It was my first day without a job since the 1980s when I spent about six months between jobs. I rise slowly and don’t get started until after 9. I spend the morning out of focus and just keep getting distracted by the Internet, correcting some finance transactions in Quicken (all fixed now), and doing dishes. The blog I write has lots of asides and commentary. I’m not really focused, but I think the extra writing improved what would have been a short blog.
I am not six weeks out of major surgery, and I still tire easily. While I am never close to a fall, I do feel myself misstepping a few times. I am not ready to travel or pound through every day like I did before the surgery. I will forgive myself, go slower, and wait before I start flying red-eyes and doing all-nighter trips.
Corwin has started an unorganized move out of the house. I would prefer he go faster, but now he told me it will take a week. He did not have boxes or anything to move his stuff. He did sleep in his new place on Monday night. I want my bedroom back. I want my garage emptied so I can start to clear out some of my stuff so Air Volvo again fits. I want the Volvo Cave back in order.
Breakfast was a banana and coffee. I had been snacking (not good for my weight, but it helps me feel better), so I was less hungry. I was thinking of repeating my trip to Portland and the Chinese Garden, but decided on a less difficult trip, walking in Hillsboro Old Town. It also let me look at the antiques and look for something I could use. I table or an old book from the 1920s, the time of Call of Cthulu Role Playing Game (CoC) and H.P. Lovecraft writing. I look for technical books, travel books, and other documents that provide a glimpse of that time period.
Lunch is reheated pasta from a few days ago, and leftover salad from lunch with Dondrea and Z. It was good, but I heated too much and left more than half of the pasta and sausage for Corwin. I headed out to Hillsboro in Air Volvo and found finding a parking space was complex as there were no parking signs everywhere for the holiday, but I couldn’t tell which ones were for today and for later. I noticed one a block away that was not marked, took it, and soon, I was walking in Hillsboro. I want to get some steps in but not overdo it like on Saturday (just short of 5,000). I walk through the antique stores.
I found a 1945 US Accounting Handbook and then one, unpriced, for 1923; perfect. The lack of price means they cannot sell it to me. The antique store, like most, is a collection of vendors in a shared space. Sales are done by the collective, and the money is later paid to the vendors. This means the item needs a price, and a call to the vendor does not get a response. The Accounting Handbook is placed back on the shelf, with my name and phone number, with the hope that the vendor will respond. I have no immediate need for a 1923 Accounting Handbook, so I searched the store for other items, and nothing else got my interest.
I walk through downtown Hillsboro to Le Stuff, the other antique store and also a collective. This store has excellent furniture and often an excellent clock if you like those. I have bought some multi-drawer items from Le Stuff to hold my gaming figures and some old wooden crates that I use to transport gaming items. A crate that says “American Embalming Solutions” is perfect for CoC, and who does not want a crate that says “High Explosives: Dangerous” to carry gaming dice and other supplies? I am still looking for a desk, but so far nothing has interested me.
I stopped by the book exchange. There, they have a used Complete Dorthy Sayer for $9, which adds to the things I am carrying. I have been meaning to try her, and for this price, I can do all of her stories (of course, I could add this to my Kindle for likely the same price, but I still love physical books). I took my laptop with me in case I got tired and then could just write or surf at the coffee shop.
Hillsboro has an excellent Hobby store that focuses on model building and train stuff. I buy some brass parts I need. My feet and legs are beginning to feel less happy, so I walk back to the first antique store. No, the price is not set, and I will not be taking home the 1923 book today. There is a bakery on the way to Air Volvo. I find that some scones (poppy mango) and a slice of carrot cake are required.
Air Volvo whisks me back home without issues, and I will soon be making an early dinner: Trader Joe’s Orange chicken. I add frozen peppers (also from Trader Joe’s) and some frozen green beans. This is in a non-stick frying pan, but it is not making much progress. I get a lid, add water to the pan, and steam everything cooked. I then take the lid off and let the water evaporate, and the items brown a bit. My usual trick with stove-top cooking. I also make rice (also from Trader Joe’s) and manage not to burn it (I pour cold water on the bottom of the pan before I stir it–this prevents sticking and burning- another stove-top trick).
I had a few bowls because I was hungry, and they were good. I do have enough left that Corwin has it for dinner, too. Corwin begins his move out. I am restricted to lifting only 30 pounds and do not wish to risk balance issues; Corwin has to move out without my help. The walking, food, and just feeling well put me to sleep as I read. I wake up at about 7ish, make some tea, and do some laundry and dishes (again).
The wound leaves a tiny blood mark on the bandage, but the scab is still forming, and it is not quite closed. Almost.
I take a late shower and fall asleep within minutes, despite the tea and earlier nap. I wake later, proof hydration, and then climb into the covers. I wake again, repeat, and sleep the rest of the night this time.
The AC is on and set to 70F (21C) at the house. I will raise this to 73F (23C) soon as we are facing just short of three-digit temperatures (37C).
On investments, I rebalanced my 401K and dropped all the Nike stock holdings. I looked at rolling over the balance to PAX funds but could not find a link for the forms and process on their website (!?). On my eTrade account, I purchased enough Ford (F) to get to 500 shares ($12.55 a share) as I like the high dividend (4.7%) payments and the chance the stock will not fall much more (how much more could they actually do wrong after these past two years?). I also hold JP Morgan’s preferred D shares for the same reason (JPMORGAN CHASE & CO. 5.75% SHS PFD DD). The JP Morgan is callable, but interest rates have to fall before they will call it. These are the boring and uninteresting investments, perfect for someone retired. I will likely move more cash to boring equities as time goes forward (feel free to share your most boring, low-risk investment tips).
Thanks for reading.
Alohawild (Michael Wild's) Website 