Christmas 2020

THE GEOGRAM WEEKLY...

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

I returned to Vancouver from Alexandria on Wednesday, Dec.2.

The weather here was mild, though cloudy the following weekend.  Grandson Zach helped me fetch the Christmas decorations.  I like to do red and white lights around the edge of the yard.  Problem was that half on the string of lights was lit and half was not, both for the white and the red. I could not figure out how to make the entire set work. I had a similar set from the year before.  SO, by adding that third string the entire yard glowed red and white.

How many years does it take to finish a DIY decorating project? 3? 4?

The problem was the letters are "stick on" felt which don't stay sticked on in the PNW rain.  The 1st year the unfinished wood was painted a nice satin white. The next year the felt letters were glued on and then came unglued.  The 3rd year the project never left the garage. This 4th year letters were reglued and the entire sign smothered in 5-6 layers of spray on "Ultimate Spar Urethane" (available at your local home care store---use adequate ventilation).  

"Candy Cane Lane"...red and white theme. 
                                              

It was also time to send out 20 Christmas cards to grandkids.  It's handy to have that many because I can do everything assembly line style.  Everyone gets the same card and almost the same message and same $10 bill....well not the SAME one.   

I need to brag a bit. I purposely put the wrong card in siblings envelopes.  The most fun reaction was from Burt and his 5 boys.  They opened their cards one at a time.  Logan was confused when his card was addressed to one of his brothers.  Eventually they all realized they had someone else's card.  They spent a bit of time discussing this with their parents, trying to decide if it was on purpose or if Gram G was starting to lose her mental alertness.  They even took bets on which it was.  

They wouldn't tell me who bet on which.😉

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

FROM GRAM G!!

Here in VC we ended up with a Covid Christmas.  I am fine but Debbie's family became sick over the previous weekend.  She tested positive on Christmas Eve.  Today, Dec. 29, 7 of 9 family members are sick. They are slowly recovering. Jake and Baby Autumn are well.

A Christmas afternoon chicken soup drop off  at the Miller house...

A Monday afternoon chicken soup and grocery drop off at Zach's new apartment.  

I went for a walk on Dec. 26, the feast of St. Steven, also my dad's Birthday.  The sky was blue and the temperature almost 50!

Four calling birds, plus three

The Christmas Rose...

 I caught a glimpse of the Christmas Star on Christmas Eve!

REFLECTIONS 

     There are times I feel like Scrooge at Christmas and think "Humbug", at least to decorating.  I don't mind receiving presents.  But the endless shopping and awful "store music" annoys me.  I like to see oodles of lights and lawn ornaments that others have put up.  And I like to see MY house decorated and festive.  It's just that I don't want to do it when I think of all the work involved in putting it up and then taking it all down again.  Then I think, what better way to occupy the long dark hours of this time of year. It's now that we need something to give extra light, not just physically but emotionally as well.  What better reason to decorate and celebrate than in honor of Jesus' birth, the light of the world.

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

"When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.' " (John 8:12)

Honoring Our Veterans...

 THE GEOGRAM WEEKLY...

ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETARY

 One chilly afternoon while I was in Alexandria Burt and I visited Arlington National Cemetery.  We planned to witness the changing of the guard at the tomb of the Unknown Soldier.  However, the custodian told us that due to repairs on the grounds the public was restricted to a distance.  

The walk to the site was lengthy, solemn and peaceful.  Several trees still wore their fall-colored leaves.  Gentle music of birds chirping floated through the silence.  Blue sky alternated with gray and white clouds. Thousands of grave markers covered green hills and flat areas.   

                                                

We were able to get close enough to view the 1PM changing of the guard and I was able to get a video from a distance. 

 

View of Washington DC from Arlington Cemetery

On our walk back to the entrance we decided to look for President Kennedy's burial plot.

Near the grave we noticed a number of trees with pale pink blossoms even on December 1!

Grave of President John Kennedy with the eternal flame and the Arlington house in the background

View of Washington Memorial from Arlington 

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THE VIETNAM MEMORIAL

I have a sister-in-law who lost her brother in the Vietnam War.  

Burt and I looked up his name in the register book. 

JONES ROBERT MORRIS

We found the panel his name is engraved on.

REFLECTIONS

     Walking through Arlington Cemetery, The Vietnam memorial and other war memorials brought deep emotions to me.  I hurt for our young people and families who give up lives to defend freedom. I honor the courage of those who dedicate their lives to protect us and the dignity of humanity.  

        I remember the days when young men had to register for the draft when they reached 18.  Most of the time military service was mandatory for them.  My children did not grow up in that era, yet 5 of my seven, 2 girls and 3 boys, volunteered for service; three of their spouses did as well.  Only one saw short term front line war.  I felt like evil had invaded our family.  He returned home safely. 

     War is such a sad, invasive part of life through the centuries.  I look forward to the future in which God promises in the Bible that there will be no  more war here on earth. 

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

"He [Jesus] will judge between the nations and settle disputes for many people. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks.  Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore."  (Isaiah 2:4)

From Coast to Coast!!

 AKA THE GEOGRAM WEEKLY...

On Friday morning, Nov. 20 I left PDX to fly 3,235 miles through Atlanta to Regan airport outside of DC and then rode about 5 miles to Alexandria, VA. 

     Son, Burt, and his wife, Jen, gifted me with a ticket to come visit them for Thanksgiving and 12 days of exploring their new turf.  After a dinner of home smoked ribs I was off to bed since early next morning we would start our trek.

     I will present a brief review of our adventures and later blogs give more detail.

Saturday we drove to Great Falls National Park  where the Potomac River flows over impressive 

rocks and rapids.

On to Harpers Ferry National Historical Park in West Virginia.. Jen, Logan, Burt, Gram G... Shenandoah River in background

Town of Harpers Ferry with Shenandoah River

Sunday after church service we drove to Bush Gardens for an evening of Christmas lights and rides (not me).  Devin and Tyler with us.  Logan tried out candied bacon.  

It was good but not $5 good!

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No Gram G visit is complete without a dumpling dinner!!

Monday special!!

Tuesday was rest day...and laundry, walk through 19th century cemetery and banana bread baking.

On Wednesday Gram G got to see the Atlantic Ocean at 

Rehoboth Beach, Delaware

Tyler and Logan had a 5 minute swim

View out my window Thanksgiving Day!!

We had a great feast...but no picture

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Check back soon for stories of these marvelous pictures!

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Come December 2, it was time to say goodbye to Alexandria... until next visit!
            

                                        

REFLECTIONS

     I crossed the country from the west coast to the east coast to enjoy Thanksgiving week with family.  Travel was long but comfortable and safe.  

     Burt and Jen's family moved to Alexandria, Virginia in January.  I know how it feels to move far away and feel isolated.  They were whammied by the virus lockdowns 6 weeks after the boys  

started school. The entire family had no chance to make new friends.  Instead, they enjoyed outdoor adventures...something hard to do back in Wisconsin during the winter and spring months.  

     I was so happy to share their life for a few days and to explore their surroundings.  There is so much American history to see, learn and experience!  And natural beauty! 

    It means a lot to me to be able to visualize my grown children's environments as I think of them through the days at home.  It's fun knowing that "the GeoLou Schmidts" span the country from coast to coast! Connecting in the Midwest! 

    I am thankful for a large spread out family!!

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HOME AGAIN!

IT'S THAT TIME OF YEAR!

GET IT DONE BEFORE THE RAINS SET IN!

SOMETHING SPECIAL THIS YEAR!!

     GREAT GRAND BABY #2 !!

    AUTUMN ROSE MILLER 

      TO ZACH AND VICTORIA  DEC. 9, 2020    

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

"He [the Lord] does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.  For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him, as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us."  (Psalm 103: 10-12)