The day started at 6AM with my allergies waking me, and I panicking and taking a COVID-19 test (negative). So, I only had three or four hours of sleep last night–I was dragging all day. I tried to return to bed, but I mostly rolled over a few times and started my day at 7:30ish. I made an NYC bagel (thanks, Joyce) for breakfast and yogurt. I started the laundry, got an error code, and canceled the wash–I had forgotten to re-open the water to the clothing washing machine. Oops. I closed the water when I left for Michigan on Thursday.
I unpack some more, locate the T-shirt, Detriot Lions, and put that in Air Volvo. Before heading out, after restarting the laundry machine, I made a cold ham and cheese sandwich. I had to toast the bread as I froze the loaf when I left for Michigan (I did not want to return to fuzzy bread). While I ate my sandwich, I watched YouTube videos on Tolkien (Nerd of the Rings) and on how the bow metal corrodes in an Iowa-class battleship (Battleship New Jersey). After enjoying some new updates (I also saw a video on fixes to RMS Queen Mary in California), I finally collected my suit, suit pants, and shirt.
Air Volvo reached the Dry Cleaners in Beaverton without incident. My suit will be cleaned and ready for the H.P. Lovecraft Film Festival. I just need a period hat–working on that. I also added the suspender button to the pants for my black suit. They forgot them, and that makes the suit unusable. I want both suits for the festival.
After that, I crossed Beaverton to see Susie at her place at Allegiance Senior Care LLC, 9925 SW 82nd. Ave. Portland (Tigard), OR 97223; phone (503) 246-4116. I arrived with only witnessing some extra-legal driving when a car was trying to make a left turn, and cars drove around the car instead of waiting.
Susie was delighted to see me. She loved the new T-shirt. She was ready to see the Park again now that I was back.
We traveled to Metzger Park next door, and Susie wanted a sunny, warm location. Our first attempt had us driven off by yellow jackets, which seemed to swarm that area. We found another sunny bench without the pests and soon could talk to Leta, Susie’s mother, and Barb, Susie’s sister, on my iPhone using FaceTime to create a three-way call. Everyone was happy to have me safe and back in Oregon, and we had a pleasant chat. Once that was completed, I took Susie for a short tour and turned around as we were chased by wasps las time when outside the park near the street. The wasps are angered by the black spinning spokes of the wheel. Certain motions and colors draw aggression from some insects and even birds.
We still got chased as some wasps were affected by the black wheel spokes and became very aggressive. Before that, we saw that the park was ripping out the plantings near the event building, and I was saddened to see an old rose bush being pulled out. I was tempted to save it or a cutting, but I really had enough. I promised to carefully pick any new roses as there are so few spots left around my house that a rose could use (unless I start cutting up the lawn). I let it go.
We returned to the hummingbird house with Louis filling in for his wife, Jennifer, the usual nursing aide during the week. We watched another episode of Only Murders in the Building, season 3. Susie and I love this show. After that, I had to leave and rest and finish my laundry at the house. I went with a kiss–Susie was sad to have me leave but understood I was tired.
I reached the house without issues and found the mail had been delivered. I had written a letter to put the mail on hold while I was away and to deliver all the mail today. A friendly letter works better than trying to fill out their official card. Now I had bills for Susie’s medical stuff and Mom Wild’s lawn. I pay both manually by check to have a clear record. I also record all of this in Quicken. I received my membership card to Portland Art Museum (PAM) with a letter saying all $80 was a donation–so I updated my Quicken entry to treat it as a donation–excellent!
I finally turned on the water, and the laundry started to work. I rested (napped) and read
After a few failed solicitations, I was alone at BJ’s Brewhouse for dinner. Eric, my usual waiter, was on, but Mo said “hi,” also a familiar face. The manager who left is back as a server, “It did not work out,” he told me. We were both happy that he burned no bridges and was back. Many staff were dressed as superheroes as it was employee appreciation week. Many had supplied capes that said, “Bam” (referring to comic books and the old Batman TV show).
I had the huge porkchop and a baked potato that would impress the Hulk. Linda, my sister, and Jesse, her newly minted husband, are in Seattle and are having a great time in the Pacific Northwest. We exchanged pictures of food. So far, I am winning, but they have dinner at 8, which will likely be excellent.
I wrote this while eating and texting Linda. Thanks for reading.
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