The day started with me rising with the sunrise. I was sure that when I got my pills last night, I was again recording when I take them to avoid missing a dose, and that I assembled the coffee. Nope. I made coffee. Collected the chocolate croissant I made a few days ago, a banana, and headed to the office. The cute Raspberry Pi 500 with its matching screen and mouse awaited me. So strange to be running off an SD Card. The new 500+ version, besides having, like this one, the computer board built into the keyboard and all the ports moved to the back, also includes a solid-state hard drive. It seems so extravagant after all these years of SD cards, at about $400 for everything! But mostly out of stock as folks like me cannot resist them.
Note: With me traveling about 1 out of 4 weeks last year, I have found less interest in things and more in experiences and people. Also, seeing places where history unfolded, or shipwrecks, has been a focus. I have missed some boardgame updates and some improvements in computers and AI, but I have no regrets, quite the opposite. Climbing wet and insane steps to waterfalls with Deborah in Iceland is certainly better than a new Raspberry Pi. Really.
I wrote the blog and was mostly done around 9:30, but then got distracted by doing laundry (it is Friday, laundry day), picking up a few things here and there. Deborah is coming to visit for a week on Monday (delayed by family events). Deborah, who was beset by family events, did call me before things got going, and we agreed that an upgrade for the flight was a good idea, as her week had been tough with family events, rescheduling, and even a broken doorknob.
I finished the blog, got the mail, and published it. I also watched the next installment of ShipHappens as they continue to fix up a small WW2 wooden-hulled warship. I stuck to short videos, though those geology lectures are fascinating. Makes you want to walk out to some rocks with a hammer and sign up for another degree in local geology. But that would mean giving up traveling; I will just be an armchair geologist (in the same way I climb mountains, in books).
I received the written denial of my CT scan to ensure that the colon cancer has not spread. I used to get these from UnitedHealthcare, denials of service (that is a computer joke), and I will now apply for an exception with Regence. It is frustrating as the return of the cancer, if it comes back, if quickly spotted, will likely be a quick fix or (more likely, unfortunately for those who have colon cancer) an opportunity to enjoy a quick spend-a-thon with the few years I would have left. Colon cancer once spreading is hard to fight as it responds poorly to chemotherapy; at least that was the story four years ago. There has been a ‘moon-shot’ spending from Obama, Trump’s first term, and the Biden Administration on cancer, and the treatments have drastically improved in the last five years. But not getting a CT scan seems a bad plan. My doc and I will see about getting this approved (I believe they may have mis-coded, too). The spending is being cut now by RFK and Trump 2. Hmmm. Growl.
Lunch is more fish sticks (“Fish fingers” in Doctor Who) wtih potato pancakes. All frozen products from Trader Joe’s. It just required some parchment paper on a sheet pan (technically, a 1/2-sheet pan). I had this with tarter sauce and sour cream. I read for a while. I finished up the laundry and organized a few more things.
Somewhere in the afternoon, I bake a pumpkin pie using my family’s off-the-can recipe. It is perfect and familiar. I have a warm piece and then one after dinner. Corwin has one (as does Hank the Doggie, as pumpkin is OK for them).
I also have a liberal fit and joined the Justice Department’s Freedom of Information process (you have to have a user) and filed a request on a clearly improperly redacted image from the Epstein Files (Jack had the image on Facebook). I am not good at protesting, but I can file paperwork and run tickets (ask anyone about my gate-keeping at the shoe company). My request, with the image attached, is now a FOIA request:
Corwin stopped by with his new dog, who seems neurotic (more cat than dog-like). The doggie ran around the house, mostly panicked that it was loose. It became happy and relaxed when on a leash. Corwin washed the windows that had been splattered when he cleaned the gutter for me a few weeks ago. So for $70, I had the vacuuming done, the toilets, sinks, mirrors, and floors mopped, and the windows are clear again. Not a bad price. Corwin, who needs $, has been hired to repeat the inside housework for $50 a week. I needed this done, and I am not finding the focus (or the desire) to clean. Corwin has asked that, at some point, I will withhold the payments and invest them for his future. Corwin, reading some investment literature, has learned the effects of compounded interest and reinvestments. He even used DRIP in the correct context. Berkshire Hathaway’s fractional investment DRIP seems to be his thought. Now there is a theory I can get behind!
Somewhere in the day, Air VW took the Gray to the local US Bank machine, got out $ for Corwin, and paid him. It was the only time I left the house, except to visit the mailbox. Corwin then dusted while I cooked. He dusted for his dinner.
Corwin looked hungry, and I had two NY Strips that needed some cooking. I had not planned this, so they had not spent the day in salt and drying in the fridge, but I could still give it a spin. I baked them at 200°F until they reached an internal temperature of 120°F. I, smoking-hot, cast-iron skillet finished them (next time I will add more salt, as a salty crust works well). Frozen green beans (again from Trader Joe’s, as I was running out of veggies). I also had frozen, oily, and lovely garlic bread from Whole Foods that I reheated to a gooey, happy mess. I have a recipe for focaccia bread and I will have to make that next time when I have better planning. Alton Brown’s NY Strip process was excellent, and no grills or broilers. I don’t have a smoker, but I am slowly leaning toward it. Alton Brown suggests smoking at low heat and to an internal temperature of 120°F. He also uses a remote sensing thermometer (my birthday is coming up; hmmm).
(NY Strip ala Alton Brown, gooey garlic bread, and green beans)
Dinner was lovely and deep into meat and protein, but I did raid the bread multiple times, ruining a high-protein diet, but it was soooo gooood. There was actually some left over. We watched, with Hank the Dog in the window on a heated blanket, finally calm but watching from his perch, more of The Agency. Corwin is not that attentive, and I call Deborah and we say good night and I let her know (after a second call) that I have a romantic hotel room in Astoria (for $75 not the $320 St V-hiked price, a nice reservation at decarli’s (always in lowercase), and even tickets to tour the only Wright House in Oregon, Gordon house in Silverton. Yes, we have a plan again.
Corwin heads out, and I do the dishes. After reading more Hail Mary, I like where this SciFi goes, and it is within known science. I am back at the Raspberry Pi and watching YouTube, and somehow it is 11!
Another day that ran away like sand through my fingers. It is strange that days when they were filled with Zoom meetings at the shoe company seemed like pages of a book that just turned (sometimes it felt like a wind of events was blowing the page turns instead of me turning the page). Now each day is real and full of things, and runs by so fast. But I find meeting with people, playing games, writing, and living all seem to melt the day like warm, melting butter running through my fingers: Delicious and comfortable and ready to bake some nice memories. Still, it seems very pleasant, even the health stuff.
I read for a while in bed, but it is later, and I soon nod off while reading and put the Kindle away and sleep. Dreams come, but are now forgotten or just fragments. I believe I was in dream Portland with Deborah, walking the streets, and considering places to eat or visit.
Thanks for reading!
Alohawild (Michael Wild's) Website 