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 ne ..read more

Sunrise over Mt Hood (Zach's photo) Wednesday, Oct. 30, I left cloudy Vancouver... Flew over patchwork fields of PNW... Over miles and miles of arid desert... Past the Coronado Bridge... To sunny skies... For a 5 day visit with the Oceanside Schmidts!! Jude, Gemma, Julianna, Debbie, Gerry Took in a California Halloween... And sunset! Friday, Nov. 1, enjoyed Birthday lunch with my first born son! Saturday, B-day party time!! Cookie baking with Gemma's friend, Cole! Park Falls, WI expats, plus one... Bill, Joe and Kim Kronberger, Gram G, Gerry and Berklee, a Cali born darl ..read more

Saturday, Oct 19, I went for a 2 mile walk around our neighborhood, soaking in the fall colors! And reflecting on the enjoyable past few weeks. I went from brilliant autumn rust and orange,  to summer pink rose, to Christmas holly berry red and green... _________________________ But, to back up a bit! Mikaela and I enjoyed outside lunch at the  Hidden Bay Cafe along the Columbia River early October.  Love the sail boats, blue sky, water, and low flying planes in and out of PDX.  Food was good too. Best was chatting with Mikaela!! ______________________ Tu ..read more

Mid July our garden club made a trip to an alpaca farm and gardens in Hillsboro south of Portland Crossing the double level Fremont Bridge Honk your horn and don't breathe!! The gardens didn't exist, but the alpaca did!! The owner of the herd said that alpacas are pack animals and are stressed unless they are in a group of three or more. My pack! PNW Alpaca guy... "You all come back now...ya hear!! _____________________________ Time for the homemade weed killer once again!! I've heard the name of this weed but I don't remember it and can't find it online. It is the ..read more

HAPPY MIDSUMMER!! I started this post on July 2.  This year of 2024 is officially waning!   What does one, me precisely, do when there is now time to do those things that one didn't have time to do up till now?  But actually doing them is rather boring and annoying?   I have before me 8-10 weeks to dig in my heels and get some things accomplished, yet by evening the day seems too long and my brain wants to happily go blank. Oh, to be out adventuring on an airplane or having my kids and grandkids entertain me!   I went for a 2 mile walk this morning ..read more

First Gram G roses of the season! It's about time!!  June 2, the wait is over!  Not since early February has dumplings been served at Gram G's! Little grandson, Jake, helping Gram G make dumplings for his Birthday!! ____________________ June 4...WHERE is Gram G??? She showed up in Wauwatosa, WI!! Blew in from the West...kind of like Mary Poppins FOR... Olivia's high school graduation!! pre-graduation older generation family get together Chuck, Burt, Brian, Angie, Uncle Joe, Anna, Gram G Mama and three of her babies! When you don't want your picture taken Gra ..read more

Springtime has been very family active for me! Early April, along with viewing the total solar eclipse in Indianapolis,  I enjoyed visiting my family! A drive to West Lafayette, IN to visit my foster sisters!  Sister Kate and me with Susie and Becky  Kate and me with Stephanie and  great nephew Ray who attends Perdue University Kate and me with brother John Kate and me with sister, Paula Kate and me with sister Betsy and three nieces! Sadly, Betsy's husband, Lynn, passed on a few days after my visit.  Happily, I was able to enjoy his company twice while ther ..read more

  On Thursday, April 18, six of us ladies of the Creeekside Garden club went to enjoy the Wooden Shoe tulip festival near Woodburn, Oregon.    I had heard of available tethered balloon rides and was hoping to experience one.  However the day was quite windy, too windy for the balloons to be safe.  (Web page photo) BUT.... not too windy for... When pigs fly! ...And other creatures It was a magnificent day for KITES! Kite clubs have  great fun!! Beyond your average tulip... Fresh Tulip in a  wooden shoe! A lit ..read more

I've anticipated this epic event since the last partial Vancouver, WA eclipse in August, 2017!  A total solar eclipse Monday, April 8 at 3PM, passing through Indianapolis...  AND  hanging out with my family!!  Woo!  Woo!  Full March worm moon over the Cuv! (Opening event) Flying East on Tuesday, April 2! (Facebook photo) WELL!! Let's take a closer look! Official observers!! Stephanie, Catherine, Ray Moon taking bites out of the sun!! (Nick's photos) Growing Dim  Stars showing Porch lights coming on ..read more

 IT MUST BE A COSMIC DATE!! 02/24/24 GRAM G'S BIRTHDAY!! It all started a number of years ago...well, lets skip a number of years... Angie treating me to lunch and nails! A Bday surprise hint from Amanda and Amazon! Goodbye Mt. Hood! Hello San Diego!! Ye ol' orange picker, Bill! Fresh from the tree, oranges for breakfast! Heading to the Old Globe theater in Balboa Park Bday surprise...Play of Age of Innocence Birthday dinner at Parc Bistro-Brasserie French restaurant downtown San Diego! Amanda, Bill, Gerry, Jake, Jude, Berklee, Debbie May, Gram G, Debbie Rose Escargo ..read more