be sure and use plenty of caper's they really add to the flavor.

Well that's about it for the day except we chilled after the supper cleanup; I read after Fox News and she flipped channels, LATER

Monday

Once again another beautiful day with warm temps and low humidity. A gentle breeze kept it nice for outside work and play. The morning was much the usual with an early morning "fowl" wake up, my quiet times, a bowl of oatmeal with a banana and blue berries before riding out to the rec on the bike for a couple hours of pickle ball. We had a full house with several returning "snowbirds" which made for 3 full courts at once and several waiting to get in. If you win on the court you stay in an play and pair up with a new pardner each game so with good play and a good pardner its likely you will stay on the courts most of the morning. Afterwards I stopped by the ping room and got a couple games in with those who play every Monday. I headed home to hand water the gardens.

Amy and the kiddos came for lunch and we had deli ham and cheese sandwiches. Nancy was still at the rehab and joined us later. Sam and I headed outside to play and work in the back yard. He found a fishing worm and played with that until it was "broke". He loves to run up and back along the side fence and the rooster chases him. They have this ritual where Sam pokes things through the chain link fence and the rooster pecks them from his hand. They are so fun to watch and Sam loves to hear it crow.

Our dear friend, Mechelle from the mountains called and we had a nice long chat.She said it looked like the ground was covered with snow this morning as the frost was heavy. All of her critters are doing well as is the family. We sure miss the great meals we share as well as all the fun games. She mentioned our small group(house church) is sponsoring a less fortunate family this year in Sparta and we are thrilled to be a part. They are having a community wide corn hole tournament to raise funds as well as food to benefit this family. Seems one child is in a wheel chair another teenager is heading down the wrong path after the mother left the family, so hopefully with a little concern and love we can make a difference in their lives.

I started a new read after the kiddos left and vegetated until it was time to water the front yard before dark. Nancy made a nice meatloaf with a scalloped turnip casserole for supper, yeow talk about good comfort food and very tasty. I'm not really liking the early darkness as it limits our after supper activities outside, oh well, LATER

A little business update; our team leaders made the month of November the month to stock up on all your ARTISTRY Products. It basically a month for gals to buy one and get another duplicate FREE. All make-up, skin care, etc products. Miss America is our spokesperson for ARTISTRY

Sunday(Return to EST)

Well hope all of you remembered to set your clocks back an hour this morning. I actually believe that rooster did the same thing of course it could have been we were up later than usual and maybe slept better with the coolness in the air. Anyhow we got up when it was light outside for a change and did our quiet times and got ready to head over to Tampa for worship at Element Church with son, Bobby.

He had the whole congregation in tears as he shared some personal thoughts and fears. It was an awesome time of reflection and worship and the praise music was super. Thank you son for sharing and letting all of us know that while GOD is using you in a special way he also allows you to be real and down to earth frailties. an experience the same human. We are proud of you and only hope you continue with your love for GOD and your love for us your flock.

Dan and Carol rode with us so afterwards we headed to Chilli's for some lunch at Pinellas Square Mall. We had good food and a fun time together then headed home. I spent the afternoon watching or trying to watch the BUCS play football, actually I flipped the channel to watch Tim Tebow with the Broncos play with heart against the Raiders and they won. That was a good game and my only interest was the Florida Gator player and how well he does in the NFL. He is a strong follower of CHRIST and is just a super player that comes to play every Sunday among a bunch of thugs and criminals in the the NFL. I know the BUCS employ several on their team and they are a lackluster bunch. He is a football player with a great message and a great role model status. Too bad he is on a team that is filled with average players.

Nancy took off about dark for the rehab to bring her mother home and to visit with her dad. I read and watched a little more football until it was time to turn the lights. I sure will miss the outside work after supper now as it gets dark so early now, anyhow it a sure sign that we are getting closer to returning to our cabin now that winter is upon us as we will be looking forward to Spring and DST. LATER

Saturday

It was chilly this morning with temps in the upper 50's but with bright sunshine and blue skies. We actually stayed in bed until nearly 7 AM, even with the usual "fowl wake up" we managed to tune him out for another hour or so. After my cup of hot green tea and quiet time Nancy put together a "mountain breakfast" of buckwheat cakes with a banana in the batter, fried smoked ham and eggs, Yikes was that ever a treat. After the cleanup I headed out to hand water the gardens.

We decided we would pick up her mom for the trip to the rehab and that I would accompany them as well as its been a couple weeks since I had last visited.Amy, Tyler,Ava and Sam were also there visiting so Pap had lots of visitors today. We stayed for about an hour and checked out the PT room as well. He was served lunch while we were there and it looked and smelled great. He ate most of his lunch and actually he looked the best I'd seen him in quite awhile. He still needs help standing and the swelling in his legs and ankles are evident but I saw him smile and actually interact especially with the Ava and Sam. It was a good visit and not nearly as depressing as I envisioned.

We headed home and cleaned up some left overs for lunch before taking a nice long walk through the 'hood. It was just a gorgeous day with no humidity and a gentle breeze kept it quite nice while the temps got up to the low 80's. The garden loves this weather as well. Tyler came by and I dug 4 collard plants, 4 cabbage plants and gave him 1/2 dozen Swiss chard and a dozen or so lettuce seedling as well for his garden. I have lots of lettuce seedlings; black seeded Simpson, romaine and bib to share if anyone wants any. I'll take some to Bobby for his garden as well.

Well after the walk we settled in to watch the Breeders Cup horse racing and a little college football. We were meeting up with Dan and Carol for supper so Nancy made a fresh garden salad using our beet greens and basil. We headed out at 5:30 and had appetizers of marinated artichoke hearts, tiny potatoes wrapped in bacon and cream cheese served with vino. The main course was grilled steaks, asparagus and candied yams and the fresh salad. A couple hours later she served warm baked apple pie with ice cream, yikes there goes the spare tire getting bigger. Thankfully I will be back on the pickle ball court on Monday. We Had a fun evening and Dan won in Phase 10 and Nancy won Oh -ell, another card game we learned from her folks. We headed home around 10 PM which was actually 9 PM with the time change. I finished up the LSU vs Alabama college game that went to overtime and a win for LSU.

Well tomorrow(actually today) is the Gathering at Element Church in Tampa. It will be good to get back to our regular routine for Sunday mornings and get to love up on our grand babies there. LATER

Friday

Well what a change in temps for the day. The morning started out with rain so I drove to the rec after my quiet times and usual morning bowl of oatmeal with some blue berries, banana and cinnamon.After a couple hours of some great pickle ball games I headed home as Nancy needed the truck to drive her mom to the rehab. I didn't need to water as the garden was plenty wet from the early morning rain but the wind had picked up considerably. Finally the telephone repair man arrived around 11AM and it took him nearly an hour to find the contaminated wire that had shorted out in the line behind the house. He was a really a great repair man and gave us a number to call instead of going through Texas for Florida repairs and that to have to wait 5 days for repairs with out any service was not a good thing for the company. Long story short we are back in contact although we did have the Trac Phone which we used plus the Internet so we weren't without some contact.

We spoke with son Bobby and he was doing a beach wedding around sunset in our county and was bringing Annsley and Gabe by for supper and a visit. We invited Amy and her gang as well and the kids played great together. We took the 3 oldest ones to the rec playground after supper to play on the equipment until dark. Gabe stayed at home with grandma and Aunt Amy as he still has some congestion in his chest. He also had suffered a fingers in the door at home that morning and they rushed him to the emergency room for x-rays and treatment but he showed no ill effects except for some slight swelling.

Nancy made a huge pot roast with potato's and carrots in a nice beef broth which fit the bill as the temps dropped rapidly throughout the day and by dark it was in the 50's, yikes did that ever feel good and refreshing. After all the kids bath's and pj's on they headed home a little after 9 PM. What a busy day that was and we had a great time with the kiddos. Ava and Annsley are in their own realm with their princess dolls etc and of course make believe and now the boys are into trucks, trains, balls and emptying Nancy's Tupperware drawers; for some reason that's the first place they go to when coming over to play. They were so cute together and Sam is such a big boy on all the playground equipment. He and Gabe were so cute together as they both wanted be to read and play the book that makes all these sounds from fire engines, trains, cars, MC, tugboats, airplanes and helicopters. I would have thought they would get tired of that but not a chance. I was worn out after my shower and in the sack by 10:30 after reading for about 10 minutes, yikes on Friday Night!!! LATER

Thursday

Well it was another sensational day with regards to the weather. Mild temps,bright blue skies and sunshine with a gentle breeze and that allows us to keep the windows open, although all we hear are sirens all day long. We had so much solitude at the cabin it was a little eerie at times, especially at night when we heard the neighbors dogs barking in the middle of the night we immediately thought of some wild animal on the prowl.

After our "fowl wake up" I did my quiet times with a spot of green tea, then a bowl of oatmeal with a banana before pedalling out to the rec for some couple hours of pickle ball. It was a lite crowd to start with with just 4 of us for nearly an hour then others straggled in and we had a crew playing constantly until noon.I had enough by 10 AM so I headed out for a library stop before heading home.

Nancy was picking GG(mom) up for a hair appointment then afterwards we had lunch together. GG had made some Greek potato salad and we shared that on top of a regular salad with some Greek dressing, Yeow was that ever dewicheous(Annsley). After lunch they took off to the rehab and I hand watered the gardens then settled in to read.

I grilled fresh Salmon and Nancy made fresh broccoli and garlic butter angel hair pasta for supper, Yeow to that as well. We ate very gourmet today or should I say "high on the hog". That's an old country boy saying and I often wondered what it meant and now I realize that's anything above the ground where the hog or pig walks; so if your a farmer or know where I came from, that's a plus.

After supper I cleaned up and Nancy took off to the rehab to drive her mom home and visit with her dad. There is some improvement as he was complaining again about everything and when that happens we know he is getting better. Well I finished another read about a sensational murder that occurred in the 1920's and the end result was electrocution for both male and female. Author Ron Hansen wrote about the "crime of the century" in a book titled A WILD SURGE OF GUILTY PASSION. Judd Gray and Ruth Snyder were complicit in the brutal murder of her husband for money and passion. Its a great read much like John Jakes who writes historical novels. A good read and a real page turner.

Well I received via Fed Ex my Ribbon Gifts today from Amway so I ventured on the Internet for some new purchases that will be delivered to my house. Wow was that not an incredible offer last month with these gift albums. I hope those of you who ordered are as satisfied as we are. We needed a couple of the items but wanted one so it worked out great for us as we bought 2 and recieved the one we wanted free. Thanks again to our generous team leaders Mel and Chris and for the bucks we are saving. Later

Wednesday

It was another magnificent weather day in sunny Florida, temps stayed around the high 70's mark with a nice gentle breeze and tons of sunshine. The morning was much the usual; quiet time, bowl of oatmeal and a ride to the rec for a couple hours of pickle ball. Afterwards I headed home to work in the garden. Wow does the garden love this weather as its really starting to show growth and finally some color.

Nancy headed out for her walk to and from the rec and then did 30 minutes on the treadmill. We had an early lunch as she had to pick up her mom and drive her to the rehab at noon. Her dad is about the same but at least he is doing some PT but still can't stand or walk by himself alone, so there is much to be done before he can come home.

We decided to cancel house church tonight as most of the gang was on a cruise to the Caribbean so Nancy and I took a nice long walk in the 'hood after a supper of fried smoked ham, sweet potato and Brussels sprouts in Dijon mustard, wow was that ever some good eatin'. We love the sprouts and are glad they are back in season as they are a cooler weather plant much like kale, spinach,etc.

Not much is a happening down here except we sure miss the mountains and we both daily check Ray's Weather.com for a live web cam look from the Roaring Gap club house. The pictures of the leaves are just gorgeous this year and we reflect back on the first Fall we were able to spend at the cabin and how beautiful the leaves were surrounding our place that year. I think this year from the pictures we have seen of the leaves are much like that year. Our heart aches for that ambiance.

Well we watched Survivor and then I read until it was time to turn the lights for the night. We still have NO phone and its been since Sunday when I reported there was no dial tone on the line. We have seen no one from Verizon in the hood so I'm getting aggravated. Surely we will get something done before the weekend, LATER

Tuesday

Well when I rode out to the rec this AM on my bike it felt like Fall had arrived, again. It was chilly well it felt chilly at 60 degrees when usually the temps are in the high 70's, Ahhh. The seasonal change in temps for Florida change almost daily, as we once again opened the windows and tuned the a/c off.

The morning except for the delicious temps was much the usual with the fowl wake up, my quiet time and a bowl of boring oatmeal with a banana and cinnamon. We had a small turn out for pickle ball of about 8 players which meant there were few rest minutes in between the games in the 2 1/2 hour workout, lots of wet shirts were evident. I pedalled home to work outside in the garden until lunch time as Nancy was leaving early to drive her mom to the rehab facility and Amy and kiddos were doing a park day with some of Ava's school mates. What a super day for that. So I did some of end of the month business transactions which didn't take long but its fun and I'm enjoying this new adventure which takes my mind off being in the mountains and all the fun stuff I do there.

Can you believe in this day and time we have no phone service with Verizon on our land line. For some unknown to us reason the phones quit working sometime Monday so I checked the interface box outside on the house and there is no dial tone from the direct line. I called and some gal in Texas said it would be back in service by the 7th of Nov., unbelievable it going to take 8 days before they can guarantee phone service. At least I have my Trac phone which we use for emergencies and for traveling especially in the mountains as our old T-Mobil cell phone was useless there; but the Trac works well there. Anyhow it a pain to not be able to receive or make calls on your land line.

The garden is doing great and I think collards will be ready for a first picking in a week or so. I picked young beet greens and added them to the salad last night with our supper of bone-in pork chops on the grill with fresh rosemary on top, sauteed yellow squash with onions and garlic in olive oil and a baked potato with fresh cilantro, (jalapeno pepper for me, as well) and sour cream, yikes was that ever a feast. After the cleanup we took a long walk through the hood until after dark. We got interested in a great old movie WE ARE THE TITANS and watched it until 11 PM.

Well not much else is going on except let me tell you about this month's business special for Amway. I'll try not to bore you but every couple weeks as an update and a reminder. This month of November is a gal's month for skin care and make up produced by ARTISTRY. Anything with that name in the company is buy one, get one Free. Yikes I was perusing that area on our shop's website and that stuff ain't cheap; but if you buy one then your actually cutting the price in half. Great sale and once again that comes from our Team Leaders only. I also learned Miss America is our spokes person for ARTISTRY.

Well the days are definitely getting shorter and will even more so in a week or so, but that means for us that we are getting that much closer to Springtime and back to the mountains, LATER