March Muddle...

      March 25, I enjoyed a day of spring break!  Right here at home!  Spring has surprised us with a day of beautiful warm dry weather sandwiched between soppy spells.  

Tomorrow afternoon they return. 

(Soppy comes from early 19th century English, meaning soaked with water. Like my little front yard. Must have lived in the PNW)   

I lived the great outdoors for over 2 hours today!

My post cataract life is so bright I need shades!

Perfect opportunity to get ahead of weed harvest.

I had tea time in my pre-cleaned up hobbit garden. 

This is a writing prompt...

Tell me about last night's Hobbit/Gnome party...

__________________

Before today, March was a bit subdued.  Recovery from cataract surgery has not been bad, but long and tedious. I was hoping to present the new me with fresh glasses but they haven't arrived yet. 

Driving has been limited so I should have had time at home to get bunches of cleaning done...Not 

____________________

Clouds parted long enough to get a partial look at the lunar eclipse on March 13.  

We have had one or two spring teaser days and the neighborhood bursts with life!!

This is far...

This is near...

First spring tea time!!

Camellia wearing several colors!!

Corned beef dinner in the club house for St. Patty's Day!!  Tasty!!

March 19,  Birthday cake for son Burt in the club house!!  Well, maybe not for him but it is his Bday so I had cake and photo!

I saw this on Facebook...

don't exactly know what it means...

interesting

____________________________

REFLECTIONS   

I worried there wasn't enough news to create a new post for these past few weeks.  Looks like enough transpired.  In between, I try to walk or exercise everyday to keep muscle strength.  Days seem long when home alone and needing to be filled with constructive activities.  It's not that there isn't lots of potential, it's all in the "doing it".  My motivation levels plummet and self discipline needs disciplining.  Keeping contact with you all connects me with the greater world.  I enjoy that!  Thanks for hanging with me!! April has two fun events (trips?) coming up.  You all come back now, you hear. 

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

"And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance, for you serve the Lord Christ."  (Colossians 3:23-24  NKJV) 

Fabulous Fickle February!

 February...short on days!

Long on fabulous, fickle, fun twists!!

Spring flowers

 Snow showers!!

Rosie and her snowlady!!

But no icicles like Wisconsin icicles!!

Back to spring flowers for sale!

___________________

Kahana and I enjoying our annual free Red Robin B-day burgers...

after each spending $4.99!

She knows how to win my heart!!

___________________

Winter is for food...

helping plan the year's "ladies out to lunch" schedule.

February/Valentine soup and salad meal in the club house

__________________

Homemade turkey potpie to help me recover...

From second and final cataract surgery!

Angie caretaking, feeding and playing 

Pokémon Labyrinth with me post surgery

What does one do while recuperating with two almost good eyes?  And it's chilly, rainy?

Why, one starts planning her epic 80th B-day trip 

to the Hobbit Homeland!!

So many choices!  So many decisions!!

(Epic 80th B-day isn't for another year)

Already choice LOTR 2026 tours are full...

Gotta mix in arrangements for a few "in country" flights coming soon. 

And organizing a new project for 2025...

Top secret at the moment!

_________________

I went for a short walk on Sunday,

turned a corner and was greeted with a full rainbow!!

Never saw ALL the colors before...

Good rainbow and/or good cataract surgery! 

Never learned the ROYGBIV

__________________

February 24!...

Gram G's 79th B-day!!

Micaela and Angie came to party with me!

Lunch at Thai Wok...

B-day Labyrinth and Uno!

I lost Labyrinth/won Uno!

B-day mini ice cream bars!

Atmospheric River/Pineapple Express/Winter Rain

Torrential Downpours!

Intermittent all day Sunday and Monday...

I'm learning the meaning and value of "Sun breaks"

Wednesday is forecast to bring warmer, sunny weather! 

_________________

I finished the Maui puzzle I bought there in March, 2023! 

More puzzle fun!

Debbie, Angie and I worked this one during a cold, windy Cannon Beach weekend in Sept, 2021!

____________________

Feb 26...Promise of  PNW Spring! 

REFLECTIONS  

These past 7 weeks have been "free form"! I took a break from regular routine (whatever that is) for the two cataract surgeries and recovery.  People told me there is nothing to it.  I have found it draining and longer recuperation than I thought.  My present and future are looking much brighter, though!

It's been relaxing to have no schedule or any "have to's" other than eye drops.  Seems I won't be able to get new far distance glasses for another three weeks.  

This has been a great time to kick back and  explore "clean out the messes" and new venture options for 2025!

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

"The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God.  They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, proclaiming, 'The Lord is upright; he is my Rock and there is no wickedness in him'."  (Psalm 92:12-15)

January

January sunshine!!  

Already the first month of 2025 has passed!  January sunshine is a rarity in the PNW but we have enjoyed several days this month in Vancouver, Washington.

HOWEVER...south of the Columbia River, sentiments are different...

All reactiocit

They will soon be happy again as rain returned yesterday! 

________________

This start of the new year has had a different flavor for me.  With returning home from the east coast New Year's Eve I had only a few days to adjust to the 3 hour time difference and prepare for my            Grandma G Christmas on Sunday, Jan.5!

The Couve Gang!!

 Later that week Kahana, Saul and Nainoa came for an afternoon visit. I had already taken down the tree but a plant with lights worked nicely! Pomai was still in school.

That left me with two weeks to catch up on laundry, cook extra food, clean up the house...especially the floors... and program our family calendar to get ready to... 

Do The Deed!!

The past two years I have been haunted by the failed attempt to have cataract surgery on my right eye.  I had gone in, ready to have it done, when they sent me home (actually to the emergency room) because of high blood pressure. That shattered my healthy self-image and its been a struggle to regain it.  Now two years and two months later with two cancelations and worsening eyesight, I was again scheduled for the surgery.

This time all went well with the encouragement of my family and Debbie being with me!

Rockin my Hollywood sun glasses!

I am amazed how bright and clear the world looks now.  Out of my right eye.  Only one eye to go...on February 18.

After a couple days with Angie hanging out with me I was ready to loaf around by myself and leisurely finish the family calendar. It runs from February to February and contains over 300 family photos from 2024!  

 I've taken a few weeks to be low key, sleep in, lounge whenever and take walks while the sun shines, though the air is chilly.

It's a great time to work on the Maui puzzle I bought there two years ago!  I need to go again sometime!

When you get a craving...home baked baby back ribs!

A feast for one!!

REFLECTIONS   

The winter months have always been a challenge for me.  Living here in the Pacific Northwest I am somewhat more relaxed, but cold rain is still difficult.  This January has provided an assortment of scenarios and some sunshine so the weeks have passed quickly.  The warmth of friendship and family has kept the chill and gray away!  Yay! 

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

"Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits..."  

(Psalm 103:1-2)