This week was busy for some good reasons and some bad. Good: My mom was in town from Phoenix to visit! We showed her around the Doug Fir, Jupiter Hotel, Saint Cupcake, various bakeries and more. She got to meet Rocky and try Joey’s famous Pumpkin Ale. And in bad news, my beloved grandpa was in the hospital. More on that later.
Awhile back, I mentioned that I would try to show more photos of Wolfgang Manor. House renovations / modifications have been slower than expected but with a few more updates, my bedroom will be complete. A new overhead light, headboard and a few smaller things and it will be done. And, then I can give you a legit tour instead of mysterious little snapshots!
This week, Mama Nubs was in town! We’ve come a long way, baby! Above: 2010 and 1982, respectively. We had lunches, dinners, shopping excursions, coffee runs, cleaning marathons (on her part, not mine!) and it was good to catch up on my home turf. She actually grew up in S.E. Portland as well so it was fun to hear all of her stories. At least our next visit isn’t too far off since I spend some time in December with her every year.
I made sure that Mama Nubs got to try Saint Cupcake, my all-time favorite. I’d devoured two vanilla cupcakes with vanilla frosting by the end of the night. Oops!
We also did some walking through the Hawthorne / Belmont neighborhoods.
So, here’s a heartwarming story.
Over the weekend, my 83 year old grandpa was rushed to the hospital with a blood clot on his brain. We were so worried and visited the emergency room at OHSU that night. Amazingly, he was totally coherent. He just wanted to get in his truck and go home! See, my grandpa (everyone calls him Sharkey!) isn’t any ordinary grandpa. He’d never had to stay in a hospital ever. He didn’t understand why he had to stay — he’s used to being up in the mountains, chopping wood and drinking beer!
The prognosis didn’t sound good — any surgery near the brain is inherently dangerous. And, even more so at his age. We worried the days away, visiting him almost every night after work. The whole time, I just kept thinking, “This can’t be it. He has so much life left in him!” This is a guy who doesn’t have a cane or glasses. Who seems to have less wrinkles than my dad. He’s Super Grandpa. Just last year, we were in Reno celebrating my grandparent’s 60th wedding anniversary (!!!) and while I was sound asleep by 10 pm, they were up drinking and gambling till 2 am! I can’t seem to keep up with them.
Anyway, he had surgery on Tuesday. He made it through and by the evening, he was awake and asking for me and my brother. So, I get to the hospital and he’s sitting in bed, watching a baseball game, eating a huge dinner and drinking a beer! And, my grandma is talking to us and forgetting things and he’s correcting her! I have no idea how any of this was possible but it really is a miracle. When he’s rested, I think it’s time for another Reno trip — a little gambling with the grandparents for old time’s sake!
Above are a few of my favorite snapshots with Sharkey. He only owns cowboy boots. In his free time, he enjoys sitting in his cabin, having a drink and listening to his 8-track collection. Favorites include Merle Haggard and Johnny Cash.
We are so happy that he’s back to feeling like his (young) self and he should be back home in the next few days. We told him to take it easy on chopping wood for awhile, though. 
In case you can’t tell, my grandparents are the best in the universe.
Peace, Love & Nubs,
Gala says: 
Kaz 
Brie 
Leila 
Eliza 
Helen 
Gracie 
GoCatGo 
