I rose on Saturday from my newly made bed after 7, having woken at 5:45, rolled over, and then woken again and again, finally rising after 7. I had only plans to play games at Richard’s at 6. Later, I learned we would play the board game Isle of Cats, not my favorite, but not a bad game for the end of a sunny and bright summer weekend, I decided. I would score third. I had forgotten how to play and did not focus enough on the cards, but I enjoyed fishing for cats. It goes for about $45 and is easy to learn, and is a pattern-matching and resource-management game with the usual Euro secret scoring cards. There are many add-ons now, and for $250, you could get all of them plus a storage solution. The basic game is good, and all I have played. Recommended.
I wrote the blog and made a pot of coffee. I was talking to Deborah when I was still waking up and forgot to put water in the coffee maker. I then added four cups of water, guessing that was about right, and withdrew a cup early in case I was wrong (there were no spills). I had too much coffee, using a larger cup, and consuming three before I recognized the bounciness of being overcaffeinated. Oops.
I ignored the news but did watch Stephen Colbert’s superb ending to his show, with dancing and singing, here. He went out singing with friends and the band. It makes you smile and cry at the same time. Recommended, highly recommended.
I was not in a hurry, and I did not really finish the blog until after 11. At first, the story was a mishmash of overcaffeinated wanderings, with Grammarly throw-up on most of it, but at least the AI could find spelling mistakes again. It has been out of its AI mind of late, but it seems to be back to being useful again.
I hate to plug the EV in during the day, as it consumes high-in-use juice instead of the sleepy, plenty-of-overnight grid power. I managed to add a few percent, but I would be around 40% and lower all day. I would get it home after returning from Portland, with about 35%, and again forgot to plug it in (yes, I plugged it in this Sunday morning).
I was not hungry and had the last banana and, for the first time in years, my lab results show potassium in the normal range; I credit years of bananas. I reheated the Popeye’s chicken (a breast and a leg) with the rice and beans and some mashed. I ate that while chatting with Deborah.
The scrub jays, a pair, have reappeared in the backyard, and the hummingbirds are busy, too. The roses are heavy with blooms. The longer days and sun (too much for our snowpack) have been lovely.
With lunch inside of me and the afternoon seemingly flying away from me, I jumped into the Air VW the Gray and headed to Beaverton. I had copies of the flyer for our new speaker series at the church (See below), salvaged from unused bulletins, and hoped to get them at coffee houses and the Beaverton Library. I spaced that it was Saturday and the Saturday Market was packed for the Memorial Day Weekend. Deborah was surprised as we chatted while I drove in heavy Beaverton traffic. Her experience is that Michigan seems to empty out as everyone heads to cabins or other getaways, but in the Greater Portland Area, I found traffic and packed events.
Unable to add to the crowd, I turned around, enjoyed the traffic again, and dropped off flyers at local coffee places nearer home. I stopped at Insomnia and did not get more coffee. I chatted with the barista, and she, too, had had too much coffee and recommended more hydration, approved the flyer, and sold me an excellent cookie.
I returned to writing my book and put in my earpods, which, unlike the EV, were fully charged. I managed to craft a few better sentences, but I still cannot get my groove back and just write. But with more practice, I am sure, it will return.
It is later now, and I drive to Beaverton again, this time park in the library lot, and even charge the car. The Saturday Market is over. I see the same woman who helped me on my last visit, and she approves my flyer and will put it up for me. I see that Cool Islam is meeting in the library’s basement. I think we missed out on an excellent name for a group: Cool Methodists. I head to Ava Roasters, add our flyer to their board, and grab a fruit tart to go (so yummy). I then return to my car, 46 cents and 2% charge, and head home. I have completed another loop!
I reheat some Indian food from a few days ago, and have the tart as dessert. I watch more Doctor Who, purchasing the Christmas Special from years ago, and I start to watch it. I head back out, again, with a 38% charge (enough for 120 miles of driving) and drive in light traffic (finally) to Richard’s house.
Laura and Chris join Ricard and me for a game of Isle of Kats. As I described, it was a fun game, and I only wish to play it again to get better at it. Once over, we chatted for a short while, but everyone headed out, and my drive was uneventful and mostly forgotten now.
I was going to write or read, but did little of either. I had a terrible headache and took painkillers (ibuprofen and Tylenol). I made a salad with ham (defrosted in hot water), cheese, olives, and Italian dressing, and while watching Doctor Who, the pain faded. Next, I headed to bed and closed my eyes, and soon fell asleep. I woke once for proof of hydration. I went back to sleep.
Dear reader, please consider attending if you are in the area. From the press release:
BEAVERTON, Ore. — [May 18, 2026] — A new public forum dedicated to ideas, culture, and civic dialogue is coming to Beaverton with the launch of the Beaverton Lecture Series, a community-centered initiative designed to spark thoughtful conversation and deeper connection across the region. The series opens on Thursday, June 4, 2026, at 7:00 PM with the inaugural lecture, “Indigenous Place Keeping: Learning from the Land,” featuring cultural leader David Harrelson. The event will be held at The Historic Downtown Methodist Church, located next to the Beaverton City Library at 12555 SW 4th Street, Beaverton, OR 97005. Admission is free and open to the public. Harrelson, an enrolled member of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde and the tribe’s Cultural Resources Department Manager, will explore the Indigenous practice of “keeping place” — understanding land not merely as physical space, but as a living network of relationships connecting people, plants, history, and community. “No matter where you live, you are on Indigenous land,” Harrelson says, underscoring the continuing relevance of Indigenous knowledge and stewardship.
With more than 16 years of experience in cultural resources and heritage preservation, Harrelson’s work spans ethnobotany, Indigenous foods, contact-era Pacific Northwest history, and Western Oregon Indigenous art. In addition to his leadership with the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, he currently serves on the Oregon Arts Commission and previously served on the Oregon State Advisory Committee for Historic Preservation.
ABOUT BEAVERTON LECTURE SERIES
The Beaverton Lecture Series was created to provide an accessible and welcoming gathering space where residents can engage with important ideas shaping culture, history, identity, and civic life. Our hope is that this series becomes a trusted gathering point in Beaverton for learning, dialogue, and shared reflection.
HERE
What: Indigenous Place Keeping: Learning from the Land
Speaker: David Harrelson Date: Thursday, June 4, 2026
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: Historic Downtown Methodist Church 12555 SW 4th Street, Beaverton, OR 97005
Admission: Free and open to the public
Here is more information: David Harrelson Press Release.docx – Google Docs
Thanks for reading.
Alohawild (Michael Wild's) Website 