I never changed time zones, so my sleep returned to normal Oregon, and I rose before 8. The house is cold as I return to no AC and is too-f**king-soon-to-use-furnace temperatures. I can suck it up, saving money and not producing carbon in my natural gas-fired, reasonably efficient furnace for another week. Cold and liberally happy with my choices, I make liberal coffee and steel-cut oats (which I don’t burn this time). I add a packet of nuts, raisins, cranberries, and some brown sugar to the oats. So good! The last banana (black and will soon rise as an undead fruit) is not consumed and sent to the trash. Yikes! A safe apple sauce (no sugar or anything but applies and ascorbic acid) fills in for my morning fruit.
I started the laundry, which would be ongoing all day using The Machine (a combination washer and dryer that uses no vent and a regular power plug). My water and power bills have been reduced since The Machine took over. Yes, it has AI, talks to me via an app, and quarterly software updates. It plays the famous notes of Beethoven’s 9th when the laundry is done. Corny, I know, but what the f**K, for the price, it should give me a back rub too.
I wrote the blog and texted often. It finished around 11 with a long story of Chicago and flying back. I dressed and soon headed out in Air Volvo. Chores. I stopped at the dry cleaners and took my now wrinkled suit to be restored to its previous elegance. Next, I stopped at the 185th and TV Highway fruit and veggie stand. I got lettuce for the tacos I planned to make. I picked a few more items for various meals (but realized I am busy every evening until Monday–social butterfly-ing). I had to park inside the area as the place was busy, and folks were waiting for me to move Air Volvo. Oops. I took a less direct route to the car wash, where I pay for daily car washes all month (if I want). The birds at PDX had located Air Volvo; ick!
With the Air Volvo clean and loaded with veggies and fruit (including 1/2 price fading bananas), I arrive at The Volvo Cave. The white neighbor’s cat apparently missed me and blocked me momentarily before deciding to walk away and let me use the driveway and street. I unloaded and stored the treasurers. I discovered my crisper draw in the frig was now an experimental lab. I disposed of the test subjects, many showing lycanthrope symptoms (furry); sad that I had not checked before, and some are not replaced.
My legs hurt, I am tired, and I am coughing. This is a day of rest for me. Like most Americans, this does not mean reading religious texts and contemplating the infinite compared to our short moral lives, but instead catching up on my favorite shows on cable. I completed the Murder in the Building episodes I have missed. This is a fun show, and this season is going well. Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power is a disaster of non-conical but exciting stories. I catch up and find all my favorite characters are suffering, and things are going poorly, which fits LOTR even with the sideways-going stories. While I find it strange to have only a vague idea of what is happening in a LOTR setting, it makes the story more interesting. Be warned, Rings of Power is strange, but it is still fun to enjoy Tolkien-like stories and the impressive special effects.
I make tacos to go with this. I use Trader Joe’s taco spice, and the meat is more of a hot chili now. I added a can of fire-roasted tomatoes and fire-roasted corn. I roast the taco shells with the cheese in them to melt them. I eat too many, stuffing them with lettuce before the meat so it stays inside. While I already miss the Chicago pizza and dogs, making a taco of my own is good. Next time, 1/2 the spices!
I am tired, meaning I get in my PJs after a shower. I try to read. It is too early. I rise and off to my laptop and Expedia. Four or more tries to get a week in New Orleans (NOLA) in October. Nothing is working as trying to make a week work. Finally, I accept $2300 for a trip for a week to a new hotel with a room with a balcony. I then add three cooking classes (two hands-on) and will likely plan more items I missed last time, like the river trip. And looking for vampires again. Plus, the excellent used book store. Yes, much to do.
With dreams of NOLA, I return to bed, close my eyes after reading a few pages of more murder mysteries set in French Canada, and dream words not in the story again. Yes, I dream-read. I close the Kindle and sleep all night.
Thank you for reading!
Alohawild (Michael Wild's) Website 