Today is the 5th of November and Guy Fawkes Day in some places. It was also a time change day. I had forgotten and was up at 6AM when I could not sleep, instead of 7AM like I thought. I wrote the blog with a bagel, a NYC bagel from the Smiths and Joyce, after correcting the few clocks that don’t automatically adjust. I was tired and not feeling well, and I found the blog more of a burden than a chance to remember the previous day (Aside–I hope it was not too wooden). I managed to get my inhalers and some food, and I was feeling better. The depression and the darkness of the Pacific Northwest Fall-Winter-Spring season (one seemingly endless grey rain storm) can sneak up on you, and I just want to stay home and do nothing. Nope!
I wrote the blog trying to force some color into my writing, and then I found my new golden vest after showering. I dressed in my blue suit but with a golden vest, matching (sort of) tie, and my golden (cheap) pocket watch. To this, I added black leather shoes and my black homburg hat. I was bright and felt better. Gandi wrote you are to be the future you want, but I suspect he did not mean sparkly vests, but I was what I wanted–bright and cheerful. I am being the future I want!
And while you may think I am connecting with my inner Drag Queen, I am thinking more Wild Wild West (which is a reference most folks won’t know, so see here) and adventurers (i.e., Extraordinary Gentlemen). I also like to look cool–and the vest fits, so it all works. I found these bits at HISTORICAL EMPORIUM online.
Bright and ready to do church, I took Air Volvo in the grey morning and arrived without issue. The world seemed still sleepy when I arrived. It is the observation of All Saints Day, and Susie and Dad Wild are on the list to be called out as a saint, and a chime would be played. I cried through the songs and the calling out of the saints. I missed Susie and Dad today and felt the hole in my life that they once filled. For years, I spent Sundays with Susie in hospital rooms, facilities, and finally, at the hummingbird house. We tried church a few times in Beaverton at First United Methodist, but Susie would fall asleep and nearly fall out of her wheelchair. It was too much for her, so I stopped taking her, but instead, I spent the afternoon with her often until 5PM. Also, I used to call Dad on Sundays and Grandma and Grandpa, too. Now they are all gone. It is hard not to be overwhelmed–I cried a lot in the church service today.
Dondrea gave the sermon today, and she focused on how the first big issue, found in Acts, of the early church was solved by asking folks to take over the issue, a ministry of small things. Dondrea reminded us that we all can serve, which is a blessing for all. It may not be the sermon, but maybe something small you may be called to do. This small thing will be a blessing for all.
After the service, I was told that most of Susie’s clothing had been sent to the local schools. I heard that the church gals found a younger girl to help them, and she directed what outfits would work for young people, and those have been delivered. There are still a few bags left to find a home, but they are working on it. Excellent–a grand message on All Saints Day. Another small but vital mission. I also managed not to cry when I was told this–I am crying now while writing this. Finality is hard.
I wanted to wear my cool vest and clothes longer and headed to Red Robin for lunch. Next door was a new store, Humble Pie, and I bought a pecan pie and a small beef pocket pie from them. They have just opened, and I put my goodies in Air Volvo’s cargo hold for later use.
If you are feeling down, pecan pie is a good answer. I had a slice and felt better.
I sat at the bar and called Leta (we had missed each other on Saturday). I also connected with Barb and her family, but Barb was driving, and it was best to keep that discussion short. I talked to Leta for a while, and we caught up. The bartender, who told me I would have to wait, was doing too many tables, so I told her to take her time–I was not in a hurry. I rang off, happy to have connected with Leta, who loved the golden vest. The bartender was friendly once I told her I would wait, and it was fine. I then ordered my usual Ensalada Plater with two chicken breasts. I also ordered a Stella, Susie’s favorite, to raise a glass to Susie on this All Saints Day.
I had to ask for a knife and for salsa for my meal. Apparently, the wait staff did not know the menu as well as I did. I did not hold it against them; I was happy with the excellent food.
I finished lunch and used the machine to check out; I left without giving more work to the bartender. She seemed happy that I was going, but she wished me well, and we both look forward to another day when we can see each other again. It was pleasant.
Air Volvo was dry as the rains seemed gone for a short while, and I soon arrived home at the Volvo Cave. I put away the suit and various items in the closet and rested for a bit–the lack of sleep was hitting. I managed to rest for an hour. I then got up and arranged all of the paperwork for October into a binder. I reviewed and corrected the transactions in October, finding some mismatches and misassigned items. It was surprisingly bad and showed how hard it was for me to think clearly after Susie’s death on 13Oct2023. I untangled the numbers in Quicken, printed out the corrected summaries, added in some account statements that had since come in, and thereby closed the month. I started putting November’s first papers in the binder, too.
After that, I started to look at travel; I wanted to look at historical ships, so I decided to focus on the American Civil War (ACW) wrecks and surviving artifacts. I discovered that there are more partially intact wrecks in museums than I thought–there are more since the 1990s when I lived in Maryland. Georgia, the Carolines, and Virginia would be a pleasant visit to focus on ACW ships. I would also like to reach Washington DC’s Navy Museum. One complexity is that many important displays are only open on the weekends. So, I think in the winter, I will need to spend a week and two weekends viewing artifacts of the ACW in the American South.
I did look at some European options, but I thought I should try the USA ones first. I am passing, for now, on WW2 ships and Cold War items. For example, the USS Nautilus is in Annapolis, Maryland, the world’s first nuclear sub. There are some Spanish-American ships and fragments of Maine to find (the masts of the USS Maine are in Virginia and Maryland), and I might add that to the trip. It is so far a dream, but it looks like fun to do. More to follow, and I will be near many folks if I do this, so I may have folks meet me at specific locations as I do my tour. I wonder about popping up to NYC, or maybe Cat can come down–again, more to follow.
Next, I had Dungeons and Dragons on Sunday at 5:30. This was the first game without Cory, who passed away and had played with us for years (he died the same week as Susie, and they were good friends). Tonight, we returned to Matt V’s house to play at his usual gaming table. Matt made us burgers and salad for dinner. We played until 9:15, and we added Sean to our regular group of Scott, Karyn, and Mackers, plus me. We are playing Spell Jammers–Dungeons and Dragons in space, and our group is still hunting pirates. We are down to the two strongest ones on the list–We have a physical Letter of Marque to hunt pirates–so neat!
Tonight, my character, a Lawful Evil Cleric of War unimaginably named War, was hit by a catapult stone, two giant arrows from siege weapons, nearly disintegrated, and finally knocked unconscious from a fireball. In other words, great! I did get to turn the undead–all undead cursed pirates for this battle–twice, and that worked well. That made me a target, and I was worried I was going to need, again, a new character. But, as it was getting close, we finished off the bad guy and won.
I drove home in the now pouring rain–we have a massive storm of another river of rain–and finally got home. I have been writing for hours. It is getting late.
Thanks for reading.
Alohawild (Michael Wild's) Website 