Wednesday More Normal

I was not too interested in getting up early on Wednesday and did not. However, I did exchange ‘good morning’ texts with Deborah, who was already busy at work and would be busy all day in Eastern Time (three hours earlier). I rose, found my slippers, and found the kitchen (it had not moved), located the electric hot water kettle, French Press, and soon began the process of creating a fine hot beverage. Coffee was soon in my cup. Liberal, of course, and it tasted of Hope today. Maybe this day, the USA will find Justice, Compassion, and the love of Community. We The People would lose our fears and anger and realize that our neighbor is, though they may look and sound different, like us: Another family trying to make a go of it. The bitter, dark liquid whispers to me that liberal is just embracing the future and your neighbor without fear.

For those waiting for news on Air Volvo at the mothership spending my money with abandonment. I imagine Air Volvo is partying with the technicians and enjoying the spa. No word. Eventually, the money will run out, and Air Volvo will want to come home.

Air Ford (Escape) is a fine replacement for Air Volvo, and I liked driving it. I suspect, dear reader, you are shocked that I am starting to go both ways. Yes, Ford and Volvo. Euro and American (Kentucky). But sadly, I read in the press that the Ford Escape model will not continue. I read the Consumer’s Report on the model, and they complained that the vehicle shook and made a tinny sound at lower speeds; I have not experienced that with the 1.5L Engine model, they called out (the version Enterprise uses).

I do the usual items, including updating my Quicken transactions to see my balances, reading and mostly deleting emails, and checking the news. Another appointee from the incoming administration is likely to withdraw as the lack of vetting creates news stories. Chaos in political news in South Korea and France. I need more coffee!

I spent the morning writing, trying to remember Tuesday, and assembling it into a story. I skipped breakfast and just drank coffee and wrote. By late morning, I had completed the story and was able to publish it. I dressed, threw away most of the mail, boarded Air Ford (Escape), and crossed Beaverton and Portland traffic to reach IKEA. The faith in the here-after by some of the local drivers was witnessed in their extra-legal and near-fatal lane changes. One must have strong faith to drive like that! It is usually reassuring to be with people of faith, but I learned that the roadway is not a place for faith; it requires some concern for facing one’s Maker unexpectedly.

I was happy to arrive in Air Ford (Escape) intact at the IKEA parking lot near our airport, PDX. Yes, dear reader, we here in the Greater Portland Area never named our airport after some politician but instead named it by its call letters. I was happy to see from the parking lot that someone was in the cafeteria, and soon, I was enjoying 12 meatballs, gravy, and the usual fixings. I have been trying to have dinner there for months, but they are not open (even today) for dinner, just lunch. I used paper plates, disposable silverware, and a paper cup. The dishwasher is apparently not working. The cashier informed me that they had been having issues for weeks now.

I then walked the paths of IKEA and enjoyed looking at all the not-cheap and difficult-to-assemble furniture. There was so much temptation, but I remembered it was heavy, and I should not be lifting it. Then there are the hours of assembly. They offer free delivery if purchased before 10 December, and your total is over $399 (an easy number to reach).

I looked at the bedroom sets and tried the mattresses. I talked to the staff; they generally sell only cheaper ones. I liked the two good ones which were not cheap, but not expensive. Mom Wild called, thanking me for the flowers and a cookie for her birthday.  We talked about selling mattresses–memories of Wild’s Furniture and Appliance, “We Beat City Prices.” We retell the stories from the old store in Laingsburg and the trick to selling mattresses. You never have the top or bottom ones in stock, or there is a delivery fee or other nonsense, and soon get the consumer to believe they are getting a deal at an excellent mattress that is somehow middle-priced and better than the cheap one and that the expensive one is not worth the price and has some flaws making it a waste of money (mostly made up by the salesperson). Soon, you sell the mid-priced one that makes the most money and is in stock.  Mom Wild and I revel in the stories.

I like the best model of mattress, steel myself, and see that the note is for seeing the staff. I am told that they do have it at the other warehouse (there is another one?!), and I could pick it up (a queen-sized mattress tied to the top of a Ford Escape in a traffic jam in Portland is not something I want to experience), which gets an incredulous look from me. The staff member is not in the least affected by my look–Dad would have been proud of them. They calmly suggested I order online, and they were sure that would be great for me. Oh yes, I am dismissed. Linda would be nodding if she was here selling. Grandpa Wild is somewhere smiling. I could have the mid-priced one tomorrow. I smile and walk away.

While most consumers would be put off, I feel like I have come home. With a host of salespeople witnesses, I walk through the store thinking of family and remembering all the selling and sales. But there are meatballs, and soon, the memories and the witnesses gently fade. I collect a few treats for the holidays and frozen meatballs. I have to buy another IKEA bag. There are no checkers, and I have to do the checking myself. I will likely buy the mattress online.

I am relieved to load Air Ford with goodies (getting extra meatballs, jam, and a packet of gravy for Corwin). The trip back is without new lessons in faithfulness. I returned to the house formerly known as The Volvo Cave and unloaded the Swedish items. I chat with Deborah while driving there and back. We keep each other company when we drive.

Next, I return to First United Methodist Church near Old Town Beaverton, near the fountain, and across from the library. Dondrea appears soon with Z. Dondrea was in Idaho on a business trip, flew back, and, like me, crossed Portland from PDX to be here. Andrew and Z agree on Concordia for tonight’s board game. We will use the larger map of Cyrpus that Andrew picked. And we strive. We all know how to play, though I help here. Z builds non-stop. Andrew builds on the Island and pulls ahead. I buy cards and spread out my houses across many provinces. We have to stop when choir rehearsal starts (Andrew plays with us until choir starts while the Praise Band rehearses), and Andrew manages to buy the Weaver card as his last action. That gives him the game by three points. Next time! Z is back ten points from my score but was about to explode and would likely have gotten the end-of-the-game bonus and earned a win.

Next, Z and I played game after game of the tile board game Azule using our alternative scoring process—it is fast and easy. Deborah texted me a ‘good night’ and slept after I sent her a photo of Z and me playing Azule. Z crushes me utterly and is happy to finally win something.

Air Ford brings me home, and soon, I am reading and enjoying my new book, a political thriller by Hillary Clinton and Louise Penny. I am soon trying to sleep. The cramps and foot pain return. Simple painkillers work, and soon, I am dreaming mostly forgotten dreams, including a faded memory of selling with Susie rolling her eyes.

Thanks for reading!