Blueberry Festival

This morning, my sister-in-law Esther picked me up to go to the Blueberry Festival with her, our niece Jane, Jane’s husband David, and their two boys Bradley and James. This is the fourth year of this festival and it’s just 2-3 miles down Thonotosassa Rd from my home.

This picture features David and Jane.

Here are Bradley, James, and David.

Jane and Esther are going to hate this picture when they see it :)

Esther is happy, happy.

I could not believe how many people were there. Every empty and not-so-empty field within a mile of the place was filled with cars and had cars coming and going.

At the festival, there were a number of vendors set up selling - can you believe it? – blueberries, BBQ, sandwiches, French fries, Gyros, Kettlecorn, jewelry, hot sauce, blueberry and wine-related items, and so on and so on. For $5, you could taste each of the wines sold at the Keel and Currey Winery. Was the wine-tasting bar ever busy!

Most of their wines are really tasty. My favorite is Peach Chardonnay or Tangerine Tango or Strawberry Riesling, but they have others.

Everybody in our group except me wandered out into the hot sun and picked blueberries. I picked mine by pointing to the package of pre-picked blueberries I wanted.

We had a great time and I’m looking forward to the fifth annual festival.

I’m reading Miss Julia Renews Her Vows right now by Ann B. Ross. There is a whole series of Miss Julia books and I have enjoyed every one I’ve read. I asked for 4-5 library books to be put on hold for me . I expect they’ll be in by the time I finish this one.

Well, I guess that’s if for tonight.

Until next time…

Fast Five

The movie Fast Five was just as great as I thought it would be. Of course, it is NEVER a hardship to have to watch Vin Diesel, Duane “The Rock” Johnson or Paul Walker for a couple of hours either. It made me laugh; it made me cry. The car chases were absolutely unbelievable.

I’m  almost finished reading Killer Angels by Michael Shaara. What insight he has on the Battle of Gettysburg and the men who led the troops on both sides. I expect to finish it before I go to sleep tonight.

Tomorrow, I’m going to the Blueberry Festival at the Keel and Currey Winery here in Thonotosassa. My sister-in-law Esther, my niece Jane and her husband David and their two kids Bradley and James are going to pick me up. It should be a fun time. They have U-Pick Blueberries and I just may pick some, though I have no room for them. Blueberries are one of the best fruits you can eat – I call them little blue bullets.

Well, off to bed so I can be comfortable while I read.

Until next time…

David Wilkerson Killed in Auto Accident

This morning, I was saddened to read on theblaze.com that Reverend David Wilkerson was killed in a car accident. He was the author of The Cross and The Switchblade and his ministry has helped thousands and thousands of people. I have been a regular supporter of his for many years and am sorry to hear of his passing. His monthly newsletters have been an inspiration to me and countless others.

I checked in with most of my family and they are all well in spite of the terrible storms that struck the southeast. But the poor people who lost everything – so sad. We must keep them in our prayers.

While I was visiting my niece in Alabama, she gave me some pictures of her kids. Here are a couple. Aren’t they a beautiful family?

Oh, and I wanted to let you see the sunflowers in my cousin Richard’s yard. They came from the seeds dropped out of the bird feeder.

I’ve spent much of today reading the book Killer Angels by Michael Shaara. It’s about the generals and other leaders who participated in the Battle of Gettysburg. It’s very easy to read, and if you’re a fan of history as I am, very interesting and enlightening.

Well, back to the book.

Until next time…

Lazy – You Betcha!

That is me. Today, other than taking my book on CD back to Cracker Barrel and getting groceries, I spent my day just lazing around my camper. I did have a 2 hour nap this morning and will be hitting the hay a little early tonight.

Needless to say, that doesn’t give me much to talk about tonight.

Aren’t you glad that occasionally I write a short post? I’ll try to do better tomorrow.

Until next time…

Sign in Florida

You just have to see this email a friend sent me… The sign says: “HIKERS and BIKERS  Move to the side of the road when a vehicle approaches.”

Sign Found In Florida You want ME to do what?! I think the alligators put up the sign.

Today, just before 6 am, I left my brother Jeff’s house and headed home. By 2:15 pm, I was in Seffner getting gas at the Truckstops of America. The weather was beautiful and the traffic was light. It was a great ride. I listened to 7 of the 10 CDs that make up the audio book Foreign Influence by Brad Thor. I’m listening to the rest of it now and will return it to Cracker Barrel tomorrow.

I expect to sleep well tonight – all of that driving is exhausting.

Until next time…

Madea’s Big Happy Family

I am a fan of Tyler Perry, especially his Medea movies. Madea’s Big Happy Family is no exception. I saw it today and enjoyed it immensely. It produced a full range of emotion. I probably cried as much as I laughed and I laughed a lot. Loretta Divine did a terrific job. She is also in the movie coming soon called Jumping the Broom. Madea did not disappoint and the movie ended with an appearance on Maury Povich.

Tomorrow, I’ll be heading back to Florida and it sounds like I’ll be driving in rain all day. Oh well, think of how much more we appreciate the sunshine after we’ve had a little rain. It’s raining right now at my brother’s and he’s planning to grill steaks. Hopefully, it will let up long enough that he can cook our dinner.

I’m going to post this a little sooner than usual because I want to get my computer packed up and ready to go.

Until next time…

Happy Resurrection Day

Resurrection Day – A Poem by Kathy Dillenbeck

Today is Resurrection Day, a day when Christians celebrate
The resurrection of our Lord, when Jesus opened Heaven’s Gate.
It looked so bleak when Jesus died at Calvary that fateful day,
Yet now we know He died for us, for our sin’s debt to pay.

He died, but Jesus did not stay--the tomb could never hold Him;
That mighty power of God was used to make the grave unfold Him.
So many saw our Savior die--there was no doubt about it.
For us He bore tremendous pain--no, we should never doubt it.

But many saw Him live again after He gave up His life.
He spoke and walked with those with whom He’d spent the last years of his life.
Because He rose, we have the hope that we shall also live again.
Our bodies will be changed somehow, transformed with life to never end.

Eternal life, our Savior said, was that we would know God Most High,
And Jesus Christ, Whom He had sent, Who came upon this earth to die.
To die for you and die for me our blessed Savior Jesus came,
That we might be redeemed by Him and by the power of His Name.

Yes, we should thank our blessed Lord for all that He has done for us,
That He gave up His precious life and brought eternal life to us.
Why did Jesus have to die?  He died for you and died for me.
Why did Jesus rise again?  He rose to set His people free:

Free from sin and free from death, free to follow God above;
Free to put God first at last, to recognize God’s endless love;
Free to know the one true God and Jesus Christ Whom He has sent;
Free to know that God is love and that His will is truly best.

Captain Chris

Today, my brother returned home from where my nephew is stationed. He attended the ceremony where Chris was pinned a Captain.

I am so proud of my nephew Chris. You can probably tell by this picture that my brother (he’s the one on the right) Jeff is very proud of him too. Chris’s girl friend Sabrina (pictured in the middle) pinned his bars on him. Chris is a great guy and I know this country is in safe hands because of him and others just like him who are willing to sacrifice all to protect and defend us. God bless the USA and those who fight for her.

Until next time…