A Schmidt Gathering.....Post Views.....30,737

Saturday, March 11, was Rose's "Celebration of Life". She was 104 years old.

Here is a picture on her 100th B-day with son, Louie, and our 7 children in Park Falls, WI

Gerry, Bill, Lou, Angie, Burt,
Gram Rose, Debbie, Chuck, Al 



Debbie could not attend...the other 6 were there...(My Babies...)

Autumn stood in for Aunt Debbie

Come on, guys and gals, put some thought into this...

Angie, I said Thought.....

           "Gerry-Bear"  with Gramma Rose.
She dubbed him Gerry Bear when he was crawling; he always crawled backwards and would look behind to see where he was going.  "He looks just like a bear cub". "Bear" has stuck to this day.  

 Rose's youngest son, Joe, and Bear in driveway of the farm...the original barn from early 1900's in the background....

A Plethora of GeoLou Schmidt gathering pictures...

Younger grand kids visiting Papa Lou at home...

(9 of 19....left girl in blue is extended #20)

Full moon overlooking a partially froze Flambeau River

Outside of Burt's and Jen's cabin...

Inside the bunkhouse...life is good...

Extended family bonding...

California little Berklee with
Wauwatosa Charlie's angels
Emilia, Louisa and Olivia 

Eddy showing Uncle Bill how tough he is

Gerry with Jen and her older sons, Devin and Josh...
Could be sisters, Cali Amanda and Chuck's wife, Anna...

Meanwhile second son, Cory, is enjoying tin cans on Tincan mountain, Alaska 

A Mannequin Challenge....they say...

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     Meanwhile back in the PNW, Wednesday to Wednesday has happened again for Gram G.     

          It seems one can "keep hanging in there" for a long time while one's life challenges one.  Then comes a day when, though, many challenges remain, a few suddenly resolve themselves or at least pass through to calmer ground. 

      Today, Wednesday, was one such day. I awoke to another rainy day. (Rain totals for March have already rose beyond "normals" for the entire month of March.)  My mind was on getting to the dentist by 9:30 through rain and wind and foggy brain.  Fortunately none was overwhelming. My crown, tooth not royalty, went on with minimum numbing and effort. After, I had a pleasant discussion with my dentist. That put me in a happy mood.

    Next it was on to the mall since it was a block away.  I had a couple JC Penny's coupons in my purse.  I've been looking for a new robe for a reasonable price.  I found one.  Good price.     
So...Gram G paid $73.44? $11.77? $1.05? $24.30?
    
    It was still raining when I got home but that didn't stop me from getting an important letter in the mail.  One of those challenges resolving itself.  
 
  I also was officially registered in the "Oregon Christian Writers" writing contest!  Yeah! It took me a long time last evening to figure out how to register and submit my piece.  I had overlooked the important part of submitting my writing during the register process and I didn't know how to go back.  Finally figured out something and then this morning received confirmation that all had been received.  All 250 words that I had written.  That may not sound like much but to me
it reflects Neil Armstrong's statement, "One small step for man;one giant leap for mankind."  In this case, for woman. 

     I heard about the contest last year about this time and decided that this year I would submit something. A year goes by very fast. I already knew what category I would do. A year goes by very fast. I had many ideas written down, but not narrowed down.  A year goes by very fast.  A good topic popped into my head awhile back and I wrote it down.  But it needs to be perfect.  A perfect 250 words.  Time goes by very fast.  Suddenly it is contest time. It needs to be perfect. How does one know when one's writing is perfect? To me, mine will never be perfect so I need to simply send it in before I don't and the deadline has passed. Better to be imperfect and submitted than perfect and not submitted. Just having submitted it is a huge victory for me.  Yeah!!
     The prize you ask?  Well,there isn't one.  Winners get to wear a ribbon during the writers' conference if one chooses to go. There are, however, top authors there to notice you and perhaps give a helping hand in getting on with a writing career.  Yeah!

     Weaving in and out of my days are the PT exercises for my neck and shoulder, besides walking and water aerobics.  Keeps me moving 1-2 hours everyday.  Now to counter balance that with an extra hour or two of sleep.  Ahhh.....

Friday, March 10 was a mild, sunny day interrupting the many, many rainy days this year.
Time for first walk to 4th Plaine in 2017.  Makes for about a 2 mile walk to enjoy the start of spring.    
     

Hints of pink plum blossoms....Soon..
a totally pink avenue


The blending of clouds and snow on distant mountains; spring water flow in Burnt Bridge Creek

This has been a good 7 "Schmidt gathering" days in the life of Grandma G.

"Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.  Give her the reward she has earned."
(Proverbs 31: 30 & 31)

The End of An Era....Post Views...30,264

           On March 4, at 104 years old,  Grandma Rose, Lou's mom, passed on to eternal life.  She was a life long resident of Park Falls, WI.  Raised 8 children, nurtured several grand and great grandchildren and was a friend to numerous folks.
    She came often to our home on short notice to help out or to give me a break while I visited Indianapolis.  Our 7 children were privileged to interact with her for many years.  She taught me how to make the famous dumplings and sour gravy meal that so many enjoy.      

We will miss you, 
Grandma Rose!!








Here's a little something to honor Gram Rose and Wisconsin.   
How I remember enjoying those Friday night fish fries!
Until I discovered my terrible Saturday headaches came from that delicious fish consumed on Friday night....
Wisconsin Historical Society

Fish Fry Fridays, 1997-2010

Enlarge

In Wisconsin, Friday fish fry dinners are a ubiquitous tradition. Aficionados are always looking for new venues. Why are Wisconsin fish fry events emblematic? Early German Catholic settlers in Wisconsin made use of the region's abundant supply of fish because they were prohibited from eating meat on Fridays. Over the decades, local cooks across the state experimented with making a simple menu uniquely their own.

Today a typical fish fry menu consists of beer-battered fried perch, bluegill, walleye or catfish, or cod brought in from the East Coast. The fish is served with tartar sauce, French fries or German-style potato pancakes, coleslaw, and rye bread.

Jim and Shirley Widmer once traveled 235 miles to go to a fish fry. Their journeys have led them to diners, bars, country clubs, veterans’ organizations and churches all over Wisconsin. During the course of their 13-year adventure, the Widmers experienced more than 450 unique fish fry events in Wisconsin....

From a friend submitted on FaceBook
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       Another week has passed! They say time goes faster as one gets on in years.  I must be getting on in years.  The weeks seem like they are reduced to 3 days rather than 7.  I will back up to let you know that I have been occupied, though not with blogging.

           
      Wednesday March 1, I finally got back to the dentist to get a crown prep on a tooth that has been postponed several times because of sicknesses or scheduling.  
      It was a 2 hour session.  It's start was not as traumatic as I thought it would be, but it seemed to go on forever and I needed additional shots of freezing.  The dentist was kind to me, even giving me a hot pack for the back of my neck and a pillow.   
      When I got home I sat awhile and enjoyed some hot butternut

squash soup and ice cream with chocolate while watching the first of The Lord of the Rings.  Soon a nap took over and for the next 2 hours I occasionally heard the movie in the background while in my sleep I could picture what was happening.  A big post dental smile!!
     With the excuse that I was tired from the recent PT exercises, the large dose of anesthetic, the stress of the dental procedure and general body shivers I simply gave myself permission to take the day off from exercise and to chill out for the rest of the day.  
     Sure felt good, but now tomorrow I have to get back into schedule.   
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Thursday morning's weather forecast and that of the next several days looks like it's in the wrong time zone!  What are all those snowflakes doing in March in the PNW??



Anyone know what this is?  It was at a local resale shop. My Aunt Emma used one quite often about 60 years ago.....
It is a mangle.  All our sheets and pillowcases needed to be run through this before they could go back on the beds.  I think almost everything wearable was wrung through this giant roller....I don't think I ever operated it, but don't remember.  

Who knows what stones these are?   I didn't.  Didn't even know there was such a stone.....kinda a light emerald green.  
They are Gala stone from compressed Mt. St. Helen's ash from the eruption in 1980....
Shows we can still be beautiful, though we might feel like ashes under great pressure!!

Friday evening I got to hang out with great grand daughter, Rosie (Grandma Rose's name lives on).
Dinner with the Miller gang and extended family.



 Saturday after water aerobics and with very rainy weather I thought it was time to start sorting boxes that have sat in closets for the past 4&1/2 years.  This one contains several filled albums, many not started albums, a box of pictures and misc. frames.   

Came across a photo of a Christmas photo from 48 years ago.

Debbie (just turned 50) and 
baby Gerry.....

Precious pictures....



'Tis the season for movies.

Sunday, Debbie treated Carole and me to view LaLa Land.  
After, we agreed that the menfolk would not have enjoyed it.  The girls' afternoon was fun, sitting in the parlor room at the theater, eating our lunch while in LaLa Land.... 

     Monday passed quickly with 2 hours physical therapy, followed by 2 hours of grocery shopping therapy (trying to figure best sale buys to spend $50 in order to use a $10 off coupon). I tried SO hard to come as close to $50 and not more, but somehow ended up with close to $60.  Came home with a bunch of Safeway Monopoly cards!  
      The evening passed with 4 hours attending a ladies' (and men's)
Aglow meal and meeting not too far from my home.  Busy day....

     Tuesday I went to the movie The Shack with ladies from my neighborhood.  I wasn't sure about going but had heard many good reports about the book and the movie.  It is a difficult subject, but the resolution was wonderfully presented.  Great movie. The story takes place here in the PNW.  It was odd to see scenery of Maltnomah Falls and the highway near there, now that I have been there several times.  

     And now it is Wednesday, March 8.  Chiropractor appointment to go along with my back and shoulder redo.  

 How to chill out on a chilly afternoon....

Watch a "far out" fantasy on Star Trek while sorting out the winning Monopoly pieces....
Ahhhh....Life doesn't get much better....add a little chicken and mashed potatoes ...

 This has been a good 7 "end of an era" days in the life of Grandma G.

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me [Jesus]...to comfort all who mourn, to provide for those who grieve in Zion---to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair."  (Isaiah 61: 1 & 3)

Got My Back Up Against A Wall....Post Views....29,998

      Friday was my 71st B-day.  Granddaughters, Micaela and Angie took me out for B-day dinner at Olive Garden.  
While they enjoyed bread sticks and soups, I had my favorite....chicken scampi.  Yum!

A surprise delivery of a B-day gift from San Diego.  The game of Labyrinth.  We played it at Bill and Amanda's and they observed my enthusiasm.  Now I need to find folks to play it with me....Fun..


Earlier in the day a few of us ladies visited at the club house for Friday coffee.  

I brought over my souvenir  cup from the Orchas Hotel in the San Juan Islands where Nancy, Jo and I had spent a few days for my B-day last year.

Feb. 24, 2016

Such fun!  Now on to the adventures of 2017.....





Such as...getting physical, getting my back up against a wall....literally.  

    The next 6 weeks will be exercise intensive. 
Having started physical therapy for a slouching back, stiff neck and painful right shoulder the trainer has me doing a set of exercises 3 times a day and standing straight against a wall for a minute several times throughout the day.  I'm doing an hour to 90 minute session with her once a week.....hot compresses, massages, exercises, nerve stimulation and cold packs with a tingle.  Oh yah.... at each session she will add another 3 exercises to the list.  Oh yah.....
    Hopefully all this will strengthen muscles to keep spine bones in place and loosen up the tension in the right shoulder.  Lots of work now but hopefully will give me great posture,strong muscles and healthy bones as the years go by.  It is all quite tiring and a bit painful for the present.  


Sat. was a great physical day.  I got myself to water aerobics for a 40 minute workout, followed by the PT exercises.  The afternoon turned sunny, though a bit chilly.

 
Refreshing view of green grass, budding trees,small pond and snow on the distant mountains....


Great time for a 2+ mile walk......

Gram G slept well that night!

 Meanwhile back in southern WI the WI Schmidts enjoy a belated Christmas gathering.....
        
10 grand kids plus one extra minus 9 missing.   Looking good, guys!  Love ya!!
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Sunday afternoon we enjoyed a sudden, brief hail shower...
For dinner, Kahana picked me up for "a little taste of the nations" at her church.  We had little samples of foods from various countries which we ate with little spoons.  We didn't eat the countries, just the food.  Packer backers show up all over the country.  

Kahana and fiance, Saul, with stars in the heavens for them....
wedding in June....
Congratulations Kahana and Saul!!



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      So, on a chilly, rainy Monday it was back to physical therapy for 90 minutes, a nap in the afternoon, more exercises interspersed with Star Trek Voyager episodes I hadn't seen before.   

      Tuesday boasted water aerobics, exercises, several stands at the wall, a drive to Freddy's during a "sun break" from the rain and catching up on the blog.

    But all is not physical labor.  Plans are being drafted for a trip to Wisconsin and then family reunion here in the PNW in July.  Yeah!! 

This has been a good 4 "back against a wall" days in the life of Grandma G.  

"Therefore strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. 'Make level paths for your feet,' so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed."  
(Hebrews 12:12)