Monday And Starting Packing Again!

I woke up early and felt better than I did on Sunday. My sleep was disturbed, but I rose. It was not as hard going as Sunday, but the paperwork was endless as I paid bills, updated travel arrangements, and generally managed to burn away a few hours of the morning before I even noticed. I dressed, talked to Deborah (a most splendid distraction), and soon collected the soaking laundry and recently generated dirty laundry. This mass was loaded in the cargo hold of Air VW the Gray, after removing the paper-boxed board games (I don’t want to get those wet) and headed out on my new quest for clean clothing.

First, I needed dryer sheets. I got some liquid softener for The Machine once it is repaired, and then realized that the stack of quarters was still in the house. The Quest, as I call it now, was already in disarray as I retraced my steps to the house, retrieved the quarters, and started again. Next, realizing that I did not use the ATM at Safeway (I get a refund of all fees since moving my retirement to US Bank), eyes rolling, I stop at the US Bank ATM off of TV Highway, and then use the back way into McDonald’s–retracing again, get change and breakfast, and then pass the ATM again as I reached the Laundry Mat.

The place is hopping. I met a gal who is on a similar quest (“My machine broke two weeks ago”), and soon I was turning paper into metal, as the place only accepts quarters as payment. I put all my laundry in one machine, soaked and double-soaped, including the recent additions, and pay $7.50 for a thirty-minute run (there are smaller and lower-cost machines for smaller runs). The soap bubbles are impressive, but the sealed door and the size of the machine were sufficient to resist the soaping. The rinse and spin were impressive, and soon I used one of their wheel baskets supplied by the mat and loaded up two large dryers. These are American-style gas dryers, and my clothing quickly and efficiently dries.

The place is busy. I see huge piles of little towels being cleaned. I suspect a car wash with hand towels will be ready soon. Others are paying exorbitant fees for the one-use detergent boxes on sale. I see folks headed out and returning with new bottles of detergent after seeing those prices!

I pull the dress shirts out early, put them on hangers, and watch the wrinkles fade. While not as lovely as ironed shirts, these are still good enough for me. The same is done with the pants. Soon, I fold towels and wait for just a few 100% cotton items that seem to enjoy being damp. Finally, I rolled the basket with a hanger area to Air VW the Gray, loaded it up. I have a pocket of quarters, as I had to cash a $20 bill for quarters, but I will likely need to use the laundry mat again on my return.

I stop by the house, gather the laundry piles — already one is there and another from the laundry mat — and hang the items next to my packing area. I have to start packing for Asheville already! Next, the bank contacted me, and I needed to sign a transfer agreement to transfer a gift from my IRA to the church. Off to US Bank after talking to my Wealth Management Team. Soon, that was done. I am covering scholarships for some to take a trip down south to explore civil rights in November.

With the laundry arranged, paperwork done, and US Bank transfer in process, I could take a break. I headed to Wildwood Taphouse and there saw Jim V and JR for a while, but mostly I wanted to write and finish the blog. With a beer and the strange quietness that comes over me in a loud place full of people, I am able to get my focus back and work.

I complete the blog and publish it, and then book my part of the South trip in November (information here). I also revise the fantasy novel I have started and get Scrivener working. This is a tool for writing and organizing. It has helped me.

I return to the house as it gets near dinner time. I took a nap, as the illness from Sunday and the travel were catching up with me (and I had two beers). I reheat the leftover soup from the Chinese-style DoorDash food I ordered on Sunday for dinner. I do the dishes and put away the clothing that is not being packed. I write a summary of the last Dungeons & Dragons game and send it out (I take the notes for the group). Corwin stops by and startles me as I did not hear him. We agree that he will take me to the PDX on Wednesday morning.

I head to bed around 11 and manage to sleep. I do prove my hydration every two to four hours.

Thanks for reading!