Going backward, I was at the house after Air Volvo crossed the small mountains of Bald Peek and Chehalem range just before midnight. I crossed by connecting Bald Peak Road to 210, a longer but safer trip. Next, I wrote the bill for Susie’s expenses at the hummingbird house and got that in the mailbox. I was soon in bed and fell into a deep sleep; I woke only once and then slept the rest of the night.
I crossed the low mountains from the Smiths plus Jason at Michelle’s and David’s house on Bald Peek on the Newberg side. There David made a dinner of grilled sandwiches on pumpkin bread. I played the board game The Architects of the West Kingdom with Michelle, Cat, Tasha, and Jason (Tasha’s husband) after covering the rules and the new rules for Tasha, Jason, and Cat, who played before but not with all the add-ons. I had the latest incarnation of the game from the publisher in New Zealand. We did not finish the game as we ate dinner, and Tasha and Jason needed to head to their hotel to prepare for an early flight. Tasha and Jason were victims of canceled flights (not Southwest which melted down this holiday) and had a crazy flight back to the San Francisco area via Seattle from Portland (!) at 6ish (!).
Back to gameplay, Tasha did build one of the great works in the game, and it was the first time I saw the gold statue on the game board.
The revised game is now higher rated–the add-ons are recommended as they improve the game instead of just adding more rules and complexity (a failure often seen in follow-up Kickstarters of an existing game). This is a resource management and worker placement game. This game is my favorite type, where the turns are simple, but the strategy is challenging. Vindication and Concordia are also built using the same simple turn structure. These games often play well for any player count, and we did five players for Architects without too much hardship. I would recommend this game for higher player counts.
Also, we exchanged some simple gifts for Christmas. A book for me and candy for the Smiths. I also brought a comic book, Lamp Black, for folks to see. I am mailing Cat a copy to her NYC address. It was a lovely time and the first time, I think, we were together since the Pandemic. I sent gifts directly to Jason and Tasha in California, where Dr. Tasha is in a residency program.
Before this, I had to reach the Smith home on Bald Peek. Unfortunately, the recent wind storm (which, according to the press, killed five people who hit fallen trees while driving) had closed Bald Peek Road and the top of the mountain by the same name. I had to take an alternative longer drive. I connected to Mountain Top Road, not blocked, and let navigation help me. Nav sent me to the end of Bald Peek road. I called and got corrections from David and headed back up Bald Peek from the Newberg side, where the road was usable.
The clouds were resting on the mountain, so my visibility was ten to twenty feet at best. I found myself on a dirt road; the lack of visibility had me take the wrong turn (I could not find the paved road!), and I asked for help from another driver. I got turned around. I then found my way and arrived at the Smiths. I parked on their steep driveway (later, David turned Air Volvo around for me).
Before this, I was at Susie’s place. I took Susie to a movie in the nearby Tigard Regal Theater for Puss in Boots. This is a short animated feature by the same folks who created Shrek. Antonio Banderas was the cat, and the movie was fun but not fabulous. It also made many swipes at Disney that I thought did not improve the show. But, again, it was fun.
Susie did fall dead asleep for the slightly dull center of the movie. Susie often falls asleep now, even on the phone. However, Susie woke up, watched the rest of the action, and enjoyed the movie.
Susie shared a diet Pepsi with me after I added three packets of Thick-It to the drink. She also carefully had some popcorn. Overall it was a successful trip. Evan joined us at the movie and had to leave at the end.
Susie was hard to do lifts as she was not standing for me. I had to make the whole move and was surprised and had Susie worried for a moment as I had to reach into Air Volvo and move her fully into her chair. I managed the subsequent lifts better now that I was ready for Susie to return to a wet-noodles type of movement.
Before this, I arrived at the hummingbird house in Air Volvo, dodging all the tree limbs, mostly pine, in the streets. I did have one close call when a pickup decided to change lanes into Air Volvo. It was a close call as I had to hard brake (lucky nobody was behind me), and Air Volvo slammed the seatbelt tight–it thought we would collide. Apparently oblivious to the danger, the pickup driver changed lanes about six inches from Air Volvo. The rest of the driving was safe.
I was up late and wrote the blog in the morning. I had a banana for breakfast with coffee. I had slept well.
Thanks for reading.
Feel free to call, send cards, or even visit. Susie resides at:
Allegiance Senior Care
Adult Foster Care Home
9925 SW 82nd. Ave.
Portland, Oregon 97223
Alohawild (Michael Wild's) Website 