Monday, June 29, 2026

Midwest Tour...Part 1

AKA...Going Back East...as it is called here in PNW

Thursday, May 28 I boarded a plane for a 24 day adventure "back home".  "Indiana Schmidt" they call me! First encounter, Indianapolis...

Friday evening...LOTR Uno with my hobbit family!!

Saturday college grad party for great nephew Ray from Purdue University! Dad Ray and Mom Stephanie 

Sunday 90th B-day party for sister Paula!!

Siblings...Betty, John, Paula, Kate, Georgia

Monday visiting sister-in-law Sandy,
Kate learning to play Labyrinth..
Tuesday meal at John's happy place...Golden Corral...with wife Susie 
Several hours of hobbit Dominos...No cheating or I'll haunt you!

Wednesday...more hobbit sisters!

Most senior family hobbit...Paula!
90 years of age and studying Hieroglyphics! 

Evening meal of hats, loud noises and good ribs!


Thursday, cave day!  Marengo Cave mid-south Indiana, near Kentucky
I wasn't going to buy a sweatshirt...but I caved in. 


Trusted driver and fond nephew, Jim
Fish stalactites?

OR, fossilized dino??
Mummy who???
Totem pole or giant spine??

Friday...Strawberry Festival!!
Family tradition!!

Saturday, June 6...Flixbus from Indianapolis, thru Chicago to Milwaukee.
A good experience...just as quick as flying, cheaper and quieter!!


REFLECTIONS
This first week of travel was "back home in Indiana" with my family.  I was comforted to hang out with them and take part of their celebrations! My siblings and I are in our "autumn years". Each visit with them is precious. I didn't grow up with them so each opportunity to bond is like gold charms in my heart! See you again soon! Love ya!

This has been a good 5 GeoGram weeks in the life of Gram G.

"This is my commandment, that you love one another as I [Jesus] have loved you." (John15:12)

Tuesday, May 26, 2026

When the Party's Over!




It was indeed a day to remember!


But that was three months ago!  Since then I was sick with sinus virus for six weeks, charged $4,000 for repairs on my 2005 vehicle, another $1,400 for new permanent bridge on lower back jaw that has plagued me for almost three years, got dropped by my house insurance company, fought against internet outages while today stressfully applied for a new service, made war against the myriads of weeds and moss that invade the PNW, and am currently eliminating dozens of uninvited ants in my kitchen!     
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Time for styling the pom-pom tree thru 
Geo.treetrimming services


 Jake beautifying the bases 

Fresh, lovely front yard!

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"Seek and you will find"
You probably think this picture is about Cinco de Mayo...it is not.


My older sister, Rosie, had gifted necklaces of a small diamond, set in thick round gold to us five sisters several years ago. She commented that we will probably put them away somewhere and not wear them.  That was mostly true on my part, only wearing it for special occasions.  When she passed four years ago I wanted to wear it to her service.  I could not find it.  I searched the small container I thought I had put it, then though my jewelry box, then in various clothes drawers where I may have stashed it for safe keeping. Nothing.  Over the years I have gone back to those drawers hoping to find it but started to think it was stolen. Recently I went on that search again. No necklace. Then came our community Cinco De Mayo pot luck and I needed large, colorful jewelry. Spotting the perfect blue rectangle stone necklace and earrings stored in a plastic sandwich bag, I shook them out onto my bed. But wait!  What is that small item tangled up along the chain??? Why, its a small diamond set in thick round gold! When did I squirrel it away in there?  Yay!!  It is now in a safe, accessible spot for when I want to wear it.  I think.      

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I attend an online writing class.  Recently they talked about how does one relax when needing a break from tension.  People responded with "walking, hot tub, chocolate, stretching, etc".  I didn't know at the moment but then today I made a pot of chicken vegetable soup, cooked potatoes and eggs for salad and baked a carrot cake.  Then I knew!  Cooking is very relaxing for me. It is something I enjoy. Aunt Emma started teaching me at 10 years old. AND, I like my cooking.😊

Midwest pot roast with veggies to sooth and energize!



Trying something new...they look pretty on my new deck! 
Strawberries!


First Zachary roses of the season...
Grandson Zach dug through the rocks to plant the small bush for me many years ago!
Thanks, Zachman!

" Rhodi" season!!


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REFLECTIONS
It's been six weeks since I posted! There have been so many major and petty issues these past days that I found it hard to concentrate on any one activity. I also rediscovered the law of "inertia"...a body at rest remains at rest until acted upon by an outside force!  Guess what that body is. Only now it is an "inside" force that makes it "unrest". 
The Birthday party might be over but one has to end so another can begin! Hmmmm...check back in a few weeks to find out!

 This has been a good 6 Geogram weeks in the life of Gram G!

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened."  (Matthew 7: 7-8)

Tuesday, April 14, 2026

Awesome April!

Already April has proven Blog worthy! 

Exciting to view our return to flight around the moon!  Not since 1972! 

To the MOON and back!






Meanwhile, here on earth...
When you have leftover mashed potatoes and you  crave sour cream! Mashed potato pancakes!


Easter brings remembrance of Jesus' resurrection with cards of blessings to family!


Playing with fire and our food!  
Our ladies' lunch to Kyoto Japanese steak house!







I went walking on a sunny day and realized how blessed I am to live here.  I literally live in a park!  A quiet, lovely oasis from the traffic and busyness of life. I thank our Lord for all the beauty. 




The largest carpet of violets I've ever seen!

Thanks, Jake, for cleaning up under the Japanese Maple!

You earned a dumpling dinner for one...plus Gram G!




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IT is finally here!  What you have been waiting for these past several months!!  Gram G's life story continues!!!  Check out Chapter 16 in the top tabs! 

REFLECTIONS 
I am finally feeling well after 6 weeks of sickness. These early weeks of April have picked up the pace of living once more!  My house is yelling for cleaning but that will wait. Our weather is a constant mixture of sunny and chilly, rainy days. It's been exciting to watch the moon launch and the astronauts' safe return. I simply enjoy feeling "normal" and getting a few goals accomplished. 

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

"When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? You have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor." (Psalm 8: 3-6)