Today 16May2023

Just a brief story for today, going backward, I was just reading until 9PM (21:00) the newest Charles Stross Laundry Files book: Season of Skulls. Another modern take on the horrors of H.P. Lovecraft with computer and computational mathematics identical to casting spells. A favorite setting and even an RPG that I have borrowed material from and even played. The book is a brain cookie and always a treat to get the next installment. 

Before reading in bed and ignoring the world, I was at dinner with Rev. Anne and Rev.Dr. Wayne Weld-Martin at Mazatlan Mexican Restaurant in the Aloha strip mall, only a minute from the Volvo Cave. I was forty-five minutes late as the shoe company had an emergency meeting on a crisis of the moment at 5:30 that over-ran to 6:20. Anne and Wayne were still happy when I finally showed up (Anne had left her phone home, so my text and calls did not reach her). We had a nice but truncated dinner together. Anne was sitting on my left, and she noticed how much I struggled to hear her. I had to turn and face her and then turn away from her so my right ear could hear her. I am not shy about this anymore. I can hear the lower frequency sound better; Wayne’s voice carried better. But I made an effort to hear them both.

I had a margarita and my usual tamale and chili relleno. Anne ordered Flan and Wayne a second beer while I ate.

Before this, I drove home early and followed along until 4PM. Work was quiet for me; we started the go-live this weekend. The emergencies were on transactional data, which I am not responsible for now.

I got Susie’s bill from the pharmacy, including two hundred dollars in Ensure (OTC). I pay them with a physical check when I get the bill. I want them to react to Susie’s needs, being local, so they get their money ASAP, but using a completely auditable paper record.

I got a call from my doctor discussing my hearing. The damage is loss of nerves and will not get better. The loss suggests a virus or other cause in the left ear, so an MRI is warranted to check for a physical cause, but the loss is irreversible (my hope for a chance to get better is dashed), and it is likely nothing serious wrong. I will get an MRI in the next week or so.

Next, Susie’s cardiac doctor’s office called. Susie’s lab show an issue with her liver. The doc is removing the anti-cholesterol drug from Susie’s daily pills. Susie’s cholesterol numbers were good, so this should not be an issue. Next month, four weeks from now, we will do another visit to a lab to recheck Susie’s liver function. The doc will send an order to the hummingbird house as they need clear paperwork (That was done by the end of the day).

I had lunch at Chipotle, having chips, a rice bowl, and a Diet Coke. I ate this while reading news items on my phone. Before this, I had visited Susie at the hummingbird house in Portland (Tigard) at Allegiance Senior Care LLC, 9925 SW 82nd. Ave. Portland (Tigard), OR 97223; phone (503) 246-4116.

Susie was in her recliner in the shared living room when I got there and was happy to leave for a spin around the park. Jennifer got Susie popped into her wheelchair, and I applied sunblock to Susie’s hands and exposed legs. Susie is allergic to the sun, and her meds require limited exposure.

(I did not notice Susie’s glasses were on her ear until later)

We did the usual stopping at benches and enjoyed the park. There were dogs and folks everywhere. We called Leta, Susie’s mother, from a bench, and she enjoyed the chat and used her phone to show us her new deck, which was almost finished.

Before this, I was at work at 8AM after getting up at 6AM, starting my exercise and stretches again, and then doing coffee and a yogurt cup with fruit for breakfast. I watered the stressed roses, the new tree I planted this week, and the yet-to-be-planted rose bush from Dondrea and Z for my birthday.

Moving to roses, the pink moss rose bloomed (a one-time blooming rose), and Mister Lincoln has a bud ready to open. The other roses will likely bloom in the next few days. It should be a riot of color and scents!

(Pink Moss, an old rose)

(Mister Lincoln, hybrid tea rose–1964)

Thanks for reading!