Story 30Nov2022

The morning started with waking just before my alarm and falling deeply asleep. I was then shocked to awake only ten minutes later. No way to start a morning! I then did my stretching exercises and discovered I would need to do them on the floor. It is a learning process.

I had cottage cheese and the rest of 1/2 can of peaches for breakfast with some liberal coffee. Then, I read my email and some work stuff before showering and dressing. It is a work-from-office day, so it is a rush to be ready in time to be in the office for the 8AM meetings. But I managed it and was back in the office for my first meeting.

I helped with a few ideas today and a few crises of the moment. The Zoom meetings were still frustrating, but things were moving and making the meetings more useful. It is always strange to be in the office in Zoom meetings.

I headed to see Susie and arrived at the hummingbird house around 11AM. Susie was in her recliner and looked a bit tired. We called her mother, Leta, and chatted for a while. Susie is starting today on her iron supplements to see if we can improve her labs. Susie’s immediate risks are weight loss, low iron, and low red blood cell counts. I sat with her for a while and held her hand. But, it is a work day, so I could only stay for a short time. I left Susie, looking sad, with a kiss. Another hard day.

On the way back to the office, I grab a burger king whopper with terrible onion rings. The drive-through was flooded–a drain was likely full of leaves, and there were six inches or more of water in the driveway. So I went in and got my burger to-go. The BK team was singing 80s rock and Christmas songs–not something I expected. I took my burger with me and sat in Air Volvo, eating and listening, as usual, to Oregon Public Radio news shows.

I returned to the office and helped with some ideas for a performance fix. I left after 4PM and headed to Old Town Beaverton. The traffic had not gotten bad yet, and I was soon parked at First United Methodist Church in Beaverton. I walked to the Ava Roasteria to get my walking done for my back exercises. There I ordered a sandwich–they wanted to know which one. I asked them to make their favorite. I answered the other questions with suggestions that they pick the bread and all of that to match how they like it. The Turkey and cheddar sandwich was terrific. I did walk it back to get more walking and ate the sandwich in my car.

I bumped into Venky at Ava while waiting for my food and coffee, who I last saw at Ernest’s Hillsboro Python meetings before the pandemic. It was great to see him, and he is still finding work for folks. He offered to find me some good work if I ever wanted to give up the shoe company! Not every day do I get a job offer; I demurred. Venky and I both agree that we miss Ernest’s group and hope we can return to those exciting meetings.

Aside: I am working on my Dungeons and Dragons adventure now. But I plan to do some exciting Python work in late December. Maybe I will have to start a meet-up at First United Methodist Church with me ordering Pizza and bringing water next year. Python again in 2023! Thinking of you Ernest!

Choir practice and band rehearsal are today (Wednesday), so I brought the Architects of the West Kingdoms board game. Zophia quickly learned the game and was playing well. I won the first game, but Zophia and I played fast, and there was plenty of time to play again, and Zophia beat me in the second game. She had never played the game before, but she really enjoyed the game. It is my favorite type of board game, with very simple turns and complex strategies, some multidimensional.

We put Architects away after two games and started on Azul, and we both won a game. We play cutthroat and use the blank board, which is more challenging. We love to play this against each other.

I gave a wrapped present similar in size to my copy of Azul for Christmas to Zophia. The card says it may be open before Christmas.

I then flew Air Volvo home. We are under a storm watch, so I put the traction devices (Volvo socks!) into the cargo area with another first aid kit (I usually carry two). I am ready for Thursday with snow.