Tuesdays are back-to-the-office days, meaning waking at 6:30 and rushing out the door by 7:30 to make the 8AM status meeting. I woke before my alarm and then rewoke when it went off, and I said, “And that is what it is for,” when I discovered I had fallen asleep sitting up in bed! I am still dragging and only felt better after sucking down my emergency inhaler as I drove home at 4PM. I was a walking asthma attack all day.
Breakfast was rushed with two scones I made a few days ago (kept in ant-proof containers) with liberal coffee. I read my emails and Slack updates and reviewed the news. Next, I popped into the shower, managed to be out of the house (dressed and shaved), and boarded Air Volvo with my Nike computer. The summer has no traffic other than folks trying to cross the roads; I am careful. Today the auto-braking in the insanely good Volvo safety systems fired twice. Folks are slamming the brakes in light traffic without warning–but no paint was lost today, as Air Volvo stopped.
Work was the usual series of status meetings that ran all morning, and I am now getting half a dozen design documents to read and approve each day. Today I did review with the developer, after approving his design, a better parallel process on SAP ABAP systems that is more resistant (we have been using it for twenty years on Nike’s legendary systems). His code was thoughtfully designed but could not handle a constrained system–Michael G once said I should write a How-to book. We will take another shot at the code when the next improvement appears. I would hate to retest it again this late in the game. Next time!
After giving coding lessons and approving changes in meetings and then in Technical Design documents, it was time to get more coffee. I had carried the rest of the coffee from home in a thermal cup–all gone; I got a free refill from our baristas on the first floor (Starbucks coffee, of course)–Leadership buys coffee for anyone before 10AM. Yes, we are a caffeinated bunch!
I started back on my new project, but soon it was time to head out. It was slightly overcast; it was a sticky 70F (21C) day in Oregon. I boarded Air Volvo and was soon delivered, without issue, to Susie’s place 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 just finishing breakfast, and Jennifer, the weekday nurse aide, produced a blanket for Susie. I then took Susie out to Metzger Park in her wheelchair. The yellow jackets, for the most part, left us alone.
The park was full of people, and only one bench, the shady one in the redwoods and cedars, was open. Once seated, Susie and I called Leta and Barb, Susie’s mother and sister, respectively, on my iPhone. We used FaceTime and finally connected to a three-way call. Leta looked better; the bruises on her face are fading–she fell a few days ago. We had a friendly chat.
I had to return to work, so it was a short visit, and I quickly had Susie back at the hummingbird house. I was also getting tired. I kissed Susie goodbye while Jennifer took Susie back to her recliner in the living room.
I next stopped at Happy Panada and had Orange Chicken for lunch. I used to eat here often with friends. I was thinking of them while I had lots of tea to help me wake up.
After lunch, I returned to the office and worked on various status meetings and items until I headed out at the end of my shift at 4PM. Air Volvo managed to be almost on autopilot to get home. I then rested for a while. Reading and napping.
I got up, defrosted some chicken, and made Tagine-style chicken for four–I will save it for later dinners. I make it with potatoes and carrots instead of rice. I never put enough salt in it. With high blood pressure, I have no habit of using salt. I add the preserved lemon and olives with Tagine spice (lots of it) to get that Tagine flavor.
I ate dinner while watching YouTube videos from Battleship New Jersey and on the wreck of USS Lexington CV-2 (aka Lady Lex, the Queen of Flat Tops). After that, I started on this blog.
Thanks for reading!
Susie, if she was here, would tell you it looks like the kitchen blew up. I will clean up tonight. I miss her.
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