Monday Slow Going

I rose early, but Monday was almost without plans. I had only a Pathfinder game (a game based on an early version of Dungeons and Dragons that went a different direction) in the early evening. Instead of starting the blog, I decided to make biscuits from scratch and make scrambled eggs with some ham. I’ve used up most of my flour (I need to order more King Arthur flour). I have Bakewell cream and baking powder, and I used those ingredients in the recipe. I had to chill some milk as I use only shelf-stable milk. Deborah got pictures as I went.

Soon, I retrieved the two pans of biscuits, brushed them with melted butter (which I had forgotten), and let the biscuits bake until they were just browned. Next, I grabbed some leftover ham that I had frozen. Microwaved it with some water and then sliced it into small bits. I then put that in a small non-stick pan and browned it, almost burned it. I wrote a card to Mom Wild and ran the now-stamped and addressed card out to the mailbox before the mailperson arrived; the pan got too hot while I was doing that. I managed to salvage the ham, wipe out the pan, and add the eggs to the hot pan.

This fine repast, with marmalade on my hot biscuits, was enjoyed as I watched another episode of Poker Face on the Peacock cable channel. Next, feeling full, I found that the mail had been delivered. This included all the mail that was on hold and multiple boxes. I sorted and opened the boxes.

My new spirit boards from the same folks who put on the H.P. Lovecraft Film Festival were included in the mail. I ordered two. It was perfect (except my name was assigned an ‘E’ instead of ‘R’ for my middle name–I would not be using my name when using it as a prop, it was fine). The box, printed in bright reds and black, evoked the look of an old 1920s board game.

With the mail sorted, I returned to my office and added my new Delta Gold Amex to my accounts, and now it is my default card in Apple Pay. I then called VW and inquired about the status of my repair. They were supposed to call me when they had the parts for the safety recall on the Air VW Gray, and now the vehicle was complaining it needed to head to the mothership. They have the parts and could schedule the work, it takes two days (!). August 4th, with a Sunday drop-off, was agreed to. I would not get a loaner, as that would require the dual requirement of a repair slot and having a car to loan me, which is likely months away. I will live without a car, get a ride from a friend if I need one, Über, or rent one. Finally, I called the Nike Health Insurance processor and learned that I cannot extend my COBRA beyond December 2025. They suggested that I contact UnitedHealthcare to see if they have a transfer offer to one of their plans, or search the Oregon healthcare offerings.

Now, with all that done, I started in the late morning to write the blog of the quiet day that was Sunday. That took a few hours with the excellent interruptions from Deborah. We discussed travel options for the future and other topics.

With the blog posts, I showered and all that. I finished the rest of the liberal, Fair Trade coffee. I put the spare spirit board in Air VW the Gray’s cargo hold and headed out. First, I tried Happy Panada for some familiar Chinese-style lunch. I chatted with Deborah about cruises on the way and then looked at some options while I had lunch. My waiter and I talked, I was the only customer and a known to them (not quite a regular, but often), about cruises and travel. We even looked at some of the options that Deborah sent me. This is me in my full social-butterfly mode.

With lunch inside me, I called MattV, and he was home. I soon arrived, rang the bell he had in his yard, and entered. MattV loved the spirit board, and Niki, his wife, also approved. MattV and I then sat outside; I was drinking coffee (jet lag!), and we discussed investments and the structure of politics in the USA. It was nice to enjoy the fabulous day in his backyard and chat.

I returned home, and despite the busy day and pleasant chats, I felt sad. I missed Deborah and being on an adventure. I know the sadness will pass, but it’s a good thing. I should miss her and our adventures. Instead of resisting, I relished the sadness.

I planned to leave at 4:30 to grab something and drive to Sean’s house in Portland, but somehow it was 5:25 when I read the clock. I lost an hour! I rushed to Portland and soon found myself going slowly in Monday’s rush hour traffic. I arrived twenty minutes late.

Sean was starting a Pathfinder campaign, and we got our characters created, a start on backgrounds, and a start on a story. We will pick up with some adventuring on 4 August.

I was tired; the jet lag was showing. I arrived home without issues and soon fell asleep.

Thanks for reading!