Fla vs Ga Week End

Pat and I left for the Florida, Georgia football game which is in Jacksonville on Thursday. On our way there I received a phone call from Mike Kennedy who was looking for two tickets to the game. Normally it is really tough for that game but I was able to find two within several hours. We will meet up with them about 2 pm at our tailgate location.

That night we took our dear friend Jim Williamson out to supper in St Augustine. We ate at Osteen’s Family Seafood restaurant. We have eaten there a few times and it is really good. That is where we ate last year with Jim and his wife Nell. Nell passed away in January, so going there was a special meaning for all of us.
Jim spent the night with us and we watched that terrible FSU – NC St. Game. In the morning I made some sausage gravy and Pat made some eggs and biscuits. Jim had some early things he had to attend to so we sent him along with a full tank. As you can see we are at the beach in Ponte Vedre. This home is owned by Jim’s daughter Sherry and her husband David. They have shared it with us for years; they are so sweet to us. This is the view from their observation tower atop of the house. You can see the sun setting over the Gauna River State Park. The home sits on the shore line of the Atlantic Ocean which always seems very choppy this time of the year.

During the day Pat and I rested and read our books for the most part. We decided about 2 pm that we would go get lunch in Jacksonville Beach. We ate at Chili’s and brought half of it home. We will enjoy snacking on it later tonight as we watch the WVa - UConn game and listen to Manatee vs. Venice. 9:40 PM, Manatee wins District Championship 24 – 7 over Venice.
Canes vanquish Venice to win district title .
His players clustered around him, Manatee coach Joe Kinnan smiled and uttered three words he hadn’t said in four years.“We’re district champs!” And with that, the Hurricanes, fresh off a convincing 24-7 win over Class 5A-District 10 foes Venice, jumped and screamed in unison, celebrating the program’s first title since 2006 — which was also the last time Manatee (8-0, 3-0) defeated the Indians.

Saturday morning was rise and shine day for Pat and I. We were at Jim’s house in the morning to pick him up for the start of the tailgate party. As you can see we had a number of people who attend each year. Some of the people we see, we only see once a year at the party. At this tailgate party we always celebrated Nell’s birthday (Jims Wife). As I have already stated Nell passed away earlier this year and Pat and I had talked about it on our way to pick up Jim. She was much on our mind as we loved her and dearly miss her.

This year Pat and I had a total surprise pulled on us. Brian and Jim asked Pat and I to come and stand by the table. Brian read a certificate that stated this was our 89th attendance at their tail gate parties that they hold for Florida football games. As Brian was reading we were presented with Crowns and necklaces by Jim’s granddaughters. They are all such great people, it is just a blessing to be around them.

Dr. Bridges also presented a gift to Pat. He stated when his wife Vicki passed away this year she gave all her cloths away, but she wanted Pat to have her favorite Gator shirt.

Well off to the game we went and it was a real mess trying to get in. We all finally got in and settled in for the beginning of the game. Sitting by us were Dave, Sherry and Danielle they are Jim’s daughter, son- in law and granddaughter. Danielle is getting her PHD at Florida and teaching also. She is a very bright and beautiful person.

I am sharing some pictures I took during the game. There are only two that count. One is the field goal in overtime and the other is the score board. Well remember what tonight is and have a good time.

All in all it was just a great week end. You be Blessed and be a Blessing to someone this week.
“Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.” (1 Peter 5:8-9)