Today 19Oct2023

Today was another rest-of-my-life day as my sister left today. She came out when she heard that Susie’s condition was grave, and I spoke to Linda just after Susie died in her sleep on Friday early evening. Linda was just on the flight when I called. Linda arrived late on Friday/Saturday and stayed through the arrangement meetings and us moving out of the hummingbird house. Jesse, Linda’s husband, had his first birthday after their wedding last month without Linda–they did it remotely. I appreciate her coming and helping me process what has happened.

Today, I woke up at 6ish and made coffee while Linda cleaned up and prepared to leave. I watched the news reports and made NYC bagels, my last ones in the freezer, for breakfast. Linda left around 7AM, while the traffic reports were good. Linda texted that she had a beautiful drive back to PDX. Linda made her flight without issues–a 100% full plane, as usual from PDX.

Next, I wrote the blog. That took the early morning. I showered, dressed, and got ready to start some housework. I began to clean up my workspace in the office. Electronics is messy, and it took me hours to clear the mess. I want to start on model building and figure painting in my office. I will clean up my workspace in the garage for electronic work–leave the messy stuff in there. I mostly moved the mess to another table. On Friday, I will re-organize the electronics to be in the garage and the models and figures to be in the office. I have a lot of out-of-date electronic parts that need to be sent on their way. I also plan to remove the paints from one of the tool chests and instead use it for electronic components–doubling my storage for electronics. This has been my plan for months, but today, I have a few days off to execute it.

Aside: I try not to buy a single component but have the whole set. It is insanely expensive to buy individual parts when the whole set is now on Amazon or other suppliers for only a few bucks (often with free shipping). This means more storage. But it is really run when I just get all the parts from my existing supply–so cool to be your own Radio Shack!

I complete most of the start of moving things and have the leftover food from Charlotte J for lunch. Matt V is coming over at 1PM. Matt V loves to organize things and to find a great way of setting up things. He even likes to vacuum while doing it. Matt reset the office with just a few consultations into a better plan.

Matt V is on time and does his thing, and soon, the office looks better. Matt V and I then moved the furniture that had been in the garage to the office. We use a dolly, which Matt V has not done before, and we easily move the too-heavy-to-lift cabinets to the bedroom. All those years working for Dad at Wild’s Furniture and Appliance and delivering laundry into farmhouse basements paid off. I can move huge, heavy things with a dolly, even when I was twelve. We just slide over the short step into the house from the garage. Matt V is happy with it. It’s only 3ish, and we are done, wow! I collected three dead computers, two were Susie’s, and some items from Susie’s room. I take the computers to recycling, paying $60 to erase and recycle all three. I dropped the bookcase that Barb got Susie and some mugs that once came with flowers at Goodwill.

Matt V was ready for more projects. I had cleaned out the part of the garage while Matt V worked in the office but had no other plans. I was happy with what we got done. Matt V had a great time.

I changed into less dusty clothing and started on the laundry. I took a short nap. I still get tired, but today was a workout, so I needed a break.

I finally decided to head to BJ’s Brewhouse for dinner. I had avoided it until now, but there I had Mo as my waiter, and Eric was nearby in the test of the bar. I broke the news; they had both been Susie’s waiter, of Susie’s passing. They were saddened by the news, of course. I managed, this time, to tell the story without tears.

BJ’s was Susie’s first big outing after moving to hummingbird house, and Eric was our waiter then. Susie had her stand-by, a Southern Comfort Manhattan, on the rocks, two cherries–she just tasted it. They keep a bottle of Southern Comfort in the bar for Susie. Still, I remember she was delighted to make a go of it.

I had a pork chop, baked potato, and salad, my usual. I had one Jeremiah Red, their red ale. I finished with coffee.

I wrote the blog while eating and watching the NFL with the New Orleans Saints trying to find their way. I am always a Saints fan when they play–I remember the hurricane and always cheer them (they need the help usually).

I have received cards and words saying that folks enjoy the blog. Thanks, dear readers, and I do plan to continue writing. Every day.

Thanks for reading and for the kind cards and calls.

An Update: Mo gave me a Courtesy Card for $25 for next time in remembrance of Susie’s many dinners and drinks here.