The day started with me rushing and then being early. Not unusual for me. I could not be late today. So I started at about 7AM, discovered I had never published the previous day’s blog, and corrected that. I then wrote the story for Saturday for the blog. I posted everything and got it out.
Next, I dressed for church with a white shirt, tie (Mandelbrot), and sweater. I was ready early and read for a few moments. I then took Air Volvo and crossed Coopers Mountain: The hills were full of mist, and the mountains could not be seen. Traffic was light on Sunday, and I was soon at hummingbird house a bit early.
Susie was happy to see me and was dressed in bright colors for today’s church directory pictures. We called her mother to say hello, as we were early enough to get that done. Susie used my iPhone to FaceTime with Leta. Anasa put Susie in the wheelchair and followed us to the car. I put Susie in the car, with Anasa watching and making suggestions. I again did not lift Susie high enough, and she nearly hit her head. I think Susie was not standing as strong as she did before, so we will need more practice. Nonetheless, Susie was safe and in the car.
We made it to the church, a short drive without any adventures with Beaverton’s Finest or warm yellow lights. I loaded Susie from Air Volvo to her wheelchair, and Susie was welcomed back to First United Methodist Church. Pastor Ken, who Susie had not met, was happy to meet Susie.
Susie sat in her chair for the service, and I supplied hymnals, and she sang the songs. The guy who does hospitality, Bill, has an upcoming birthday, so there was a brownie cake for him. So Susie had a tiny bit of that and a sip of coffee after the nuclear hot coffee–a Methodist thing–cooled down.
I loaded up Susie with folks watching and helping to load the heavy wheelchair for me. I got her back, and Susie was a bit tired. I unloaded her and the wheelchair without issue. Susie was better at helping at that time.
I changed shirts in the bathroom to an H.P. Lovecraft Festival shirt and took Air Volvo to the Hollywood Theater. The traffic, for a Sunday, was more than I expected, and I was late for the movies, but as usual, the festival was running twenty minutes late.
I was in the little upstairs theater (once the balcony) and watched the Lovecraft Under-the-gun films. These are films made in a few days with specific elements included, and most were good and, considering the ad hoc nature of their creation, quite good. I had met some creators during the various parties, so I wanted to see their films. It was worth the rush to get there.
After that, I was hungry, but I decided to end my festival and not sit and watch for another couple of hours with pizza and beer. So instead, I headed to Olympic Provisions near OMSI. But first, I did get a book by Mark Teppo, who I met at the festival, and he signed it for me. Mark’s game-related writing is for sale at Guardian Games, and I have one of his pamphlets. I also thanked Gwen, one of the directors, again while buying another t-shirt with the image of this year’s poster printed in light brown.
Next lunch/dinner. While expensive, my food and gin and tonic at Olympic Provisions were some of the best food (all meat) I have had in a long time. I was last there with Susie in the pandemic, with the Proud Boys rioting in their trucks all over Portland. I had the ham board (they make great ham) with steak tartar. It is a beautiful product.
I headed home, well-fed, in Air Volvo. I stopped by the local gaming store (only a few miles from home), Rainy Day Games, and chatted with a few folks there and looked to see if there was something I needed. I found a $10 card game, solo, “Can you save Ichabod from the Headless Horseman?” That I thought would be something I should try out. More on that later.
I got home and took a nap. My leg was hurting again. It is better now; I have all these horror books to read alone in the house. Yes, weird poetry about unearthly creatures coming for us. I am sure I will be fine.
I will, Eric, try not to mumble the words while readying to myself.
I am reading Mark Teppo’s recommended series, starting with Solitaire. It is a Weird Wild West story.
The H.P. Lovecraft Film Festival is said to be the only festival made up of people who understand. Yes, we do.
The weekend work was completed on the software upgrade. I was able to help a bit here and there.
Thank you for reading.
Alohawild (Michael Wild's) Website 