Wednesday Malling

It is Thursday morning, and I am up late trying to remember yesterday’s events. They are slowly returning to me as a disorganized virtual bag of images—a puzzle that does not quite fit together. Let me try to bring this misty memory into focus and assemble a story out of it.

I rose late as that is the habit, and I seem to be doing of last. I vowed to do more today as I fought off sleep, found my slippers, and located the kitchen. It still has not moved. There, I assembled IKEA coffee, selected a croissant for breakfast–one I acquired yesterday at the bakery in Portland, and found an expired yogurt that was fine (it is yogurt). I put this on a plate and added some orange marmalade, my favorite, for the croissant.

I turned on the light for the orchids; the timer stopped working, and I have yet to diagnose the problem or purchase a replacement. Something I need to fix or replace before next Thursday when I am away for three weeks. The orchids need to be kept damp and require 14 hours of light.

I wrote the blog after Deborah, in Michigan, with a three-hour time difference, and I texted good mornings. It took the morning to write, and I read the usual emails and news and updated my Quicken transactions. I have every credit card and bank connected to keep a watchful eye on the accounts via Quicken.

I finished the blog in the early afternoon. For lunch, I had IKEA meatballs heated in the oven with some Costco potatoes. I also had the IKEA gravy packet and made it (adding some butter and milk as I had no cream). I cooked enough to have leftovers and extra gravy. I had the lingonberry sauce from IKEA, which went well with the meatballs. It was an excellent repast.

I cleaned up and dressed. My colon was resisting, and it would take focus from my day as it required attention. It would not decide to finally empty without massive effort until 3AM Thursday morning, with multiple trips lasting until beyond 4:30AM with me sleeping between exits. But finally, the ‘cork’ was out, and things started to flow more normally. Remember, dear reader, I am missing 25cm of my colon from treatment for colon cancer (plus chemo), so things work a little differently than before. I include the descriptions for others who might be reading and facing colon cancer or similar issues. It is part of my life, and I embrace it.

I have also noticed that my balance is suddenly off. I have to catch myself at least once a day. My doctors had suggested it would get worse, and I, while not surprised, had hoped I was through most of it. Nope. I now sway when my eyes are closed or not seeing the horizon for my eyes to help me keep my balance. Also, the loss of hearing on my left side means I cannot track sounds. Having a rental car means I cannot spot it as quickly as the Volvo (it’s some grayish Ford out there), and if I use the fob to make it honk unless I see the lights, it is always on my right (my only working ear). Unhelpful. I walked up and down the rows of cars until I spotted the lights on Air Ford (Escape)!

And as I am covering challenges, the Volvo return has no estimated cost or time. I sent a text (this Thursday) that I am running out of time as I travel on 19 December to Michigan for a three-week trip. I am tempted to ask the dealership if they want to buy it. I am thinking of donating it, but I am running out of time to do that. Enterprise Car Sales will likely sell me a Ford Escape with 20K miles for $20K next year. I like it.

Returning to the narrative, I love the mall at Christmas, but it makes me miss Susie, who loved Christmas and malls. Santa in his chair and folks dressed as elves (never mind that they are too tall) seem to bring the season to reality for me. I headed to the local Washington Square Mall in Air Ford (Escape), and with a few weeks to Christmas, the rush is not on yet (the kids are still in school). Beaverton and Washington Country have relented, and the endless road construction is over, and there is no traffic. The drivers, going slow, exhibit no extra-legal driving, and Beaverton’s Finest is nowhere to be seen. I did see a car speed through a well-guarded intersection, and the lights flashed. I did not know they did speeding tickets, too! Inventive, and the Porche owner will get a portrait from the City of Beaverton without Seasons Greetings or Santa and a bill (virtual coal).

I park at Macy’s and enjoy their specials but resist walking through the cooking section. There is usually something so well discounted that I must have it. It’s best not to even look! Macy’s has a distinctive smell from all the scents sold, which I think is excellent. Ode de Macy’s makes me willing to spend, and those new sheets were at a special discount. Maybe when I return.

I am soon happy as I let the retail Christmas love fill me. The mall is in holiday mode, with public space-safe artificial greenery tastefully added everywhere. I am here to get steps, gain 4,000+ on Wednesday, and enjoy the spectacle that is American Malls in December. There are more booths with unusual items, including Middle Eastern lights, which I had nearly bought in Istanbul. I am sorely tempted to get one but manage to walk by. The Dungeons and Dragons Official Waffle Maker, really, got a laugh and was nothing I needed.

A school orchestra was loudly playing holiday favorites near Nordstrums, which was surprisingly undressed for the holidays. Not even the $2,000 Christmas trees there a few years ago. But the store was busy.

I wished Santa a Merry Christmas when I walked by his seat. He returned the wish and then complimented my wool hat. I found the Airline Crew giving table and gave them twenty bucks as gifts for the holidays for kids. Williams Sonoma was dressed out for the holidays. It is an expensive addiction of mine. Nicholas, a sales associate, no longer young and looking marvelous in an off-white sweater, saw me and offered to wrap one of everything for me. We agreed it would be costly, but yes, I would enjoy that, but I demurred. I promised him I would return to the store after I finished my look.

I saw Stanely Tucci’s image on a banner for his cookware (I did not know he had a line of cookware), and I did not even eye the price. Nicholas listened as I told him I had a dream with Stanely Tucci last night. Deborah and I were on a tour of Italy with Mr. Tucci. Stanely said, “It is only a dream but good. You should really try this,” in his famous nonchalant voice, having his hands at Italy and a fabulous array of pasta. Nicholas laughed as we both could just hear Stanley Tucci saying that.

I saw that my colossal snowman cake mold, which was about two feet tall when assembled, was still on sale at Williams Sonoma. I made it only a few times. Susie had to hold it once when delivering it to a Christmas party, and it rocked as I braked in Air Volvo. Susie did not think it was funny. I then looked at her and said that if the airbags went off in Air Volvo, she would be covered in cake. This did not make her happier with me. A funny holiday memory that made me smile. I the cake and Susie arrived safe.

I walked more, listened to the live music, and enjoyed the holiday retail spirit of the place. The mall folks were all ready, but the rush was not yet. Wednesday was more a practice for the busy days to come. I made a full circle and returned to Williams Sonoma, which was busy now (its products are needed primarily for parties and preparations, so they sell now). I collected the items I saw in a basket and got in line to purchase them. I did get help once, as I wanted an item from the display and thought it best to ask for one from the backroom, which they were happy to deliver. Who does not need a Grinch-themed hot/cold beverage dispenser? Nicholas, now at cash/wrap, checked me out and was disappointed that I picked less than one of everything and jokingly told me they had a minimum purchase (my small amount of items totaled over $100) and that I needed to try harder. Soon, paying for a bag to hold my few goods, I wished him and the staff a good holiday (meaning sales), and they said they were on a good start; I know I did my bit.

Next, I headed out and wished Santa a Merry Christmas, and that got a smile. I stopped by to purchase flowers, but the person was on break, so I found more items I needed at the Made In Oregon store and then picked flowers. Susie and I always brought flowers from the mall to the hummingbird house.

Despite the alluring spending-now scent, I left Macy’s without a purchase. The up escalator is still not working, so I had to trudge up it. I managed to do that without balance or strength issues. Better. I eventually found Air Escape hidden behind a BMW so big that I think it threw out an anchor when it parked.

Next, I drove to the nearby hummingbird house. They had a Christmas Party today. I brought the flowers and Williams Sonoma Peppermint Hot Chocolate to Jennifer, Louis, and the facility. Michelle, the owner, was there, and many hugs and photos were taken. I told them briefly about my trip to New Orleans and other events. We all remembered Susie’s love of flowers and hot chocolate.

After a short visit, I left as they continued to prepare for the party; I was not staying (too sad for me). I returned to the mall for dinner at The Cheese Cake Factory. I managed a seat at the bar at the end and enjoyed a glass of the house red for happy hour prices. I had their famous Asian-styled salad and was hungry enough to finish it and some of the bread. I passed on dessert (plenty of cookies and other goodies in December), though I could hear the Keylime Cheesecake call to me. I turned my left ear to the siren call of the creamy baked goods, paid the bill, and quickly exited the establishment, dodging food and waiters as my chair backed the main travel lane from the kitchen to the bar area. Yikes!

Z and I planned to play games this Wednesday night, and we soon met at First United Methodist Church. We were down Andrew, who was traveling. I picked a map for Concordia’s board game that we had not played before. There are Fish Market rules for the Balearica map that go on for four pages but are not required to use the map. There is an alternative setup with the ships (called colonists in the game) starting this island-based setup. We learned that land-based colonists could only reach some cities, which could only be placed with a colonist card. We played, as usual, with the Forum add-on. This gave my Senator card the same power as a Consul card, which would give me the game.

Z and I played to win, though I made a few comments when Z played something that could be in a better order, and we found a better plan for Z. I misplayed terribly at first, paying too much for the Farmer card (which would also help me win) when I could have used my Forum power. Z’s Forum ability could sell wine for 8 coins, which was a significant reason for the high-scoring game Z completed. We found the map challenging and stressful as we both pushed the limits to win. I won, but Z was charging at me throughout the game. A very immersive match; we had a blast.

Furnace was our next game, and we were only playing the base game. We managed to play a single game for two players (using the two-person rules, which include a third artificial player), and I was only four coins ahead. This is another favorite fast and small footprint game. I recommend only the base game, but the add-on can be fun. It adds many new production types, and the winner often has learned those rules the best. I upgraded my version with Scythe realistic-styled oil and metal replacement for the wooden parts, metal coins, and metal gears from Esty.com.

Choir practice finished, and I headed out. I watched some more of Doctor Who’s 1970s classic versions. This is the last episode for the original actor playing the Master (he is killed in a car accident). While embarrassingly dated, I still like the story.

Soon, I will be reading and in my PJs after showering. I managed to sleep for a while. I start Thursday late.

Thanks for reading.