Today 24Oct2023: Tuesday

It was a rainy day all Tuesday with only breaks with Oregon mist. The forecast suggests a clear weekend; I think the weatherperson is just trying to give us some hope. I wrote the blog the night before, so I had a more leisurely morning and was ready at 10AM when Matt V showed up. I made a pot of coffee and had instant oatmeal for breakfast before Matt arrived.

Matt could do the morning, and he stuffed Susie’s clothing in large lawn garbage bags. We reserved cool shirts that might be made into quilts and/or pillows to share with Susie’s greater family. Coats, which became three large bags, are headed to a local coat drive for the winter. Finally, there were six full bags of pants, shirts, suits, etc. These are headed to local shelters in Beaverton through our church. Matt V and I will deliver them to First United Methodist Church on Wednesday. Susie thus supplied nine huge bags of clothing to help folks in Beaverton!

We put the underwear, socks, and other items that cannot be sent to the recycle bin. Also, a mass of hangers were recycled. I emptied the drawers and found a picture Susie had put in a drawer to keep it safe.

Ben, Leta, Barb, and Susie in a photo taken for the Faith United Methodist directory picture. I put the small photo in a frame in my office.

Matt also vacuumed and found the floor of some of the closets. It being Matt, he ordered all the pair hangers in order and grouped them by color and type.

While Matt did most of the work, unloaded all the coats, emptied their pockets, and put them back in the bags, I worked on paperwork and plans for later. I sent Susie’s celebration party plan email and will follow up with folks soon. Once we agree on the idea, I will set dates.

I connected with insurance and sent an image of the death certificate to insurance. They have sent the payment, and I am waiting for the bank to see it. My new Apple will be here the first week of November–it is specially assembled in China with maxed memory and solid-state storage. From what I can read, it is twice the power of mine, an original M1 13″, an Air Book, and not my usual heavy Max Pro. For the first time, I will have a 15″ screen–pure luxury. I ordered black, like my second Mac that I loved so much.

Aside: Apple has been supplying a migration tool from one Mac to a new one; thus, I have had one image for over ten years. I just load my stuff using their tool to the next platform.

Returning to the narrative, Matt headed out just this afternoon and will be back on Wednesday. I drove to Red Robin in Beaverton and had lunch and a beer, a Stella–Susie’s fav. I selected the two enchilada chicken breasts and salad. I ruined the low-calorie count by having a side of french fries.

After an excellent repast, I returned home, got the mail, paid bills, and did some Nike paperwork. I paid another of the final bills for Susie. I rested for a short while and then started to cook dinner.

I made jambalaya by cutting sausage, browning, and adding a can of stewed tomato. I let that cook for a while. I then open a box of seasoned rice, let it heat momentarily, and add water. I then made a mistake; I did not cut the heat after the mixture reached a boil to cook the rice without burning it for twenty-five minutes. I discovered the mistake and dumped the non-burned rice into another pan, added water, and simmered it. For the mess, I poured water on the outside of the bottom of the pan to stop the burning. I set the pan in the sink to soak filled with water. No loss, and the mess came off without issue–just saved. Any time the rice is done, pour water on the bottom of the outside of the pan and then stir, and it will not burn.

Dinner was good–I saved it. I watched the newer Mission Impossible Movie on my Apple as I love the chase scene in Rome. The movie was on while I was cooking, and I suspect that is how I missed the rice step. I did not add any seafood this time as I had too much going on to remember it.

I checked, and the movie A Haunting in Venice was still on and cheap on Tuesday ($6.75), so I headed to Beaverton to see it again. The popcorn was $7.50, more than the movie, and was delicious. The movie was perfect, and I can hear Hercule Poirot in my mind again; “The little grey cells” were happy. The movie is a reworking of an Agatha Christie story, now reset with a scary theme. There are even jump scares. Excellent.

I took Air Volvo home. I decided to stay up and write the blog tonight to make the morning less rushed.

Thanks for reading.