May Memories...

May has brought a myriad of life's scenarios.

(Rhododendrons abound in spring!

It's been 4 weeks since I last blogged because I have been busy living life. One main focus has taken my attention, but here's a few things that went on in Vancouver before that.

My garage storage of junk finally overwhelmed me.  Having come across an ad for a junk hauling service...the best in VC...I decided to take advantage of them.

They came and in about an hour left with a fourth full load of Geo's junk... 

Now to organize retained junk and seasonal decorations so that I don't need that service ever again! 

I'm redecorating my back deck into a tropical oasis.  That's nice because I can see it from inside the house.

All set for summer relaxing and company.

Carole and I finally enjoyed a Thai lunch for her B-day gift 16 months ago!

Also had a tea visit with a friend I haven't connected with for 18 months because of the virus.  So nice to have life open up again.

Caught my first predawn full moon one 4AM.  Nice to see but I'd rather be sleeping...

Great granddaughter, Autumn came for an afternoon visit...

May 4 my loyal airport transport took me to board a plane for Indianapolis. This trip was bitter-sweet.

My sister, Rose, has been diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer which has metastasized. She is 86 and her husband Frank is 88.

She is in hospice.  I was able to visit her almost everyday for the 8 days I was home.  It made her happy to know I was enjoying visiting with all the family.

A few highlights

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An overnight visit with brother John and wife, Susie.  John has taken on responsibility for coordinating Rose and Frank's care.  

Nick made his signature stuffed peppers for us. 

Betsy, Kate and Gram G visiting our oldest sister, Joan, who resides in assisted living

 in Nashville, IN

A reassuring rainbow

to go along with the storm cloud...

 I got invited to Jim and Stephanie's Mother's Day cookout...part of the Jarosinski Clan 

They let me win a long game of Catan...and blamed the length on me

One can't visit Indy and not enjoy a "White Castle" or 2.  Indulging with Kate, Vicki and sister, Paula.

The great German hall in the Rathskeller restaurant downtown. 

German cuisine with Stephanie, Kate and Betsy

I had the sauerbraten...spicy and tender

Steph took us for a couple whirls around the Circle.

I remember riding the city bus there to go to the Circle Theater.  Great Fun

 Great view of the Indianapolis skyline...leaving for my return to Vancouver.



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Upon returning home...

Finally got a Mother's Day card designed personally for me!!

 

Thanks, Bill, Amanda and Berklee!!

Our little finches are back.  Lovely, loud song birds

I tried one of the latest offerings...home grocery delivery.  The store offered a $20 discount and free delivery.  Worked pretty well.  A few items weren't what I expected.   Fun to try, to save $20.

I spent a few hours at the Vancouver Waterfront with Zach, Victoria and baby Autumn

Cruise ship on Columbia River passing through the open "railroad" bridge with train stopped

 I'm getting back into church life and playing piano on Mondays for the homeless outreach.  Also working up final touches on a few new Christian songs that the Lord gave me this past year.

To fill up my time I am going bonkers giving my house a refreshing for summer visitors.  Great fun, but also a bit stressful.  Ya all come to visit! 

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REFLECTIONS...

    I went to Indianapolis to visit my sister, Rosie, who has recently been diagnosed with 4th stage metastasized lung cancer.  It is a difficult time since she is the first of 6 sisters to pass on.  There are also 2 living brothers.  We are all over 70 years.

    I didn't grow up with my family but I do recall the occasions during short times at home of staying overnight at Frank and Rose's and how safe and secure I felt.  

   They were the caretakers of mom and our family for any concerns.  They also helped others who were in need. 

    They had no children and are the world to each other.  It is sad to see the sickness of Rosie and the turmoil Frank is going through.

    I am grateful for this recent visit and time with them and the rest of the family.  I am glad I had the chance to tell Rosie what those times with her meant to me and to thank her.  

    It is sobering to realize we siblings are all in our last quarter of life here on earth. I am grateful to know there is a God who loves us and we will meet up with each other again in a better life that will last forever!

This has been a good 4 Geogram weeks in the life of Gram G.

"Jesus said to her, 'I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die.' "  (John 11:12)

Spring Green...

 Spring is here and Gram G's grass is green and yummy!!  Bunny leaves his little droppings in return.

I've started calling him "Dinner".  My dinner...

April started me off flying high...no fooling

Now, where is she going?

Saying goodbye to Mt. St. Helen's and the Columbia River

Stopover at Denver International airport....

Finally landing in Salt Lake City for the Easter weekend...

It's a few days to check out Jake's school and mosey around SLC.  But first....

Friday evening pizza time...

hope the 7 of us get enough to eat... 

Keys, Debbie, Micaela, Zeek, Jake and Gram G enjoying time together

though Mic got the back, back seat...

When in Salt Lake City one checks out the Great Salt Lake!

One of 8-15 islands (You figure that one out)  Probably Antelope Island

Some of the salt basins

Some of the mountains surrounding the area

And rocks...

Info says it averages 2,122 square miles  and contains 28 million acre feet of salt water at 4210 ft. elevation.  

 I am now interested in more research some day.

Boaters enjoy the lake

Zeek escorting Gram G down the slippery rocks

Manure stinky "beaches"

Scenic lone bush on the prairie 

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Jake is playing LaCrosse for Westminster College in Salt Lake City.  

We took a stroll around the campus

Watched a bit of his practice...

I even had a sit and chat with  Aunt Em...

She smiled but didn't have anything to say...

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We checked out the Mormon Temple

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Took a drive to Park City ski resort...

lovely mountains along the way...

7,000 ft.   

                                                                                    

The locals were beary friendly....

I even embraced a bit of snow...

3 February B-day ladies...

And 1 Native American

Time to leave SLC after the plane gets de-iced

A lovely flyover the grand canyon on the way to Portland via Phoenix

 

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I've been home for 3 weeks.  It seems I don't have much to show for the time.

BUT...

     I did make a pan of twice baked potatoes.  Ate one and froze the rest.  Since then I've microwaved 

defrosted and heated a couple.  Works great and yummy.

Also got cleaning on my mind for family coming to visit in late June...and cause my rugs haven't been cleaned well since I got here.  Cleaning fever is a dangerous time for me.  I believe in no dirt left behind.  Don't know when to say enough now...

Well, that's getting easier as my energy levels drop quickly these days.  But my house stays in various degrees of disarray through all the weeks involved.

With the aid of the new flooring workers...they moved the table out of the way for me. (more on the new flooring later) and 3 cans of Woolite Rug shampoo I cleaned this reversible rug.

REFLECTIONS

     I have had this braided rug for probably over 40 years. I bought it mostly for and from nostalgia. When I was 6-9 years old and lived with the Sperry family they had one like this, only in brown tones.     

     I remember the fun of running around it like on a race track.  It was in their living room, the center of a cozy space with a large fireplace and huge built-in bookcases, sturdy country furniture and family activities. 

    This blue braided rug brings back secure, loving memories of early childhood.  It graced a section of our large living room in Park Falls for over 30 years, giving me a sense of stability and roots.  It was essential I move it out here with me to continue that legacy.  

    I am amazed it has endured for so long.  It is intact, though I 'm sure a few millimeters thinner than at the start.  I do remember sewing up a small split between a couple braids at some time in the past.

    I hope the rug brings up loving, happy, silly, family memories, even though there were not nice ones as well.  I hope it brings back feelings of  their mom's love and devotion to them.   

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

"Those who trust in the Lord are like Mt. Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people both now and forever more."

(Psalm 125:1-2)