Friday Blur of a Day

I am writing this Saturday, and Friday is a blur, and I am having trouble finding the focus to write today. Instead, I have paid bills and chased some hacker items. I use antivirus software on my Apple, and it has been detecting attempts to break into it lately. Not successful. Hmmm.

I am still tired and lost in the evening, as I am still jet-lagged and partially in the Easter Time Zone (-3 hours). I have also not gone grocery shopping, but I have enjoyed the salami-and-cheese sandwiches. I picked up cheese and salami before heading out for a week, and I keep the bread in the freezer. I have also started most of the Fruitcakes out into the world. I have sent them all ASAP, as in this world, who knows what might happen if I have them dated for Christmas delivery.

I have watched all my unreleased losses in my IRA with US Bank Wealth Management reversed; I cannot believe the amount of churn in the markets. It is plus or minus 5% in a month. Not a great sign for stability.

Another quarter goes by, and my dividends and interest are paid for one last time in 2025. And while not a tremendous amount now that I have enjoyed so many trips and adventures, I still have my money working for me. My dividend stocks are still paying better than CDs. And while I believe that rates should be 5% for a healthy economy (we are at about 4% and likely headed to 3.something%), others want cheap money and risk a recession and/or inflation, I prefer more stability.

For those who forget, stability means Wall Street has no reason to lay off people. That churn ends, and their fees vanish. Prices stabilize, and there is then downward pressure on insurance, utilities, and other monthly costs. No more claims that due to this or that, they must raise prices. Inflation ticks down. Meaning Wall Street does not make vast fees, and politicians are forced to consider balanced budgets and responsible government. It is not perfect, as existing discrimination often spirals out of control and other imbalances are not addressed (though, over time, with stability, they become blatant and are addressed), but it would create some clarity. Which is precisely what Wall Street, politicians, religious leaders, and other shouters of chaos do not want. Clarity and sunlight are not favored at this moment. I dream of stability.

Returning to the story, I rose later and missed the sunrise, which is often in our winter, just changing the sky from black to gray. I was happy that the coffee was ready. I had gotten the assembly right the night before and pushed the right button on the coffee maker for timed delivery at 7AM local.

I found my focus, wrote the blog, and started another load of my travel laundry. I spoke to Deborah a few times as she was getting new laundry delivered today. I managed to finish the blog, shower, dress, and do the laundry in The Machine. I made a quick sandwich and opened a can of baked beans (I bought a case of them, and I think after a year, I am now finishing them; though there is likely one can lost in the pantry that I will see two years after it expired; that is how pantries work).

I boarded Air VW the Gray and headed to the TriMet MAX station, and soon was reading on my phone and traveling to Portland. The city is dressed in lights, and, with the damp, it looks like a painting where the colors are suggested by a brushstroke. I exited the Library and walked through Teacher’s Park, which had a Winter Village with soap bubbles blowing into the air for snow.

I found the new entrance to the Portland Art Museum, which is now reopened following the rebuild. It is lovely, but it is still a limited collection. I walked, getting advice from the staff, from the top, and worked my way down.

I discovered I had forgotten that Friday was the tree lighting at the park that adjoins First United Methodist Church, and I planned to do that. Forgot to add it to my calendar! The usual excuse, how could that be now?

I quickened my walk through. I am a member; there is no charge to walk through, and I managed to get back to MAX quickly, so even my trip back was free. Did the whole trip for $2.80! I stopped by a shop and got some postcards of Portland.

I read a bit, but nodded off, and then just enjoyed the ride back. I got in the EV, crossed Beaverton, stopped at Winco for more apple products, and reached the church while the Methodists were setting up. I supplied three gallons for the hot cider giveaway.

Emmaus, the other church that shares our buildings, was set up, and they have a tent with their logo printed on it. I pointed out the nice tent to the Methodists; I want one for us with our logo. Soon we were giving out hot cider while Emaus was making hot chocolate. We handed out flyers and our schedule for the Christmas service. I had a lot of cups of cider, and we had coffee too. I was cold and missing my hat (I ordered new hats today).

I took a break and walked through the tents, where folks were selling holiday items. Sort of a version of a Christmas Market. But much reduced, as ICE raids in the area mean many folks are not signing up to sell, and the crowd was much smaller, and far fewer Spanish speakers are in the mix this year.

An Asian family sold me a Christmas Wreath and then could not swipe my credit card. I put the card numbers in for them, and that worked. I then placed the wreath on our table, and that added to the look. The wreath is now on my door at the house and looks marvelous.

The tree was lit and my colon, almost at the same time, and I was now having a conversation that involved a sudden possible movement. With the recent travel and the cancer shortened pathway, it is best to head home and stay there for a while. I managed to avoid any challenges. I said a few quick goodbyes, very quick.

Now feeling cold and uncomfortable, I ordered Chinese food for too much money and had it delivered. This is my go-to when not feeling well. I watched various YouTube videos on naval battles and history. Mary Beard on Rome is always recommended (as are her books).

I enjoyed the food; East Harbor does an excellent job. I watched some history, hung my shirts up from The Machine, did the dishes, and prepared the coffee machine for another morning. I then found my PJs and my bed and soon disappeared into various dreams of traveling and other dreamworld markets. All of it is faded now, but I was busy in my dreams, traveling and enjoying dream holidays and markets with family and friends, some of whom are now only in my dreams.

Thanks for reading.