Friday, September 25, 2020

The Storm Passes...

   AKA  THE GEOGRAM WEEKLY...  
I got brave on Tuesday evening, the 15th, donned my N95 mask ventured out to the mailboxes to retrieve my mail since Wednesday the 9th.  The air quality had briefly dropped to

"very u
nhealthy" from "hazardous".  A silent, eerie gray coated what should have been a blue evening sky. Still there were no birds or small critters scurrying around.   







Filter This!!
     After a couple days of smoke I realized that the furnace filters probably need to be changed even though the time limit hadn't past.  I mistakenly thought I had another set in reserve. I did not.  (I had even briefly considered buying some a couple weeks back when I was at a store, but figured I had a set at home.)
  
After a few more days when the smoke lessened I checked at local stores for new filters. 
This is what happens when there are none to be had...a great assortment of orange storage bins!         I went online to find some.  Found some, but had to order sets of 4 and shipping would be a week.   OK, that would have to do. 

                                    

In the meantime I vacuumed the old filters in hopes of getting more use out of them.  Fortunately the weather is mild and the air has cleared.  
When the new ones hadn't arrived by Tuesday the 22nd I checked the web page.  Seems they were closed for a week because of the hurricane that passed through Florida.  Surprise.  Upon inquiry they notified me the filters should arrive in about another week.  They are high quality, potent
air cleaning ones.  I am excited!   I think...
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This past weekend we had a 4th B-day party for my great granddaughter, Rosie!   SO fun that she wanted to spend the weekend at Grandma Geo's house!  To me there is nothing more special than when a child likes you!!  
           

First grandchild, Zach, with first great grandchild, Rosie

             
Ready to bungee jump at the mall!
Princess Anna

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I've gotten out for a few walks as the air has returned to normal.  It's the time of year when weather is morphing from summer to winter and often doesn't know how to act!

Yesterday I went for a shorter walk in between a light rain.  It seemed a number of days I couldn't get out and its easy to get lazy.
Today we are having our first full day of heavy rain.  
But don't worry!  Next week it's sunny and 80's!! Need to finish some outdoor work and get some fall decorations up!
Bloom beautiful, even in difficult circumstances!


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 These past weeks 
I've worked on granddaughter, Gemma's, "surprise" digital photo album from our trip.  The "surprise" part is kind of a joke since all the grandkids expect that one will be coming.

I have fun working on them and reliving all the great times!  I'm a bit sad when the project is done, like good friends have ended their visit.  
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What better way to welcome the rainy weather than a fresh batch of homemade chicken noodle soup!


The latest emergency and endurance test has passed.  I would not be honest to say all is upbeat.  I struggle with finding a smooth rhythm to everyday life, along with a nagging headache the past few weeks...as well as trying to work with a new format for this blog...not going well.  
But I am comforted, knowing that life will plod along and there are more blessings to appreciate than problems to be solved!  And we have a Lord who helps us through it all.
__________________________  


I'm observing the videocast of  "The Return" at the national mall in Washington DC.  It is a great day of prayer, repentance and reflection for our personal life and for our country.

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

"Therefore tell the people: This is what the Lord Almighty says, 'Return to me', declares the Lord Almighty, 'and I will return to you', says the Lord Almighty."  (Zechariah 1:3)

Saturday, September 12, 2020

Fire Storm Extra...

AKA GEOGRAM WEEKLY EXTRA...

I don't generally bring current events into my blog, but this one is significant and sad. 

Wild fires have been burning in Oregon and Washington since  September 8.  Weather conditions were hot, dry and very windy.  

Wednesday evening on my street looking north





    Looking south








Once again we are "hunkered down" but not from a virus; this time wildfire smoke.  I have not been outside since Wednesday evening and will not venture out again until Monday at the earliest. 

 Saturday morning presents an eerie, silent environment of "yellow-tan"sky, no wind, no birds chirping, no one on their daily walk, no cars going by


 









Major fires throughout the west coast...
hazardous air...
Portland air the worst in the world... 

Latest posting on FaceBook...

I got mine going with Thyme, Rosemary, Basil (love the fragrance) and a bit of peppermint.  No evergreen cause I ain't going outside.  Also have furnace filters (though I missed getting the super hypo-allergen ones), furnace fan continually running, a large humidifier and a small air purifier.

Noon on Saturday,  I turned on local news to get the latest.  All the channels have football going.  Guess some things take first place...

Pictures of the Oregon fires...one is close to southeast Portland.  Some suburbs have been evacuated and a few small towns have been completed demolished.  40,000 people are without housing. There are Washington fires going north and east of us.  One quite close to Vancouver.














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We have had better days shortly before this.  



A Sunday afternoon outing with grandson Zach and great granddaughter Rosie.



Proof of lovely skies that will return....



Time for zucchini bread 
Labor Day outing with Debbie and Micaela...




Coming SOON...newest chapter in Gram G's story...check back...

This has been a sad, but good GeoGram week in the life of Grandma G.

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

Friday, September 4, 2020

Another Successful Great Adventure...part 2


AKA...THE GEOGRAM WEEKLY

Part 2 of the 
Gemma/Gram G Great Wisconsin Adventure!
The fun continues...

Cultural Events!....

A live, in person, sporting event!   POLO!!
Featuring cousin Olivia...
A scrimmage played by local pony club members.
Most of us had never seen a polo game or know the rules.  We feel quite "cultured" now.   







A Star, A Fan and their Horse...
Cousin Olivia, Gemma and Lucky...
More family fans...









A fashion show of personally designed, sewed and modeled collection by cousin Emilia...




       















A violin/fiddle concert by cousin Louisa, 



 A Saturday evening
 Italian dinner with Aunt Angie, Brian and Ryan... 
Table side service...  A $1,000 "round" of imported cheese.  A small portion melted and fashioned into "mac and cheese on steroids".  Yummy...



An Oconomowoc sunset.... "where the waters meet"














This ain't no cover up...
Sometimes you're happy
Sometimes you're not...








But it's all smiles as we check out downtown Milwaukee, the public market


       













And the Lake Michigan shoreline 


Special events for Gemma...
She wanted "weather" because they don't get much in San Diego.  Couldn't deliver on the thunder but she did enjoy some heavy rain...







Hunting for fireflies 
AKA lightning bugs...
None in San Diego.
"Wauwatosa", the home of the sister cousins is native American for firefly...





Suddenly the day comes for goodbyes to all things Wisconsin...
Gemma, Uncle Chuck, Aunt Anna, Louisa, Olivia, Emilia


Luna guarding her family




Time to head back to San Diego...




  to Dad 




And Family....















Time for Gram G to fly back to Vancouver....
Good bye to Gemma and thanks for another successful
Gram G Great Adventure....
Here's to next summer and another one....







This has been a good GeoGram week in the life of Grandma G.

"May the Lord bless you from Zion; may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life.  May you live to see your children's children--peace be upon Israel."  (Psalm 128:5-6)