It was not frosty, with blue skies and some hints of cotton-candy clouds here and there. Not at all what we expect in the Pacific Northwest in mid-March. And nothing we expected as we crossed the Ides of March (15th); we just enjoyed another three days of rivers of rain. Coffee was ready for me, and I was moving slowly again, and my memory was not working well, and I could not recall words, and I often entered a room in the house and wondered why I was there. I did not shake that until the afternoon, and my writing became a constant process of looking things up. I returned to the blog’s published text and made over 10 updates; I wrote mangled sentences, and Grammarly is not working properly anymore, and missed them. Before it would see them, I would revise them, usually adding a few words to finish the thought or removing extra connective words as I changed my mind in mid-typing and did not make all the changes. I think Grammarly has too much AI now to find simple mangled sentences.
Grammarly: I may replace it soon with another product, but my expectations are low, since a type-as-you-go product is not what the market is selling now. Instead, according to their model, I should submit my work to ChatGPT or like LLMs and have to return an improved text. Not what I want. I may have to write in MS Word and then copy back; I have had to do that before. I have used Grammarly for 375 weeks straight, according to its count, more than 7 years. It has enjoyed nearly 27 million words from me (or you should feel bad for it, having had such a terrible diet of my writing, and this may explain why it is going out of its AI mind).
I got the blog done just before lunchtime. Next, I heated up the leftover jambalaya, the red version. I had that while I watched some YouTube videos on Battleship Texas and other news, while I ate my food. It was a bit spicier than usual when reheated. I started on the laundry, leaving the bed to be changed on Thursday when I do my final packing.
I showered, scrubbed, and applied almost the last of my creams. The Skyrizi seems to be working, but I am willing to double up for now. I will be done with the creams about the time I travel.
I am clearing the family room (fireside room) and getting it ready for some work. Jeff is going to replace the floor with new vinyl interlocking tiles. He will have to demo my tile work from years ago. I have selected a wood-like pattern with white and brown tones to fit the carpet and the wood in the house. I think it will look better and certainly will clean up easier. I am tired of grout lines!
I binge-watched the second season of Foundation on Apple+. I did not get much more done than laundry, starting on packng packing, setting the combination on the new bag, and trying to bring some order to the house.
I decided to make dinner and defrosted a pork chop by running water over it. I found a jar of Alfredo Sauce and some nice pasta (from Italy) and made a nice salad (using the chopped leftover celery, green pepper, and a carrot). I had all of this going on when Jeff and his son showed up to measure and talk about the work, and Mom Wild called. She was lonely and unhappy because no one was visiting her. Linda has had some health challenges these couple of weeks, I explained, but Mom would have none of that. She demanded I show up now. I explained it was not possible as I was in Oregon, but she was sure a good son would show up. It was an unhappy call, and the Alfrado Sauce boiled over at the same time (Mom Wild has powerful VooDoo).
Jeff and his son who is much taller than Jeff and I measured out the area and we talked about the demo and I paid the first part of the work. He will do the pantry floor, the closet (still in the original gray carpet when the carpet people missed it, and I did not notice until later), and fix or replace some baseboards.
As Jeff says, there is no limit once you get started, and we stopped at changing the molding, repainting the walls, and going too far. We will let the kitchen and walls be. He will start the work next week when I am away. I have put off the mold control, as this seems more pressing to me (and since I can see it will not be depressing to spend the cash, enough for a nice trip to Paris).
With Jeff paid and measurements taken, and going with the basic rule, do what he would do if it were his home, while not trying to increase the scope. He will call or text me if I need to make decisions. His wife, Robyn, who used to live across the street when she was a little girl, will be helping him with my stuff. They will be moving all the stuff out (thus, while I am moving things now), and then she plans to find a new order for them. All good.
I then got my now slightly overcooked but not dried-out pork chop (I fried it with just oil, salt, and pepper), pasta in sauce (with extra sauce to slide the pork in), and a salad, and continued my binging of Foundation. Almost too much food, but I was hungry. Also, the guilt and stress (Mom Wild) always make me eat.
But I have lost five pounds from the rash, tummy issues, and chopping and cooking for about 8 hours. Down to 225 and headed to that elusive 200.
I took a short walk as it was a lovely day, and opened all the windows and doors. I made my ring goals based on my Apple Watch, which continues to suggest they might be set too low. Nope, I like the gratification. I stood when ordered and watched some of Foundation on Apple+. I enjoyed it and completed the whirlwind that was season 2. Wow! I missed all the clues, ugh!
I then dressed for bed, not starting season 3, and read more of the 1929 book by Mr. Sorkin, which is now into the thirties, as it covers the aftermath of the 1929 Crash and some remaining chicanery on the market, and now tax evasion. By 1931, it was clear that Hoover was done for and that his hands-off-and-then-on approach was failing to inspire the public. Again, the story is hard to put down.
I put the book down and soon fell asleep. I wake to my alarm at 7, having heard Susie’s voice at night, but I could not remember what she said. I suspect she suggested not overcooking the cabbage on St. Patrick’s Day, but just a guess.
Thanks for reading.
Alohawild (Michael Wild's) Website 