Saturday Groceries and Gaming

I rose at 7 after my alarm, but first I rolled over and rested for 30 minutes or more. Coffee was waiting for me as I had correctly set up the coffee pot the night before. I put my last load of clothing from the trip into The Machine, and a few hours later, my shirts will be on hangers and ready to use. I will check whether Beaverton Dry Cleaning boxes shirts for my next trip.

I wrote the blog for most of the morning, but managed a peanut butter toast and took my meds (always better with food) somewhere in the writing process. I spoke to Deborah for a while; we are trying to get back to morning and evening calls. Deborah was waiting for her new laundry. It was delivered, and the delivery folks, in a rush, did not tighten the hoses, and Deborah had a leak that they fixed on a quick return.

I can imagine Dad ‘talking’ to the drivers about proper testing and double-checking the hoses, always new for a new appliance, and natural gas lines. I only mention it because it reminded me of delivering laundry with Dad. Dad checked everything and ran everything, collected the warranty cards, filled them out for the customers, and mailed them from the store to ensure coverage. It is also where I learned how dollies and leverage worked. We delivered heavy things downstairs and had tools to remove doors if we needed. We surprised the customer by showing that we, not strong guys, managed to get their appliances delivered.

Returning to my story, I soon showered, shaved, and dressed. I reheated the wonton soup I had ordered the night before and had that for lunch. I watched another episode of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, and it reminded me of The Magicians, as it changed the story into a fairy tale. The ending and the whole story seemed forced to me, but still well done, and I was crying uncontrollably. Grief sneaks up on you sometimes.

I did the dishes and headed out to buy some groceries. I took Air VW the Gray to the local Market of Choice, as I wanted some cheeses and meats for a meal I was preparing. I find that a meal I make is often 1/4 the cost of a restaurant meal, less likely to cause me to gain weight, and frequently better. This is known to most folks, but I have to remind myself.

I talked to Amanda at the cheese counter, and she remembered me, but we both needed to be reminded of each other’s names. She found a locally made blue cheese that was expensive and a small batch ($18 for a slice), and an excellent hard cheese from France for 1/3 of that. Perfect. I had passed by the $40+ Château Graysac Médoc wine I used to drink in Maryland and Oregon when I could find it (it was a lot cheaper when I worked for the distributor). It is overpriced, but the 2015 is impossible to find, and it was rated 91 when new. Hmmm. Yes, I bought it this time (there is even a Kosher version!).

I got thick-cut pork chops, Italian-style sweet sausage, and a few basics. I got precooked chicken for $8, since raw ones were more expensive (the mystery of American grocery-store chicken). I got locally made potato salad and coleslaw to go with the chicken. I forgot coffee. I soon checked out, and my checker, a human, all but danced and threw the items in the air. It was quite a show.

I returned home and unloaded my goodies. I got eggnog despite the calorie count, as it is a favorite, especially with rum and nutmeg sprinkles. But I did resist that, for now, and had a small cup with dinner. With all the shopping done, I called Deborah, and we watched another episode of Matlock, the Kathy Bates version, in the new season. It is still great.

With the episode completed, I said good night to Deborah, boarded the EV, and headed to Richard’s house. I did call Deborah while I was driving. The traffic was heavy, and the going was slow, but I had just around an hour and arrived ten minutes before our 6PM play time. Kathleen was delayed about twenty minutes. We played the board game La Patisserie Rococo, a reworking of a favorite, Rococo, now about making desserts (instead of dresses).

The game turns, and the constraints seem easier than the original, and the theme feels more developed. Everyone, five of us (Laura and Chris finished out our regulars on Saturday, Richard, Kathleen, and me) liked the game, and Kathleen showed and stole the game with more than twenty points. I was fourth, but only two points behind Chris and less than ten behind Richard. Laura was only five points behind me.

Kathleen, as she often does, noticed that certain cards combine to create a point and money-generating patterns, an ‘Engine’ in game-speak. She thinned her hand as she added those. Next game, we’ll all be more like Kathleen!

I loved pretending to bake and display my desserts. I only understood some mechanics as we played. I look forward to another game next week. I am already tempted to buy this game.

I did not stay long, as it was a quick four hours of gaming. The game was intense and fun, and time went by unnoticed. The travel back to Beaverton was without incident.

I was soon home, crawled into bed, and likely dreamed of baking and of the people who are gone now. In the morning, I found the living room fan and light running, and Susie’s glass case light on. The house was dark when I went to bed. Sort of a reminder, I think, of a reminder ‘that it will be OK.’ I cried again, this time with relief, when I saw it.

Thanks for reading.