For the last day of September 2023, I was busy but did slow down in the early evening. I had my COVID-19 and Flu Vax on Saturday, and I was impacted as the evening started. It was a perfectly cool day with clear skies and dark blue, showing no smoke and little smog.
I woke before 7ish and then put the alarm off until 7:30. I then had to rush to make breakfast (hot oatmeal–low sugar–with dried cranberries and walnuts) and liberal coffee that I carried to the home office. I then did the usual reading of emails, Slack channel updates, and read some news (later, the US government did NOT shut down). I had two Zoom meetings, and I had then followed along. There were many breaks and process issues. I wrote the blog for Friday. I was busy all morning.
After managing a shower without events (the shower rod did not fall), I dressed, collected my computers, and boarded Air Volvo. There was only light traffic despite all of the holes The City of Beaverton has installed this summer. I arrived at Rite Aid Pharmacy.
I was disappointed that I had misread my appointment, and it was later in October (originally, it was Saturday, but somehow it moved, and I did not notice). As I was there, I asked for a Flu shot, and they said they could do that if I was willing to wait about 15 minutes. I replied I could wait. A different, young, pretty gal showed up with my vax and informed me they had a cancellation, so COVID-19 Moderna was ready for me. Yes, I am getting rejected vax (!?). The pharmacist then shot me up, and I enjoyed the Flu and Moderna vax side effects together. There was no waiting for deadly side effects (we know now that those effects are not caused by the vax). So I just thanked the staff and left with the paperwork.
I did ask them to update my yellow Vax card, which I have had since 1998. They said they don’t supply COVID-19 Vax cards now, but I wanted my records complete. They relented and agreed and wrote the information on my vax card. In the old days, I had to present that card with my passport for specific destinations.
So reinforced, I soon arrived at Susie’s place at Allegiance Senior Care LLC, 9925 SW 82nd. Ave. Portland (Tigard), OR 97223; phone (503) 246-4116. Susie was happy to see me and agreed it would be a good day to head out to Metzger Park next door with a coat. We went out and enjoyed a glorious, Oregon sunny fall day. It was warm in the sun and cold in the shade. We were drying out as the air was without humidity. I found a sunny bench, and from there, we called LetSusie’se’s mother) in Michigan on my iPhone using FaceTime to see each other. Leta and Susie chatted for a while about various things. Susie staying awake today, even in the warm sun. Susie was delighted to be outside again. I was already starting to drag a bit.
Susie and I returned to the hummingbird house, and then Susie sat in her bed while I got back to support work on my laptop. This time, I had only the Nike laptop. Susie had 1/2 an Ensure while we listened to some music. I had started a movie, but Susie fell asleep, so I tried to be quiet for a few hours. I had no more Zoom meetings on Saturday.
I kissed Susie goodbye at about 2PM when I headed out to meet Evan in Portland for lunch. Susie was sad that I was leaving, but she was not upset. She was sleepy but also wanted the lunch Anassa, the weekend day nursing aide, had offered. So I headed out and reached Von Eberts in less than thirty minutes–a fast trip. I found Table 14 in the bar; while 13 is my fav as it can see all the sport-covering screens, Table 14 is OK. I then used my phone to read the code and run their app to order. It is just the staff here, and they can take your order if you insist. I had a beer and an appetizer ordered before Evan arrived. He then ordered.
The lettuce-wrapped pork belly with kimchi was a great start. I had the smaller 4 wings with a salad for my lunch/dinner. Evan had his favorite pizza (a reworking of a standard model) and a few drinks.
Aside: The wings are so good, smoked, the rumors are that the chickens volunteer.
Next, and I was starting to drag, we moved to Starbucks across from Powell’s City of Books and played the board game Funance with the add-on. Evan was just a few coins behind my score, but I could not catch the machine player, who scored twenty more than me. We still like this new add-on, but it is hard to beat the machine player.
It seemed late to me, but I pushed through, and we got a counter seat at Screen Door and had pecan pie. There I had lots of coffee and pie. We had a view of the kitchen, and seeing all the food going out was fascinating: A triumph of frying chicken. I have only had salads and pie at this fried chicken and waffle joint, but all of it looked good and smelled great. I stuck to my pie.
Evan headed out while I decided to take Powell’s City Books for a spin. I found a 2020 Cocktail book celebrating 1920s drinks for 1/2 price, which is now added to my 1920s information collection. It includes a history of Prohibition in the USA as it marks the centennial of Prohibition.
On the way back, I accidentally closed the gaming store. I went in just before 7PM and searched for figures and other things I might need. At first, I was not sure why the clerk was so intense. But I then learned they had closed–what gaming store closes at 7PM on Saturday nights in the Fall! So I bought my figures and left.
At the house, I felt pain in all my joints, and the pie I had consumed was unsettled. I read and napped for a while. I then got up and painted the figures; I have speed paint I have been meaning to use, and a large Earth Element (they are dirt-colored) was a good option for a test of these strange paints. I slopped the paint on, and it did work. It is shaded and colored–these models are pre-primed, so you can just paint them. The spooky disembodied hands (Think Addam’s family) have one that is jumping. I removed the gorry bits with a file and painted it blue with speed paints. I will add a sword, and it will be a Spiritual Weapon marker for Dungeons and Dragons. Excellent. I also painted more on my Egyptian figure, but I was tired and did not want to try much. I did paint the eyes and some of the face and wings.
I was tired, so I read Agatha Christie’s Mrs. McGintry’s Dead while lying down. I bought my old yellowing paperback copy in East Lansing at Curious Books. It is one of the stories I remember from the BBC show, the only other version. I recommend the BBC version and the book version.
I tried to understand the rules of a new board game, Arabella. Board Game Geek states, “Arabella is an 18XX-themed roll-and-write for 1-4 players, set in Estonia.” I will have to watch a video. I could not sleep, so I tried rereading the rules, and it worked. I was asleep soon. That is not a good sign for this newly arrived-Kickstarter game.
Thanks for reading!
Alohawild (Michael Wild's) Website 