Today 19March2023

The morning started with me moaning as the alarm on my phone rang at 7:00; ugh. I was finally moving around 8ish–enjoying my covers until then. I was up and writing and having breakfast after unloading and loading the dishwasher. And despite the good efforts of bug-man, the ants were back in the kitchen–the invaders were executed without delay. Breakfast was leftover boiled dinner and a slice of corned beef. A bit heavy, but so good. The Saturday blog is always long, and I hate to rush it (over 1,400 words), so I wrote for hours. I finally showered, dressed, and made a ham and cheese sandwich for lunch. Which was a bit much with breakfast. Next, I boarded Air Volvo and made the trip to Susie’s place in Portland (Tigard) at 9925 SW 82nd. Ave. Portland (Tigard), OR 97223; phone (503) 246-4116.

Susie was long finished with a late breakfast, skipping lunch as usual and resting in her recliner in the shared space that is the living room. There was a Hallmark movie on. Susie and I called Leta, Susie’s mother, from the recliner using my iPhone and FaceTime to see each other. Leta had just made cookies for a church event, a concert for an Opera Ph.D. student at Grace UMC in Lansing, Michigan, giving her final event for her Ph.D. Grace UMC uses MSU students for its music program and often supports students in various points of their process–such as the final concert for a degree. Leta said her cookies were perfect but would have to be delivered while MSU played in the finals today. Leta loves basketball and March Madness (MSU won tonight).

After the call, with hopefulness for an MSU victory, Anassa, the nursing aide for the weekends, took Susie to her room and arranged Susie in her bed. Susie listened with me sitting next to her to Peter, Paul, and Mary on Alexa (we have the music, everything). Susie listened and sang along, with me singing a bit here and there (though I would suspect many would call it more controlled croaking–I am terrible). I also bought some electronic components on AdaFruit’s website (I need their excellent low-voltage mics) while sitting beside Susie using my Apple laptop. I also bid on a ruined tube radio on eBay for another project (others want a radio, and I can continue to improve my design and software).

Susie was uncomfortable and was rolled on her side, and she napped now. I continued to read stuff on my laptop and stayed busy. By 3:30, I was getting sleepy, so I kissed Susie goodbye and left her in Louis’, the early evening nursing aide–he lives there too, hands.

I heard a friend was in the ER (no details here) and was concerned. I thus missed David and Michelle’s text that they were headed to see Susie. I spotted it and turned around.

Susie was surprised to have guests again, and Jennifer (helping her husband Louis) got Susie in her wheelchair. David and Michelle visited and brought a nice happy flower. We had a wonderful visit and chatted about many things. Susie was thrilled to have guests. We talked, by iPhone, with Cat, their daughter living in NYC. The Smiths and Natash and Jason will be in NYC in the first week of April.

After that, we headed out, and I drove across Beaverton, without incident, to Nonna Emilia for dinner. I waited thirty minutes for a seat in the bar (lucky I checked in as they apparently called my name instead of calling me) and had a great dinner of homemade sausages with green peppers and onions–going old school. A salad and pasta made it all great. I had coffee with dinner after having Lambrusco wine (extra sweet and cheap, so 1980s) and a shot of amaretto for dessert.

I wrote the blog after dinner.

Thanks for reading.