I am starting the blog early on Sunday. Susie is resting in her bed, and I am sitting in her rocking chair, typing the blog. We had big flakes of snow at 2ish. There is more snow possible in the next couple of days. If the warmer air stays, then we get our usual rain; otherwise, it is back to Snowmaggeden.
The day started with me waking before my alarm and finally getting up around 7. I then made coffee, the liberal Equal Exchange brand, in my French Press. I cut a bagel in half, one from the bakery in Hillsboro, but this one tasted more like bread. My dream of possible NYC bagels in Hillsboro is gone! I had that with some reduced-cost yogurt. Not sure I understand how you can have expired yogurt, but I was willing to pay 50% less for it. It tasted just like yogurt (with fruit).
Next, I logged into my Apple and Nike laptop; I reviewed all the emails, Slack channel updates, and news to be ready for my new day. Starting on the day after 9/11, I review the international news every morning. I did not know about 9/11 until I heard the news on my car radio while driving to work.
I did not do the Saturday blog on Saturday. I started to write it while listening to an hour of Zoom status and update meetings. Multi-tasking. I managed not to be the guy who said, “Could you repeat that,” when a question was addressed to me from the status meeting. I am already paying attention.
Once the hour of meetings ended, I was able to focus more on the blog. It is the Saturday one, and so is it often long–it was. I finished it at about 10:15, about two hours of work with interruptions. I put away the folding table in the dining room, another space cleared, and planned to toss most of the paints I used to paint figures. Most are pre-pandemic and too thick. Time to start again, and this lets me resync my painting area with new paints (only one bottle per color).
I ran out of time for exercises and stretching, which often happens on Sunday, and showered and dressed. I then packed up the Apple and Nike laptop to put in the cargo hold of Air Volvo. I planned to stop by the gaming store to buy replacement paints, but the store, Rainy Day Games, apparently does not open before noon on Friday. It will have to wait until Monday.
The roads were wet with some sloppy snow on them. The Beaverton crossover I due on Allen Street was still covered in frozen snow, and cars were slipping on it. I had to slow down and be aware of my fellow drivers in less capable vehicles than Air Volvo (XC60 SUV with automatic four-wheel drive, anti-lock breaks, and computer-controlled crash avoidance). I arrived safe and without events in Portland (Tigard) at 9925 SW 82nd. Ave. Portland (Tigard), OR 97223; phone (503) 246-4116.
Susie was sleeping in her recliner in the shared living room. Anassa moved Susie to her rocking chair in her room. Susie was exhausted and apparently took a long time to eat her breakfast. I put on Cruella, the newish Disney film. It is a musical, and Emma Stone shows her skill at handling a complex musical story again (I loved her in La La Land) and owns the part.
Susie watching the unexpected big snowflakes in Tigard today.
Susie started to lean to the right (from the stroke) and fell asleep, leaning out of her chair. I had to awaken her to get her back to a safer stance. For the first thirty minutes, Susie was confused, sleepy, and leaning too much. For the rest, Susie seemed to find her focus and seemed to enjoy the movie and was even singing along to a few of the rock songs.
We called Susie’s mother, Leta, after the first song, and Susie was not very responsive. I think she was asleep or spacing a bit. Leta was disappointed that Susie was not responding, but Susie came back, and they were able to chat for just a bit.
After the end of Curella, I headed out to Red Robin for lunch/dinner. Susie got a snack, and shift change happened with Louis taking over; he is another live-in Nurse Aide and Jennifer’s husband.
At Red Robin, I had the salad and spiced chicken breasts, the ensalda platter. I had this with a Diet Coke. My waiter plays Dungeons and Dragons, as does another guy, and we talked about gaming while I ate. They both like to DM and write stories.
It always surprises me to find folks so young playing a game that was new in the early 1970s. I am glad it still attracts new players. Everyone seems to like the tabletop version (with various online help).
I returned to Susie’s place after lunch and found her sleeping in her bed. She was glad I came back, and she slept while I typed this blog. Susie was deeply asleep; I think you feel safe when she knows I am there. I stayed another hour, but I had a 4:30 status meeting, so I left with a kiss, and Susie fell back to sleep.
I did the status call while driving home. There was nothing new for me, and things were just clicking along according to plan, finally. It has been three weekends now that we have all worked. I reached home, stopping by the gaming store Rainy Day Games, which did not have the Army Paint Set I wanted. I grabbed the iPad I had forgotten to put in the Volvo cargo bay this morning and headed to Cory’s house.
I reached there 15 minutes before the game, and we played until 9ish. We are playing the new Spell Jammer campaign in 5E Dungeons and Dragons with new characters. I am playing a holy knight of death. I protect the dead and their tombs and ensure the dead are not poisoned by unholy undeath.
We played, and I repeatedly nearly became a customer of myself. I will not share details here as it is purchased material, and I don’t want to do any spoilers. All six of us, Matt DM-ing, had a great time.
I returned home and made a salad for a late dinner with ham, cheese, olives, lettuce, and other goodies.
I am getting tired. Thank you for reading again.
Alohawild (Michael Wild's) Website 