Day 106: Relaxing Friday

I am writing this story on Saturday morning, a gloriously sunny and warm day–not our usual March. The tradition is that March comes in as a lion or a lamb and then leaves the opposite. Today is so glorious that if we leave March as a lamb, this is more like lamb chops grilled and served with great sides or a lamb in spiced curry with naan. I cannot imagine a better version of lamb.

Yesterday, the skies were grey and blue, and the temperatures were now entering the fifties (10C). I had suggested a picnic to Dondrea and Z to consume the various smoked fish I had acquired on the coast, all local. I picked Cathedral Park in the St. Johns part of Portland (named for the Art Deco-styled 1931 bridge with the same name). The cool day threatened the plans, but I held on to the idea.

I wrote the blog while I waited for Dondea and Z to decide if they wanted to risk the cold. It was long, as Thursday was a busy day for me. I like busy days. Next, I dressed. Rev. Steve supplied Harry’s best razor to me, and I agree that it is the best shave. It is recommended. Thanks, Rev. Steve!

Susie’s Concert in Michigan on 18 May 2024, at Grace UMC in Lansing at 2PM, is moving forward. Joyce will recall memories of Susie for us, and Susie’s family will make the grilled cheese sandwiches and cookies. John Nilsen will be joining us at the concert. It is coming together.

Here the fleet is drying overnight before the final dull coat (the reflections will be gone once that is lightly applied–just a dusting).

Still looking for white smoke, I loaded the car after rewashing my picnic basket with plates, silverware, and other valuable items, including a cheese knife and a bottle opener. I put the fine coastal products in the cooler, a styrofoam box, and an ice pack I keep in the freezer. Next, I returned to painting the fleet of WWI 1/6000 tabletop ship models for gaming. I think this is a cheaper and easier-to-use scale. The range of 15,000 yards is only a foot or so. Larger models, and I have paper versions, require whole tables or, for WW2, a large floor. The figures can also be used in hex-based wargames to replace paper counters–just to look good.

Note: This is just an example of a WW2 model. The ships built in the late WWI and WW2 were larger. This is KMS Bismarck versus Hood–A famous battle. In this visualization, the Prince of Wales is on fire. In the original battle, Bismarck’s superior targeting hits with an underwater shell under the Hood’s armor and explodes, fatally the magazines. This is repeated in The Price of Wales and hits less important areas. History would have been different had the shell hit been in a magazine. This conclusion is from a recent battle review, and it fits better with my thinking. A lucky British shell hit Bismarck’s fuel storage in the unarmored front of the ship, which meant Bismarck had to return to port (Oil mixed with seawater does not burn well), which set up the loss of the ship. The code breakers could track the ship, and soon it was sunk, a footnote in WW2 but a major event in WW2 naval history.

White smoke! Yes, coats will likely be needed as it is cooler at the river. I leave with plenty of time. Dondrea and Z will hit a snag on their way in. St. John’s Bridge has only one entrance due to a road closure/repair. I took, using NAV, Cornelius Pass Road, and Air Volvo, and I saw the stopped pickup on time. The bright sunlight prevented me from seeing the somewhat faded brake lights and turning signal. I think the driver had it in neutral and no brake lights. We stopped in time, with tightening seat belts, alarms, and slamming breaks, and did not shake up too much of the stuff in the cargo area. Just a typical day driving in Oregon.

I arrived and found just the lid ajar on the food. I found a nice table in the park, read, and waited. The sun was warm, but the breeze from the river was icy. I had my usual sweater and was cold but too proud to put on a coat. I reveled in the sun, and soon, the day warmed. Or I was used to the cold. We planned 1:15, but it became 1:30 as Dondrea found an alternative way to Cathedral Park.

I brought the picnic basket from the cargo hold, a 1990 wedding gift, and supplied plates, glasses, silverware, and clothes. I had paper products, salmon, and sturgeon (smoked) in the cooler. Dondrea and Z brought fine crackers, cheese, and pickles. We dug in, and Dondrea and Z learned how good smoked sturgeon can be.

We chatted, ate our fill (making dinner unnecessary), walked around the park, and headed to the river. The Willamette River is a short, wide river that connects to the Columbia River on both sides. It passes through Portland and is dredged to allow the Port of Portland to function. There is a sandy beach below the bridge and docks to allow swimming and paddling using boats out of the main channel and current. I believe we will be back in the summer for another picnic.

It was a relaxing time. Next, Dondrea and Z had a mission: summer clothing for Z, who objected that jeans and shirts were good. Her objections fell on deaf ears—Z learned the definition of LBD.

We said our goodbyes, and Air Volvo, reloaded with leftovers and dirty dishes in the cooler, took me back to the Volvo Cave by retracing our early course. There were no sudden stops this time. I did not get a comment from Air Volvo on my attention; I was cautious this time—still remembering the sudden stop earlier.

There, I continued with painting and finishing the fleet. I got to the point where all the models needed time to completely dry, so I rested. I was not expecting to sleep and dream.

I dreamed I was on yet-another-international trip; his one was not a business trip, and I was traveling, as is my usual now, alone. I was in an Asian location trying to get from the hotel to the airport. It was an excellent hotel, arranged, like many airports, in a circle. I was not nervous or rushed (also how I travel now–never worried) and just walked through the locations. Dream logic was that everyone addressed me in slightly accented English. I was introduced to the hotel owner, who smiled condescendingly and walked off (yes, my new anti-corporate outlook surfaces even in my dreams). I tried to get lunch for the trip to the airport, but I was told they would need permission. Obviously, I was not the correct type of guest to get food. I was disappointed but not the least surprised. The dream fades as I leave the hotel and look for a taxi. I will eat at the airport.

When I wake up, I am tired. I nap again for ten minutes and manage to rise again. Back to the painting, I clear the buildup of dirty dishes in the kitchen. I need to wash the picnic basket set, so I put that in the dishwasher, too.

I play music on the Apple laptop and then move to the fireside room, where my painting and model-building stuff is set up. I worked on the fleet and even finished the Zeppelins. In WWI, the Zeppelins were used to naval reconnisences. However, there was little training or experience in 1916 in their use, and according to historians, it was of no value. Alternative histories are available, and gaming rules that make them more effective. Most crashed, and the crew losses were high.

Corwin appeared between driving; he is trying to raise funds by working as a food delivery driver. Today, it is working better for him, and he has a goal. I point him towards the salmon, and he consumes much of the leftovers in a sandwich and out of the bag. He has only a short break and heads out to deliver food until the late evening when the food runs slow (the restaurants close about 9-10 here).