EXTRA! EXTRA!!

AKA   GEOGRAM WEEKLY EXTRA

There are advantages and disadvantages to us "sheltering at home".  
Advantage to me....you are a captive audience desperate for entertainment...your disadvantage...
(news photo compliments of FaceBook)





Saturday presented a little bird watching; a little bird (finch) courting ritual on my front porch...this is a sequel from last spring after a little bird flew into my studio one evening. 
(see post June 11, 2019, Has She Gone Bonkers)    

Oh!  She's over there....








  

Hmmm, he's over there...

Maybe she (he) is interested

Well, hello there!!

 
Beautiful day, hey?







Maybe, if I look buffed....

Is there anyone watching?














How about a little kiss?








Hey, who invited them?



There's our cozy house from last spring.....

Wednesday, March 25, there was a flutter when I walked by on the porch!

They are back!

To be continued....


How is Gram G coping?  So nice of you to ask...here's a couple entries I've made 
Monday March 23
Rain has set in and probably for the next 10 days.  Time to find a healthy balanced routine for self distancing.  Right now I don't plan to venture out until Tuesday March 31 to get a few groceries.
Time to plan an interesting food menu!  I plan to work from my "magic freezer" (frozen left overs) that my local family makes fun of...

Today I am going to make hamburger/quinoa stuffed cabbage rolls. I bought a head of cabbage last Tuesday as part of my sustaining food supply.  I ate vegetarian quinoa cabbage rolls last  summer at the writers conference and they were quite tasty.

Pairs nicely with black olives....if you like black olives...

I substituted basil for parsley.  The cabbage roll is quite tasty, though I will alternate other dinners the next few days.   

I find these tactics help me keep balanced:
1. Reach out through texts and phone to family and friends.
2. Exercise by walking, home equipment, stretches.
3. Enjoy your hobbies...whatever they are.
4. Try new food recipes and enjoy favorite foods.
5. Drink plenty of water...
6. Make a list of goals for the day, even if you don't achieve them.
7. Plan some future fun things to do/places to go.
8. Chill out with your favorite TV shows...mine are recorded episodes of Star Trek and Victoria.
9. Record what you did or didn't accomplish  that day....it will help you see what adjustments you might want to make either in goals or efforts.
10. Lift up your heart, worries and trust to the Lord who loves you and your family so much!




I walked 2 miles  Wednesday afternoon when the sun was warm and blue sky overhead.

I had also walked 2 miles Sunday afternoon and enjoyed watching an eagle (maybe a hawk) soar higher and higher into the clouds.



    



This has been a good 5 "GeoGram Weekly" days in the life of Gram G.

"But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint."  (Isaiah 40:31)

Mountain Cabin.....

AKA THE GEOGRAM WEEKLY

Once, a long time ago there was this cabin hidden high in the Cascade Mountains.....                                                 Well, a week ago...... but let me start at the beginning...

Tuesday, March 10, 4 year old Berklee flew up from San Diego and was greeted by cousin, Angie, at the Portland airport.

Berklee brought her mom and dad, Amanda and Bill, along.

Wednesday we all had lunch at Elements restaurant downtown Vancouver, where Angie was our energetic server.

It ain't family if it ain't dumplings....

Turkey head chef Gram G with assistant chefs

A German feast with a serving of Kosher matzah balls...

The gang is (almost) all here....plus a life-sized gnome....

 Berklee, Amanda and Bill, being from sunny California, wanted a mountain adventure, hopefully with snow....Deb and Keys were excited to show off beautiful views of Mt. Hood.
Friday morning, while still in Vancouver, we were teased with a few large and fluffy snowflakes.

When we arrived at our mountain retreat there was no snow...
and no Mt. Hood

Next morning we were greeted to a blanket of white outside....

but no Mt. Hood....

The little girl second cousins were quite excited....

granddaughter, Berklee
great granddaughter, Rosie....

Meanwhile, inside for us not excited about snow...
we have tin can crafts, puzzle of Multnomah Falls, a dog, a lizard, food, fireplace....and substantial supply of liquid refreshment.






















Home made baked wantons
Yum!!



Placing the last piece!!

The Schmidt/Miller Mountain Cabin Crew....

What we DIDN'T see....Mt. Hood from the cabin, summer 2019

Driving back to Vancouver....

Columbia River Gorge....

       Bill, Amanda and Berklee stayed 2 nights at a motel near the airport.                                                      

    Monday we were all greeted with the news of Corona pandemic and need to self distance in our homes.  


They were able to fly back to San Diego and on to their beachfront condo where they are staying while their rental house is getting soundproof windows.

Confined to their beach front condo....poor dears...wonder where they got the idea of puzzling?

I have been staying home since Tuesday.  My routine hasn't changed much other than I'm not going anywhere....Wait!  maybe my routine has changed.  I have plenty to do and more food to eat than I need. Also no piano lessons. The weather has been nice so I have spent a couple hours each day cleaning up my hobbit yards.  

I pray you all stay well and safe.  This too shall pass.  But we do need to take care.  The Lord will see us through.

This has been a good 2 GeoGram weeks in the life of Gram G.

"Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me, for in you my soul takes refuge, I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed." (Psalm 57:1)