My Surprise!

"I DID IT! I DID IT!"
To quote Dora the Explorer....
I entered the Oregon Christian Writers contest and came in as a finalist!! I submitted an unpublished devotional.  I did not take first place...though later a judge said she thought I came in second. (She might simply be an encourager.)

I had entered two years ago and did not reach finalist. The critiques seemed harsh so I did what any aspiring writer would do....I gave up. After sitting out a year I had an inspiration from observing a comforting interchange between one of my sons and his daughter.  I wrote on that.  


We had a marvelous 4 day conference featuring morning worship services; keynote speakers from writers, editors and producers; workshops on our individual genres; and one on one coaching from professionals. 
The interaction was quite intense.  I attended workshops on writing devotionals and how to build a dynamic website.    


I did learn one awe-inspiring bit about our human brain..... 

I met 4 ladies who I know will become lifelong friends....



I even got my exercise in by walking to the various meetings

The conference was held at the Red Lion Hotel along the Columbia River in Portland.  Some folks traveled from the east coast and Canada.  I merely had to cross the river.  But since even that is too much city driving for me, granddaughter Angie was my chauffeur. 

I took an hour on Tuesday afternoon to enjoy some Columbia River, I-5 bridge, Mt. Hood,  scenery. 

A few of the 12   bridges of Portland.

I have only one complaint about the care the hotel gave us...
the meals were totally Portland Foodie Fare....It was tasty and a delight to vegans and vegetarians.  But my brain and belly shouted, "Where's the beef?"  That's my beef....  




My trusted granddaughter companion picked me up on Thursday. We dashed to Cracker Barrel for a Midwest meal of pot roast, mashed potatoes, gravy, sweet potato casserole and corn bread. Observe what is not there??  See anything GREEN....? 

This has been a good 10 "my surprise" days in the life of Grandma G.

"My heart is stirred by a noble theme, as I recite my verses for the king; my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer."  (Psalms 45:1)
                                       

It's Appropriate....

    Friday, August 2, I made a dinner of dumplings, pork, sauerkraut and sour gravy for 12 people.  I have not made them for several months ago.  Family members were starting to complain that it had been a long time since Gram G made dumplings.  I decided it was time. 
That involves a few hours at the grocery store searching for bargains for all the ingredients. It needs to be at least one day or more in advance so the 5 loaves of bread have time to dry out.  The dumplings are baseball sized spheres of broken bread pieces and blended potatoes.   

Before we eat everyone guesses how many dumplings there are.  The one closest to correct number wins a prize.  This time there were 37.  Usually the count is higher because I shape them smaller, but Debbie formed them this time and made them bigger.  

They, or at least, the gravy make for double- fisted eating.  
 This mealtime was special because Kahana and Saul had their first taste of our traditional dinner.
(Baby Pomai has to wait awhile yet.)
I think they liked the German cuisine. I got to bond a little with Pomai.  She even smiled and baby-talked to me!  We need to be friends cause I am caring for her a few hours a week starting in Oct.  

I was wanting to have a family party this summer. 
And so I did..  Lizard and all!!

With napkins to help us cool off from the 90 degrees.

Zach gave up trying to get here on Friday evening since the Portland traffic was horrible. They turned around and went home after waiting 2 hours to go a few blocks.  

He and Rosie came Saturday afternoon and we had a rerun of the dumpling dinner with a bit of a sit in the Hobbit garden.

Yay!  A 2 day party......

SO.....why are the dumplings  appropriate??

CAUSE....

The same day I was making dumplings here in Washington, the Schmidt guys were dismantling the sheet metal shop in Wisconsin.

And the duel events were not planned.  

You see, dumplings were a staple while the kids were growing up.  They were also Lou's favorite meal.  (It was the one thing that he would brag that I made better than his mom.  She is who I learned the art from early in our marriage.) 

The sheet metal shop was Lou's central attention and income for many years.  Recently Al has been occupied there.  Unfortunately since Lou's death a year ago the family property has been reclaimed by the bank.  

Al and the complete shop....            Part way through the clean up

Removing the main brake....       Ready to relocate the equipment....

Text sent to family .... 

Text sent by me...
(Angie would have been about 5)                       












Lou built most of the shop himself and Gerry (Bear) was 10.  Lou didn't understand at first that a 10 year old did not have the same working endurance as a grown up. He was angry that Bear wanted to go swimming and then realized he was too harsh.  I think Bear went swimming but I don't remember.
Lou's middle years in the shop with grandson Cory observing. 











Snow scoops were Lou's specialty.  

It is sad to see the shop be done.  Life evolves and moves on. The adult children have created lives for themselves and their children.  It was appropriate for me to be making dumplings and have family enjoying them.  That bridged the past advancing into the future.....

_____________________________________

A bit more family bonding....
Son,Burt, from Wisconsin and his boss (his friend Mike) came to Skamania Lodge here in Washington for a business conference this week.  On Wednesday afternoon the attendees had the option of white water rafting on the White Salmon river.  They also had to option to ride the raft down a 12 foot water fall.  Oh My!!

 Burt and Mike on the right side....
He said the cold water and the ride was an adrenaline rush...didn't recommend it for me.

He did make it in for pizza with family and  to stay overnight here before flying home Friday morning. 










My fun surprise is only a few days away.  You all come back to find out what it is!!

This has been a good 11 "It's appropriate" days in the life of Grandma G.

"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.  When you walk through the fires, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze." (Isaiah 43:2)