Friday, December 20, 2024

Adventure of the Month!



Adventure of the Month!!  Year?

We are on our way!  Saturday, Dec. 14

Rain clouds mingled with blue sky



Crossing the Astoria bridge!

Onto choppy Pacific waters!

The start of the waves!


Jake, Micaela and I are here to check out 
the King Tides at high tide!
On an incredibly wind gusty, rainy, chilly day!
Rain burst forming over the ocean...
Micaela's hair flying in the wind...
Cape Disappointment lighthouse in background!

On top of cliff overlooking Cape Disappointment  Wind gusts of 27MPH


At Sea Level






She can see quite well...

Standing on a picnic table!!
Blue Sky!!

Sun creating silver waves



Checking out North Head lighthouse.

A moment of quiet serenity...

Sunbathing in Washington State!!



Lunch at the Lost Roo in Long Beach and then heading home.

Back over the 4 mile long Astoria bridge

Peaceful old time rural church along side the highway 

Another wish come true!!
We saw 2 herd of elk in a distant field!
(Computer photo...we didn't get a chance to stop)
There were probably 4 times as many.
That's not a total wish come true cause I didn't shoot any of them.
 (With my camera)


We enjoyed viewing several rainbows on the trip!
one complete one
Sun to the right...black clouds and drenching rain on top of us!!


The king tide dates  
  • November 15–17, 2024
  • December 13–15, 2024
  • January 11–13, 2025
King Tides on the Oregon Coast - Seaside Oregon
King tides are the highest and lowest tides of the year, and they occur when the sun, moon, and Earth align, creating a gravitational pull that raises the ocean water. This results in two bulges in the ocean's surface, one on each side of the Earth. 
The term "king tide" was borrowed from Australia, and in the mid-2000s, it was used to launch a campaign to monitor sea level rise along the American west coast. The king tides are a dramatic display of nature's power, with massive waves and surging waters.

REFLECTIONS    

I've been aware of the King Tides for several years and became fascinated a few years back.  This  year  Jake and Micaela were interested and available to take me to the coast to view them. I had a very enjoyable day hanging out with them and talking with them!   It was a desire come true!

_____________________

'Tis the season of Christmas prep!

I sent out cards 

Got my personal back deck Christmas display

Gram G Christmas Tree  2024


Rainbow eucalyptus plant in my front yard


Neighborhood holly berries!!
PNW...land of the Holly and the Ivy

Rest of my prep has been a bit different this year!

Coming soon

Gram G's Twelve Days of Christmas!!

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


A  Blessed Merry Christmas to All!

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end." (Isaiah 9:6-7)

Saturday, December 7, 2024

November Adventures!



   November brought a plethora of  adventures...
 Still plenty of autumn color!!

Turning to Christmas red and green!


First days of November started out in San Diego,
celebrating Gerry's Birthday
 And enjoying Bigfoot meatloaf



High above Oregon
Viewing the Crater Lake celestial pumpkin pie!


____________________

 A few days after returning home I enjoyed an alphabet soup meal and visit with Kahana's family!
Gram G with Nainoa and Pomai




Over the years I've heard of getting one's air ducts cleaned...in the house that is. Never decided if it was necessary. The internal air has seemed dry, dusty and irritating.  I found a promotion for duct cleaning so had it done.  Interesting to watch.  The air does seem fresher.  Glad I had it done!! 




Mid month brought the full, large and lovely Hunter moon over Vancouver.  



An annual challenge rolled around again.  
The Great American Song Writing Contest!
Last spring I gave up on the dream of my song getting any notice.  I tried to wow the judges 3 consecutive years and was  discouraged by almost being good enough.  I was done.  Besides, my small home recording equipment wasn't working properly
BUT...something drives me on when I think there is an achievable goal.  This summer I changed a section and  recorded it by phone video.  Still wasn't going to enter again....But...the day before the deadline I had the urge to try one more time.  Problem! I needed to figure out how to convert a phone video into a MP3 file. Got it submitted at 11:59PM on final day!  Now it's waiting time until March to see what develops.    

Got Thanksgiving cards sent out to all my favorite turkey families!


November brings all weather transitions into one moment of time!
Where's Gram G???

OH!  There she is!!
Thanksgiving pot luck here at Creekside
All the busyness and activities of the holiday season!
Let the games begin!

I was graced with a visit from Kim and Joe Kronberger from San Diego! 
 They came up to share Thanksgiving with her sister who has lived here in Vancouver for over 20 years.  Since Kim and Joe grew up with my kids in Park Falls, WI we had a fun time reliving simpler days in the home country. 


A lovely bouquet from Kim and Joe!


Time to harvest and process those fall decorative pumpkins! 


Roasted seeds!
A favorite of the Miller family! 



And then it's time for 
THANKSGIVING at the Millers!

Angie's first turkey carving experience!
Well done!!

Miller Family

Keys, Zach, Jake, Debbie, Angie, Micaela, Gracie


It's become my tradition to sleep over
 Thanksgiving night.
Jake let me beat him at Labyrinth


Saturday evening, last day of November
A walk around the Zoo with the Millers to view Christmas lights!







Just cause he's so good looking!

First grandchild...Zach
First great grandchild...Rosie


REFLECTIONS  
November is a baffling month.  Daylight gets shorter everyday, the temperatures vary from 70 to 20, rain returns, trees explode with color and then lose their leaves, the year is getting old yet busyness and excitement (or dismay) grows for the holiday season.  
I'm grateful for this blog post because the pictures are proof to me that my November was very productive and satisfying.  My memory would have told me it was boring and not remarkable.

This has been a good 3 plus GeoGram weeks in the life of Gram G.

"It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to your name, Oh Most High; to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night."  Psalm 92:1-2