The morning started out much the usual with the roosters crowing around 5:30 way before daylight hours. I'll be glad when they get on DST, anyhow after my usual quiet moments and a lite breakfast I pedalled out for a couple hours of pickle ball play. Afterwards I headed home to pick lettuces and water the gardens. Amy, Sam and GG were coming for lunch so I made a huge salad while Nancy was at the rec for her workout.
Well it seems the cartridge in Moen kitchen faucet is starting to malfunction so its time to replace that as well as the kitchen sink. Its been in there for 25 years so I guess I've got my money's worth. Nancy and I have to attend grand parents day at Ava's school this morning(Friday) so on the way home we will stop at Home Depot and pick out a new sink, faucet and all the accessories. I just hope I can get the old fittings off without any further damage.
I grilled a couple pork chops for supper along with sauteed Swiss chard and a salad. We both have to make a valiant effort to lose a few pounds by eating no starches with proteins and to limit our intake of carbs that turn into sugars. Yikes that will be hard to do especially with birthday dinners coming up in the next couple weeks. I can forgo the sweets but the smashed taters are hard to leave in the pot. After the cleanup which saw some water leaking down below the sink and into the cabinet we got ready and headed up to what will become our weekly get together for our house church. We are doing a study by Charles Swindoll titled THE GRACE AWAKENING. We got back to the house around 9 and then settled into American Idol. Wow what a few misfits in both contestants and judges, oh well!!! I guess I need to show grace but what has our society turned into. LATER
Friday, February 22, 2013
Thursday, February 21, 2013
Thursday Morning
Well Wednesday turned out to be once more another beautiful day with spring like temps. There were some high clouds which kept the temps down into the middle 70's but splendid after a cloudy drizzle early morning start. The roosters were in form with early morning crowing so I was up at 6:15 and on the computer writing this post with a cup of hot green tea. Our grand kids I hope will one day read these posts and learn what we were all about on a daily basis.
After a grapefruit for breakfast I pedalled out for what turned out to be nearly 2 1/2 hours of pickle ball. It seems the caliber of play has gone up with most all the players as well as some of the temperament of a couple of the guys. There are a couple guys who show such disdain for some of the weaker players and even refuse to play with them at times, oh well. We had a good turnout and for most of the morning there were great rallies and good matches.
I came home to work in the garden while Nancy was at Dr. Beirl's office for more dental work. I must say he is one fine dentist and he and his staff quickly become your friend as well. We got to know him through our once next door neighbor who is his hygienist. I picked more tomatoes, then watered and fed my new seedlings as well as the whole garden. It's still producing tons of good things to eat.
I got in touch via Face Book a couple of my USAF buddies about validating my many missions into Vietnam during my career as a loadmaster on a C-141A aircraft. I even spoke with my old NCOIC(non-commisioned officer in charge), Boston Sizemore who is up into his 80's, and he remembered me as well after all these years and said he would also write a letter for me. It's a darn shame the military failed to recognize my war time service on my discharge DD214, but the VA is now going to assist me in that correction along with my "buddy letters" that attest to the fact we all flew into the war zone. Seems many of the young airmen have faced the same problem I'm facing when signing up for a registry for the Agent Orange exposure that occurred during the Vietnam War.
Well since we had no one for lunch but Nancy and I we took off afterwards to run some errands at Home Depot and Sam's Club. We shopped then stopped off to bring some goodies to GG and visit for awhile before heading home. It was after 4 by the time we got back and unloaded. We decided to finish the delicious deer chili and Cole slaw for supper so that was easy and not much involved. After the cleanup it was Fox News time then Nancy switched to the Idol while I ventured between commercials to O'Reilly. It wasn't long after that and my shower until it was lights out for me, LATER
After a grapefruit for breakfast I pedalled out for what turned out to be nearly 2 1/2 hours of pickle ball. It seems the caliber of play has gone up with most all the players as well as some of the temperament of a couple of the guys. There are a couple guys who show such disdain for some of the weaker players and even refuse to play with them at times, oh well. We had a good turnout and for most of the morning there were great rallies and good matches.
I came home to work in the garden while Nancy was at Dr. Beirl's office for more dental work. I must say he is one fine dentist and he and his staff quickly become your friend as well. We got to know him through our once next door neighbor who is his hygienist. I picked more tomatoes, then watered and fed my new seedlings as well as the whole garden. It's still producing tons of good things to eat.
I got in touch via Face Book a couple of my USAF buddies about validating my many missions into Vietnam during my career as a loadmaster on a C-141A aircraft. I even spoke with my old NCOIC(non-commisioned officer in charge), Boston Sizemore who is up into his 80's, and he remembered me as well after all these years and said he would also write a letter for me. It's a darn shame the military failed to recognize my war time service on my discharge DD214, but the VA is now going to assist me in that correction along with my "buddy letters" that attest to the fact we all flew into the war zone. Seems many of the young airmen have faced the same problem I'm facing when signing up for a registry for the Agent Orange exposure that occurred during the Vietnam War.
Well since we had no one for lunch but Nancy and I we took off afterwards to run some errands at Home Depot and Sam's Club. We shopped then stopped off to bring some goodies to GG and visit for awhile before heading home. It was after 4 by the time we got back and unloaded. We decided to finish the delicious deer chili and Cole slaw for supper so that was easy and not much involved. After the cleanup it was Fox News time then Nancy switched to the Idol while I ventured between commercials to O'Reilly. It wasn't long after that and my shower until it was lights out for me, LATER
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Wednesday Morning
Well Tuesday was just fabulous weather wise that started with the high 50's in the morning and nearly reached 80 by late afternoon. Bright sunshine, blue skies and just enough of a breeze to make it comfortable for working outside in the garden and reading under the big oak in the afternoon.
The morning started with the usual dueling by our residence roosters next door and thus a roll out around 6:30. After my quiet moments and a lite breakfast I pedalled out to the rec for some 2 plus hours of pickle ball. We had a good crew of players and lots of wet shirts. The play has recently improved with a tune up for the up and coming Good Life Games in March. I think I will pass this year as I still have tendinitis in my right elbow. I'm able to play daily but when I have a pardner that would depend on me for possible 4-5 matches in a day during the tournament; I'd best not let them down. Anyhow its taking longer than I want to heal and that's because I don't want to rest it for weeks. Oh well!!!
I came home and worked in the garden transplanting some onion seedlings I started from seeds. These will be scallions only for eating. I then fed all of my new seedlings with half strength Miracle Grow and then picked tomatoes. The 2 huge ones I picked to keep the fruit rats from biting into are finally turning in the window sill. At this time I'm getting a half dozen or more large cherry type tomatoes but the Celebrity plants are just loaded with nice size 'maters. I cut a beautiful head of cabbage for Cole slaw for supper to go along with our chicken fajitas. Wow were they ever tasty.
Amy, GG and Sam came for lunch and we dined on the fresh salad as well as used up some of the leftover crusty bread which Nancy toasted in the oven with garlic butter. No wonder I can't lose this spare tire; just too much consuming going on here. Sam played outside after lunch and before he left for the day he likes for me to show him "monster trucks on the 'puter" he says. We read the rest of the afternoon and I caught up with trying to get in touch with some of my old Air Force buddies. It seems I will need some buddy letters to say I was flying into Vietnam during the 60's as my discharge papers did not indicate I had ever been there, WHAT!!! I'm sitting here looking at the AIR MEDAL award for 35 missions into the combat zone and I have several oak leaf clusters for each additional 35 missions; and there is no record of that. I'm sure glad I looked into this as I must set the record straight; not that it's going to make a huge difference for my family. I wonder how many other men were not treated right when they discharged from the service?
Well after those yummy fajitas we did the clean up and spoke with our "mountain mom" Helen in the mountains. The weather there is awful with snow, sleet, rain and below freezing temps and more is on the way. We keep trying to get her to come south for a couple months or at least until the weather gets better. It tough on being weathered inside that cabin for days at a time with no sunshine or the chance to get out an exercise. She is an outside person and quite the worker.
We tuned into Fox News then I watched the Lightning beat the Maple Leafs in Hockey and it wasn't long for lights out, LATER Here are a few fresh herbs from the garden and last nights supper!!!
The morning started with the usual dueling by our residence roosters next door and thus a roll out around 6:30. After my quiet moments and a lite breakfast I pedalled out to the rec for some 2 plus hours of pickle ball. We had a good crew of players and lots of wet shirts. The play has recently improved with a tune up for the up and coming Good Life Games in March. I think I will pass this year as I still have tendinitis in my right elbow. I'm able to play daily but when I have a pardner that would depend on me for possible 4-5 matches in a day during the tournament; I'd best not let them down. Anyhow its taking longer than I want to heal and that's because I don't want to rest it for weeks. Oh well!!!
I came home and worked in the garden transplanting some onion seedlings I started from seeds. These will be scallions only for eating. I then fed all of my new seedlings with half strength Miracle Grow and then picked tomatoes. The 2 huge ones I picked to keep the fruit rats from biting into are finally turning in the window sill. At this time I'm getting a half dozen or more large cherry type tomatoes but the Celebrity plants are just loaded with nice size 'maters. I cut a beautiful head of cabbage for Cole slaw for supper to go along with our chicken fajitas. Wow were they ever tasty.
Amy, GG and Sam came for lunch and we dined on the fresh salad as well as used up some of the leftover crusty bread which Nancy toasted in the oven with garlic butter. No wonder I can't lose this spare tire; just too much consuming going on here. Sam played outside after lunch and before he left for the day he likes for me to show him "monster trucks on the 'puter" he says. We read the rest of the afternoon and I caught up with trying to get in touch with some of my old Air Force buddies. It seems I will need some buddy letters to say I was flying into Vietnam during the 60's as my discharge papers did not indicate I had ever been there, WHAT!!! I'm sitting here looking at the AIR MEDAL award for 35 missions into the combat zone and I have several oak leaf clusters for each additional 35 missions; and there is no record of that. I'm sure glad I looked into this as I must set the record straight; not that it's going to make a huge difference for my family. I wonder how many other men were not treated right when they discharged from the service?
Well after those yummy fajitas we did the clean up and spoke with our "mountain mom" Helen in the mountains. The weather there is awful with snow, sleet, rain and below freezing temps and more is on the way. We keep trying to get her to come south for a couple months or at least until the weather gets better. It tough on being weathered inside that cabin for days at a time with no sunshine or the chance to get out an exercise. She is an outside person and quite the worker.
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Tuesday Morning
Yeow, was it ever cold here on Monday morning with frost everywhere except our back yard which was spared from the heavy concentration; I was glad I covered the plants which old sheets that were susceptible to the killing white stuff on Sunday evening before dark. The only damage was to a couple new cucumber plants that were just about a foot in height; despite having them covered. I took the new basil seedlings into the shed as they really don't like the cold.
We slept in until 7'ish as the rec was closed for the holiday despite the big beak's next door with their crowing; somehow I don't think they were quite as active early due to the cold. Our heat came on several times during the night but by 9 AM you could tell a great change in the outside temp's as the warm air moved in and by late afternoon we had windows open and it was short sleeve weather with bright sunshine. I think it went from in the 30's to almost 70's by late evening. No wonder there is so much sickness around.
I worked outside in the garden for awhile then Nancy and I took a long hike through the hood and came back for a late lunch of leftover roast beef sandwiches. I had mine slathered in fresh ground horse radish and piled high with fresh lettuce. We ate pickled cauliflower on the side, yikes was that ever tasty. After lunch I retreated to the reading room and started a new book by Walter Mosely. Mosely is a black author who really puts you in touch with the everyday life of his ethnic group. He writes a good mystery story as well and I find his writing very entertaining.
Nancy took off to take her mother(GG) to have her income taxes done and then brought her back to our house for supper. She made a pot of chili using ground venison, yeow was that ever delicious and I made a huge fresh garden salad and to top the meal off we have Martha White cornbread slathered with homemade apple butter(on mine). Now that was some country eatin'! GG hung around until after the cleanup then Nancy drove her home. It was starting to cool down but nothing like the night before and the fore cast calls for continued warming in the 80's by Friday and Saturday. Florida winters are great except for when you have to run the a/c or the heat and sometimes that occurs all in the same day which happens more frequently than imaginable, LATER
We slept in until 7'ish as the rec was closed for the holiday despite the big beak's next door with their crowing; somehow I don't think they were quite as active early due to the cold. Our heat came on several times during the night but by 9 AM you could tell a great change in the outside temp's as the warm air moved in and by late afternoon we had windows open and it was short sleeve weather with bright sunshine. I think it went from in the 30's to almost 70's by late evening. No wonder there is so much sickness around.
I worked outside in the garden for awhile then Nancy and I took a long hike through the hood and came back for a late lunch of leftover roast beef sandwiches. I had mine slathered in fresh ground horse radish and piled high with fresh lettuce. We ate pickled cauliflower on the side, yikes was that ever tasty. After lunch I retreated to the reading room and started a new book by Walter Mosely. Mosely is a black author who really puts you in touch with the everyday life of his ethnic group. He writes a good mystery story as well and I find his writing very entertaining.
Nancy took off to take her mother(GG) to have her income taxes done and then brought her back to our house for supper. She made a pot of chili using ground venison, yeow was that ever delicious and I made a huge fresh garden salad and to top the meal off we have Martha White cornbread slathered with homemade apple butter(on mine). Now that was some country eatin'! GG hung around until after the cleanup then Nancy drove her home. It was starting to cool down but nothing like the night before and the fore cast calls for continued warming in the 80's by Friday and Saturday. Florida winters are great except for when you have to run the a/c or the heat and sometimes that occurs all in the same day which happens more frequently than imaginable, LATER
Monday, February 18, 2013
Monday Morning
Well Sunday was an awesome and busy day. It started out cold with a strong Northern breeze and the thermometer at 40 degrees; felt like low 30's, but it eventually warmed up to the low 50's but with bright sunshine and blue skies. Our trip to Tampa was uneventful but Bobby's message had the gathering in tears. What an awesome message about knowing the Father and he used PAP(grandfather) as the analogy as how he, Bobby got to know him by just by seeing an old war photograph of PAP and then asking, seeking and knocking(invitation into his life). We were all moved by his message and the way he used scripture in validating HIS desire to have a relationship with us. Just an awesome message. Check it out on his podcast at Iamelement.org.
We headed out shortly after the service as we were having another family meal at 2 PM. GG was cooking a beef roast and we had to get the rest of the meal together for the gang as Errol and Arianne wanted to be back in Miami tonight and they had to drop Corrine off in Naples on their way home. Nancy peeled spuds and carrots and I made another huge salad from the garden. The meal was awesome once again especially with the gravy over the meat and taters'. Yikes I will never lose this spare tire. We had a fun time and with a houseful there was plenty of excitement. Lots of picture taking and after the clean up we talked the southbound gang into staying for a couple rounds of domino's. A fun time was had by all.
After Errol, Arianne and Corrine took off GG, Betsy, Nancy and myself finished out the game of domino's then they headed out before dark. I headed out to cover my garden with old sheets as we were expecting frost over night and it did occur. All of the roof tops were covered in frost this AM when I checked. Luckily the large trees around the back yard seems to have kept most of the killing stuff off of my plants. Amy and Tyler took off after eating to a special concert in Tampa of a African children's choir that was noted for saving young children from the ravishes of war in Africa. They were very impressed with the music plus the emphasis on saving the young children; some as young as 8 were conscripted to join roving bands and forced into killing innocents by these terrorists gangs.
Nancy and I gave Ava and Sam baths and then they watched a movie while I headed in to watch on National Geographic the Killing of Lincoln. The 2 hours documentary is very realistic with awesome portrayal of this vile deed that was perpetrated by the fanatic actor Booth. It's very realistic and is narrated by Tom Hanks. Well that was about it for this busy Sunday of worship, good eatin' and family visits and fun, LATER
We headed out shortly after the service as we were having another family meal at 2 PM. GG was cooking a beef roast and we had to get the rest of the meal together for the gang as Errol and Arianne wanted to be back in Miami tonight and they had to drop Corrine off in Naples on their way home. Nancy peeled spuds and carrots and I made another huge salad from the garden. The meal was awesome once again especially with the gravy over the meat and taters'. Yikes I will never lose this spare tire. We had a fun time and with a houseful there was plenty of excitement. Lots of picture taking and after the clean up we talked the southbound gang into staying for a couple rounds of domino's. A fun time was had by all.
Nancy and I gave Ava and Sam baths and then they watched a movie while I headed in to watch on National Geographic the Killing of Lincoln. The 2 hours documentary is very realistic with awesome portrayal of this vile deed that was perpetrated by the fanatic actor Booth. It's very realistic and is narrated by Tom Hanks. Well that was about it for this busy Sunday of worship, good eatin' and family visits and fun, LATER
Sunday, February 17, 2013
Sunday Morning
Well Saturday morning was just like a spring day and by dark it felt like the onset of late Autumn. What a swing in temps in just about 8 hours but that's Florida weather. Anyhow the morning started out with clear skies bright sunshine with just enough moisture in the air to make it feel like one of those morning you spend outside working. The air has such freshness to the smell so after my cup of tea, quiet moments and a couple buckwheat cakes with banana in the batter I headed out to the back yard and gardens.
Nancy got a load of laundry in and I mowed up the oak leaves that covered the back yard so she could hang her clothes on the line while I mowed up the leaves in the front yard. I gathered about 3 large trash cans of the little leaves then mulched them with the mower and spread them around in the gardens. The fishin' worms love it when I do the leaves that way and they breakdown into great soil in no time with their help. I turned over the side garden with a shovel as I'm going to have to plant some lettuce and tomato's that are an overflow of seedlings in with the sugar peas that are climbing on the fence.
Well after the yard work I headed in to relax but before I took it easy I cut more lettuce for another large salad we were taking to GG's for supper; another family supper get together with Arriane, Errol and Arriane's other grandmother Corrine(Diane's mom). Corrine lives down in Naples with her new husband about 5 months out of the year then returns to Michigan. Her first husband(Diane's father) passed away about 5 years ago.
The gals all went to the bridal shop where Arriane was fitted after trying on her dress. This gown is custom made and none other like it so the high society in Miami will take notice. Arianne teaches in a private school where the community is old money.
Well we had layered enchiladas, egg plant Parmesan and lasagna along with our salad and crusty bread for supper, Delicious. Afterwards we played games and the last game was Balderdash which concluded around 11. Ava and Sam finally crashed and were asleep on the couch and I came from behind on the last name to sucker 4 people into vote for my explanation of who this person was; I whupped Nancy who lead all of us all night long. It was a raucous night with 9 adults at the table and everyone trying their best to outdo the other.
Well today is worship in Tampa at Element Church and then afterwards the gang from last night will meet at our house for another meal of roast beef(GG is cooking while we are in church) and all the fixin's, LATER
Nancy got a load of laundry in and I mowed up the oak leaves that covered the back yard so she could hang her clothes on the line while I mowed up the leaves in the front yard. I gathered about 3 large trash cans of the little leaves then mulched them with the mower and spread them around in the gardens. The fishin' worms love it when I do the leaves that way and they breakdown into great soil in no time with their help. I turned over the side garden with a shovel as I'm going to have to plant some lettuce and tomato's that are an overflow of seedlings in with the sugar peas that are climbing on the fence.
Well after the yard work I headed in to relax but before I took it easy I cut more lettuce for another large salad we were taking to GG's for supper; another family supper get together with Arriane, Errol and Arriane's other grandmother Corrine(Diane's mom). Corrine lives down in Naples with her new husband about 5 months out of the year then returns to Michigan. Her first husband(Diane's father) passed away about 5 years ago.
The gals all went to the bridal shop where Arriane was fitted after trying on her dress. This gown is custom made and none other like it so the high society in Miami will take notice. Arianne teaches in a private school where the community is old money.
Well we had layered enchiladas, egg plant Parmesan and lasagna along with our salad and crusty bread for supper, Delicious. Afterwards we played games and the last game was Balderdash which concluded around 11. Ava and Sam finally crashed and were asleep on the couch and I came from behind on the last name to sucker 4 people into vote for my explanation of who this person was; I whupped Nancy who lead all of us all night long. It was a raucous night with 9 adults at the table and everyone trying their best to outdo the other.
Well today is worship in Tampa at Element Church and then afterwards the gang from last night will meet at our house for another meal of roast beef(GG is cooking while we are in church) and all the fixin's, LATER
Saturday, February 16, 2013
Saturday Morning
Well Friday started with overcast skies which eventually by the afternoon once more saw sunshine and temps into the middle 60's. The ground stayed damp so it was the first day I hadn't hand watered in quite a spell. The morning started out with the dueling roosters around 6 AM. I lingered until 6:30 then started the day with my usual cup of tea, quiet time and then a lite breakfast before pedalling out to the rec for some 2 1/2 hours of pickle ball. We had a good crowd so the play was fast and continuous and lots of wet shirts. We will miss PB play on Monday as its a holiday.
After PB I headed home to piddle around in the garden; pulling weeds and feeding some of the new seedlings. The plants really loved that nice soaking rain. I found where I have 5 small egg plants on the 3 plants. There is nothing quite as tasty as fried egg plant, yeow!!! All of the new lettuce and tomato seedlings have added another leaf almost overnight. The cukes are blooming like crazy as well as are the sugar peas. Since I didn't have to hand water I decided to turn over the soil in the areas where I had lettuce growing and the fishin' worms were everywhere; they are the best soil fertilizer ever.
Nancy was at her Bible study and Amy and Sam weren't coming for lunch so it was quiet around here. I finished KILLING KENNEDY and what an awesome read. There is so much history in this book as well as some very interesting tidbits about the power brokers that were in D.C. This book along with KILLING LINCOLN should be a mandatory read for all students in high school and college. Excellent reading as well.
Well I decided to tackle the taxes for 2012 and spent the next 4-5 hours getting everything ready and then E-filed on line. I like turbo tax and its reasonable as well especially when itemizing; plus I managed a small refund as well. Nancy took her mother grocery shopping then headed to the rec for her workout. I got in a couple phone calls to Paw Paw and Uncle Junior. Paw Paw said Uncle Junior has been having some health issues so we decided to ring him up for a chat. He sounded good and didn't seem to be overly concerned about his health. It had been awhile since we last made contact with one another. Paw Paw sounded good and he and his friend Adeline were down to his Winchester house for the night.
We decided to have fried Swaii(fish) for supper to go along with rice and sweet peas and I must say that is the best fried fish ever. It's a type of catfish but very mild. After the clean up we headed in to watch Fox News then retreated to our respective tubes to flip channels. I like the Friday night fights as well as the gold mining shows and of course Nancy is into HGTV, LATER
After PB I headed home to piddle around in the garden; pulling weeds and feeding some of the new seedlings. The plants really loved that nice soaking rain. I found where I have 5 small egg plants on the 3 plants. There is nothing quite as tasty as fried egg plant, yeow!!! All of the new lettuce and tomato seedlings have added another leaf almost overnight. The cukes are blooming like crazy as well as are the sugar peas. Since I didn't have to hand water I decided to turn over the soil in the areas where I had lettuce growing and the fishin' worms were everywhere; they are the best soil fertilizer ever.
Nancy was at her Bible study and Amy and Sam weren't coming for lunch so it was quiet around here. I finished KILLING KENNEDY and what an awesome read. There is so much history in this book as well as some very interesting tidbits about the power brokers that were in D.C. This book along with KILLING LINCOLN should be a mandatory read for all students in high school and college. Excellent reading as well.
Well I decided to tackle the taxes for 2012 and spent the next 4-5 hours getting everything ready and then E-filed on line. I like turbo tax and its reasonable as well especially when itemizing; plus I managed a small refund as well. Nancy took her mother grocery shopping then headed to the rec for her workout. I got in a couple phone calls to Paw Paw and Uncle Junior. Paw Paw said Uncle Junior has been having some health issues so we decided to ring him up for a chat. He sounded good and didn't seem to be overly concerned about his health. It had been awhile since we last made contact with one another. Paw Paw sounded good and he and his friend Adeline were down to his Winchester house for the night.
We decided to have fried Swaii(fish) for supper to go along with rice and sweet peas and I must say that is the best fried fish ever. It's a type of catfish but very mild. After the clean up we headed in to watch Fox News then retreated to our respective tubes to flip channels. I like the Friday night fights as well as the gold mining shows and of course Nancy is into HGTV, LATER
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