Today 15Jan2022: Sunday

The morning started early, with me awake at 6:15 and writing the blog. I had just toast with smooth Jiffy peanut butter (the only kind Susie likes). I drank most of the liberal coffee this morning. I needed a bit of caffeine to get going. I also did some of my exercises and stretches. It is Sunday, and Susie may want to attend church today, so I have to be ready to do all the lifts. I also bring my computer and equipment in case we watch the service at hummingbird house.

As I am writing Saturday’s blog, the sun (well, we assume there is still a sun during the winter months, but we have little proof other than the regularity of night and day) rose, and I could see the enormous puddle in the backyard. It rained a bit last night. The wind was whipping the trees, and the little lake had little white caps. An ordinary January day here in the Pacific Northwest.

After the blog, I showered and dressed in my church clothing. A blue (or white) shirt, buttondown collar, oxford cloth (old school 1980s look, L.L. Bean biz shirt), nearly wrinkle-free (permanent press pulled from the dryer while still hot, placed on a hanger, and let cool–auto irons itself) plus banker tie (usually I go with something like Pride, Mandelbrot, or Elephants from India, but today banker). Blue sweater over it all. No suit coat.

I managed to leave on time, but the USA flag was twisted into the gutter. Can’t leave it that way. I pull, and the flag holder breaks, and I am covered in a wet flag. Beyond eye-roll! I collect the flag, hang it inside to dry, and put the broken post and post holder near the entrance to fix or dispose of when I have time. The damage shows that the screw to hold the top of the post holder was in rotted wood, and only the bottom was still holding. The metal post holder broke at the bottom screw where the stress would be from holding the flag with only the bottom screws. Crazy!

After that mess, I boarded Air Volvo and drove the wet and puddle-filled streets to reach Susie at the hummingbird house. I was splashing along without incident. However, I did see someone do a U-turn and nearly hit a bike in the bike lane. It was a damp day to ride, but worse with cars cutting into the bike lane!

I parked Air Volvo, and Susie was waiting. Anassa, the nurse aide for today, helped me get Susie ready. Susie was ready and in her heavy leather coat, matching hat, and scarf. I loaded Susie without issue (I am used to her being unable to help) and loaded the wheelchair in the cargo hold. Air Volvo had a short trip to First United Methodist, Beaverton.

The rain mainly was mist, but the wind was the cold mountain winds we get. The winds are from the east and come from the cold heavy air traveling east to west from the high desert to the valley. It pours down the Columbia Gorge and blasts over the low hills into the valley. It can be ten degrees colder than the ambient air!

Susie shivered as we de-Volvo’d and rushed to the church. We managed to get there just as the service, 10:30, started. Howard, the Music Director, was playing lovely songs on the organ. Susie was unstable and leaning to the right in the wheelchair (the stoke-involved side), so I moved her to the tables in the back. She was able to sit up with the tables and did better.

Dondrea gave the sermon, one of her best; so good that here is a link: 15Jan2023FUMCB. The sermon’s basis is the Centurian’s story in Matthew’s gospel. A Roman is given a miracle, and Jesus comments that he has never found such faith. Dondrea compares this to Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s seeing an ally in an old southern President Lyndon Bain Johnson (LBJ to most Americans). LBJ drove the Voting Act, which began the disassembling of Jim Crow in the south USA, indeed, an unexpected partner. You can find LBJ’s words. Here is a bit of another speech, which is old-fashioned for today’s tastes: Speech.

“The time of justice has now come. I tell you that I sincerely believe that no force can hold it back. It is right in the eyes of man and God that it should come. And when it does, I think that day will brighten the lives of every American.” –LBJ 1965

Our first hymn was my favorite; here is Lift Every Voice and Sing. We also sang We Will Overcome, also the name of the LBJ speech.

We enjoyed some donuts and coffee after the service. Susie does not get donuts often (today, tiny bites). Next, I loaded Susie back into Air Volvo without incident. Susie was leaning so much to the right that I had to pull her out of her chair like a doll, but we managed without pinching or other painful mistakes. I use a moving belt over Susie’s coat to give me a purchase. I keep the belt in Air Volvo’s storage.

We returned, and I popped Susie out. The wind was a bit harsh. I had Susie’s coat unzipped to stop her from overheating in church, leaving her exposed to the wind. I rushed and got Susie back into the comfort of the hummingbird house without incident.

Susie was soon comfortable in her rocking chair in her room, and we watched the season finish of the Disney+ show Willow. The show was well done, and I liked the ending. A mix of too much sweetness but with a slightly bitter twist at the end. The special effects were Star Wars meets Swords and Sorcery. There are teenage love interests and everyone, but Willow seems to be squeezed into apparel that would fit a drawn comic book image showing every line and curve. No flowing robes here, but still an interesting story.

Susie was exhausted and slept through the slower parts of the episode. We called her mother, Leta, a bit late–after the show, but they still had a friendly chat. Susie headed next to lunch and a nap. I left with a kiss.

I stopped by a Mexican place and had average food. It took forty minutes to get lunch, so I will not name the business. It is closer to Susie. Next time I will travel back to Aloha.

I then rested a bit, read, and finally headed to Wildwood Taphouse to write this blog. It is about two hours of work tonight.

Thanks for reading.