“stay-at-home” order...

Hated to leave the Gorge but the hovels are being resided. I need to be here for that as I have the only extra keys to the Doc's place next door, as well, my place.

When I got back I seal-a-mealed the walleye fillets and distributed them to neighbors in the hood.

Back to caulking and inside painting, and normal chores.

Yesterday, the sun was shining, so I planted a bunch of pansies 

 and spray painted my patio furniture. 

 Went back inside for a cup of coffee, heard a loud racket outside, looked out and dang.

It was hailing like a son of a gun.  Patio furniture paint and pansies seem to be OK, will see.

The Governor has mandated a “stay-at-home” order as of today!  

Luckily, I had recently purchased new batteries for my 6' ft distancing pole

which were added to the other survival items needed for staying-at-home.

Self quarantining...

New windows, doors, and siding are being installed on the hovels. In order to stay out of the way... and at the request of my BIL & SIL I went up the gorge to the River House. 

 

part of the view from the river house

 Willie stayed with my cousin in Portlandia to help in the garden. 

We thought it best to distance ourselves by being on the water.

my SIL

 

my BIL

 Since we were out there, might as well try for some food.

We caught nine walleye, so I brought home enough fillets to keep a few of my neighbors in the hood happy.

 The one sturgeon was about 7 ft, 150lbs, and we released it.  It started to tire me out after the first 30 minutes. But, lots of fun to catch and get to the boat on 5# test!  What beautiful prehistoric fish they are.

towards the end of day on the Columbia

Monday, all day...

The snow is gone, it left via a cold cold wind.  Today is sunny with an occasional breeze. 

 

Mt Adams in the distance, from the hovel

I ventured out to get moss cleaner for the deck and patio at the mega store. People are still clearing the shelves of TP, water, sanitizer, and some vegetables!  Commonsense is not on the menu. Lots of small businesses are really being hurt by this.

My parish has stopped all public masses, and most activities as requested by the Archbishop of Seattle.  Proving once again that you don't need a church to pray.   Oh, but you are encouraged to send in your offerings on line or via the mail. 

Had to call in my electrician to fix the plugs in my bedroom.  Acted like a loose connection, but I know diddly squat about electrical stuff.  The guys came, and yep they were wired incorrectly.  The guys fixed them and took a big check and walleye fillets in payment.

I'm regrouting my bathtub.  Wanted to get it done before this, but have been painting and other things instead. You know "squirrel".

before removal of old grout...

after removal of old grout...

 I will finish when I get back from the blood sucker drive at the parish hall. 

Snow Day...

We are having a Snow day in Vancouver !

Tight lines...

Headed up the gorge on Wednesday to spend some time at the River House walleye fishing.

 Didn't get there til late in the evening. As I had to wait til the deliverer of my house warming gift for the new river house actually delivered it, so I could take it with me. 

 Stowed it in Nate and headed out, leaving the gloom and rain behind me. 
Next morning we were up early. It's a must to wear lots of layers as it's cold on the water in the early mornings.  With a base layer top, flannel shirt, sweat shirt, leggings, and jeans layered under my lined bib overalls I must have looked like a dark version of the Michelin Man.  Didn't care what it looked like, I was warm, an love'n my bib overalls!

We put in at the mouth of the Deschutes, and headed out to the Columbia.

My BIL knows the river and he is good at getting the rigging, bait, speed, etc... right. Plus, he has the patience of a saint, at least with his sister-in-law, she of the many questions.  I could show you a pic of the harness we were using, but then you know...

It was a Beautiful day on the water. There were a few barges going down river, and a fly over by the Air National Guard.  

 We got off to a slow start, and lost a couple. Walleye are notorious for throwing a hook. Then we found the sweet spot, and my pink pole ruled! 

My BIL caught two, SIL caught one and I lost two, but I ended up boating seven. 

 We got back to the river house, cleaned all the fish, and had a delicious walleye dinner.  
The next day my BIL caught one, and I caught two. My SIL lost a couple, and had started saying, "that damn BB is catching all the fish"(lol). So we decided to retire back to the river house, wine, and the woodstove. 
Saturday I got up early, loaded up my gear and fish, and hugged my BIL & SIL goodbye.  They had another group of family coming in, and I had had two good days in the sunshine, on the water, & visiting with them.
Got home and shared some of my catch with a neighbor that had kept an eye on my place while I was gone.  (I have to fess-up that I bribed him with cowboy cookies before I left, encase I didn't catch any fish.)

My Portlandia cousin is coming over to get some of the catch. She's never had Walleye, so it will be a treat for her. 
I had such a good time, and am happy to share the bounty...