Paw Paws Place

I am so tired of this hot summer, I am looking for winter time to come now. The above picture makes me wish that I was there in that cold country with that fire going. "Oh well" it will be here soon enough and I am sure I will complain about it being too cold. ( I hope not). This has been a week of emotions for me, and it has been tough. I guess this comes with old age, I'm not sure! My thoughts have been on my grandsons, Luke going into the 2 nd grade and Tyler entering High School. I guess I have been emotional over the thoughts of Tyler being introduced to the elements of the world. When I think of what school is like today it just scares the crap out of me. Tyler and Luke are such loving kids, I hope that they stay that way. I wanted so much to sit down with Tyler and just talk. But I know that is for his mom and dad to do. I am very sure that they did but I still wanted to share with him. So, I do the best thing that I can, I pray for them. I look at the pictures ...

This Blog period starts off on Monday of last week. Tyler has accepted the job of mowing my yard, which I am most grateful. He had a rough start, about three Fourths through mowing he was stung by a Wasp. With all that he still did a great job mowing and I hope he continues for a while. I am totally done with it especially in the summer. I need to back up a little as I got ahead of my self. Monday I worked out at the gym for an hour or so. Tuesday morning I woke up with a sore back for some reason. I took Tuesday and Wednesday off from the gym and finished the week off working out including Saturday. So I was able to complete my goal of working out 4 days a week. Thursday night Pat and I took my brother and his wife out for supper. The 14Th was Jeanette's birthday so we celebrated with them the day before. Friday I woke up with Pink Eye and have had a rough time with it and still am. I never had that crap before and hope I don't ever get it again. Friday and Saturday was a quie...

Pat and I had a rather laid back week end this past week, which was OK by me. In the last 10 days I have read two James Patterson books and I have started the third. Friday night we went out to supper with Bob and Sue Sweat. After supper we went to their house and played cards for a while. We then ran over to the Marvin's house and let Bear out. The Marvin's were spending the night at the Marvin condo on the beach. Saturday Tyler came home from his summer vacation. He had been with his other grandparents for about three weeks. They treat him royally as he just has a ball. This year they spent a lot of time at their lake house. Tyler was able to fish and go boating and skiing. As you can see he did rather well fishing, that was his 7th bass to catch. Luke spent the last week at a soccer camp on the Island. I watch him one day and he did rather well. He was one of the littlest fellows out there and that day he kicked both winning goals. The next day he kicked 3 out of the four go...

Pat and I have just completed 48 years of marriage and I am so thankful for her. As I sit here at my desk and ponder, I realize that this marriage was made in heaven. God sent her to me and as always he knows what he is doing. I look back at my two daughters Sandy and Darenda and realize what a Blessing they have been to us. They both are married to two nice guys who take care of them. We have two grandsons who are the next generation of this family tree. I wish that I could be here on this earth to see them in their old age. I would love to know how they filled their life with their dreams. Who knows maybe God will appoint me as their special Angel to watch over them and I will see all that. As the picture says, I am thankful every day for what has been given to Pat and I. Have a Blessed week and be a Blessing to someone today. “But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at....

I guess that I have whined enough about my lack of energy and desire to do anything. I have complained about it all, I am 71, I have had open heart surgery, and I have bad knees and back. You name it I have said it or thought it. My doctor told me to get off my butt and join a gym. I laughed and told him I did not need any exercise beyond getting up and going to work. I have really felt like crap for some time and I guess I am tired of it. I have joined a gym and have been working out for several weeks. I started out very slow and have worked up to a pretty good work out. This morning I worked out for 1hr and 12 mins which may not seem a lot to many. I go to the gym about 4 times a week and love it. It is a good start for me and I am starting to feel pretty good. I still realize that I cannot do much outside in that summer heat. I am a lucky man; I have a wife who enjoys working in the yard. When it is time to mow I now do one half and she does one half. It does make it a lot easier f...

Pat and I had an opportunity to take a short vacation this past week. It all started with us going to Jacksonville for a memorial service for the Fire Chiefs who have passed recently. I went to represent the Horne family of Bradenton and Georgia. Nancy Horne a dear friend and classmate was married to Vernon Horne. Vernon was my Assistant Chief when I was Chief of the Bradenton FD and then became Chief on my retirement. Vernon passed away and was honored at the conference this year. Nancy asked me if I would represent her and the family and I did, it was an honor to do so. On Sunday after the memorial service we headed to North Carolina to spend some time with our dear friends Gary and Harriet Gregory. We arrived about 6:30 PM unpacked and went to supper with the Gregory’s. The next morning we woke up to a nice cool rain as you can see by the pictures. Just about every day it was hot for about 6 hours and cool in the AM and PM. The cool part was ok with me as I have had all the heat ...

Once a month classmates from the "Great Class of 57" get together. The guys do breakfast and the gals do lunch. Today I thought I would take my camera along and take some pictures. As you can see we eat at First Watch which is located on Cortez Rd and 72nd street West. Today was a small gathering as some were out of town on vacation. Staring on the left you can see a portion of Nick Baden (who was ducking), Bill Howard, Sonny Smith and Sam Bell. On the right side is Bud Parent, Chuck Harwick and Gerald Hines. Chuck went to grade school with these guys so I did not know him. Our conversation around the table was about everything you can think of. Nick just got back from Alaska and told us about his trip which was interesting. Of course anytime Nick talks it is interesting. Bill Howard told about talking to his son Billy via Scape. He said it is like sitting in the same room with him We all pray for Billy's safe trip back home when his tour is up. Sam Bell told us about hi...