Paw Paws Place

Well I don't know how old that squirrel is but if he lives long enough maybe he can "people watch". Me watching him seems to be my adventure today as my tree trimming guy did not show up. It might be to his disadvantage as now I will re-think if I really want to trim that tree. Today is one of those day's that I hate. Too hot to piddle around out side and nothing to do inside. I am too lazy to do any thing productive, but I will ride my indoor bike about 5 miles later in the day. I really need to get back in the swing of things as far as exercising goes. When I went out side to get the mullet wrapper this morning at 6:30 AM I almost ran back in. The humidity was so bad that early that it would take your breath away. I came back in and told Pat, "I am glad we are not fishing this morning." The Marvins will be back today from their cruise. Monday Tyler will finish up his golf lessons and then Tuesday will be a new day. This year both Tyler and Luke will be in ...

Well my work is done for the day, I was in the yard early this morning before it got too humid. While I was mowing I kept thinking of James mowing up and down a hill. Whew....am I glad I live or at least mow on flat, bug infested ground. Tonight will be Bears last night of peace as the kids come home in the morning. But I know that he will be thrilled to see them especially Luke, they are little buddies. Well I almost had a heart attack last night because of the house next door. This house was on the market for 1 1/2 years and priced in the $300's. It sold for $175,000 during the crunch. Some people who in live up North some where bought for a retirement place in 10 years. Mean while they intend to rent it out, it is 3 beds 2 baths. Last night 3 adults and 5 kids were looking at the house, so much for peace and quiet. For people who think I am a prude, well I am not. I love kids and love to have my grand kids over. But this is a retirement neighborhood, old farts like me walking i...

"The Crew", graduates of the class of 1957 from Manatee Co High School. Going clock wise you have Sam Bell, Sonny Smith, Gene Martin, Bob Sweat, Bud Jones, Bud Parent and Bill Howard. This is a small portion of the guys that normally show up for breakfast once a month. It is something that I really look forward to each month. The stories get bigger, longer and funnier, and it is the same story. Sam Bell brought pictures of his new grand baby, we all had fun telling him that the baby had more hair then he did. It is great that classmates are able to meet each month, all though I often wonder when I walk in "who are all these old guys'? ha ha. There is also a group of wives that meet on the same day for lunch. They seem to get as much enjoyment as we do seeing each other. I just finished my budget meeting with our city clerk and it was not fun. Bradenton as well as other cities are struggling with funding. The cost of running the city is increasing faster than the rev...

Well here goes another day of surprises, I put the coffee on and nothing happen "kerr pook" the pot is dead. I quickly remembered I had a pot in the garage that I take to fish camp when I need to. So at last the coffee was brewing and I was happy, I read my Bible and then the mullet wrapper and off to work I go. We will see where life's journey will go today. Now for the above pictures, this is one on the mighty oaks that I have in my yard. I planted three oaks when I built this house in 1985, they were about the size of a broom stick handle. I was told by a friend not to plant them so close to the house. The only thing I could think of was SHADE, close to the House they went. I have been able to trim these trees for most of their life time, but not anymore. I can do the smaller limbs that don't hang over my house but.....well this one is out of my reach. The lower limb is way too long and is directly over my house. With the hurricane season on its way it time to say ...

This is Garth, what a beautiful dog he was. I call him "The Man" because that's what he was. A dog to be loved by humans and feared by other dogs. Garth was born in Bradenton, Florida which makes him 1st class to start with. He became a celebrity in Bradenton as he became the "Causeway Poster Dog". Garth swam a lot in our bay as a puppy and when the city went after funding to proclaim the causeway a Scenic Highway, Garth became the poster dog. His picture was on tee shirts and posters through out the city and some were sent to the State with application forums. We did not get to spend much time with him because he moved to SC with Sandy. But what time we spent we fell in love with him also. While I will never forget him I try to forget the last time I saw him, he was so sick. I know he is really missed very much but his spirit lives on in folks who knew him. Yesterday and today have been about my daughter's dogs, remembering them. There will be no more artic...

This is Bowers, he was the first pet that came into our family. Darenda brought him home from college when he was a puppy. We all fell in love with him, he was really sweet and lovable. He is gone now but he is not forgotten by me or any of our family. Last night as Pat and I spent time over at Darenda's tending to their dog Bear I thought about Bowers. Bear is a nice dog and very lovable also but he is no Bowers and I can't feel close to him. Today is a slow day at City Hall but it will get busy the rest of the week. My plans today are to go home soon and piddle around the house. Tonight is a very good college baseball game, LSU vs Ark. Too bad they are in the same division, they would have had a good chance of being in the finals. It would be nice to go fishing today but it is so hot that it would not be fun. The rest of the week will have the same temps, all in the nineties and humid. Well so much for living in Florida, bugs and all. Have a Blessed day. Todays Verse of the ...

I know Sunday is a "Day Of Rest" but today was a day that things needed to get done. Pat and I went to church and then out to lunch with friends. When we got home Pat went over to tend to Bear (Darenda's dog) and spend some time with him. The pictures above kind of explains what I did this afternoon. The picture on the left are grass plugs and on the right is a bad spot in my front yard. after plugging I then went to one of my oak trees and went to work. I removed one big, big limb and the cut it up in to fire wood size and place it our winter stock. I am trying to get things done that I have been putting off too long. Sandy and James will be visiting us soon which we are looking forward to. I don't want to be doing any work while they are here, so It will get it done now. Well take care and have a Blessed day. The Verse of the Day is :...“But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,”- Philippians 3...