Monday Memorial Day 2026

I woke from terrible dreams, a stuffed head, and a headache. My muscles were tight from stressful dreams. The dream restarted three or four times. I dreamed I was back at work as a consultant, working for a woman, installing new hardware, and it wasn’t going well. The components were already in place, and we had to recable instead. I was worried that I had not done my timesheet and had to find a break in the work to get online and enter my hours, apparently, for three weeks. The building or home (it was unclear which, and might have changed, as dreams are not always logical) was full of folks I did not know but who reminded me of folks at Nike. Outside was the Florida Coast with the dark waters. In the dream, I learned that a hurricane was coming, and I was worried about power outages, but I was reassured that we were safe and that the storm would be minor. The waves built and flooded the house, and everyone was talking as if nothing was happening, as the water got deeper and deeper, dark black waters. The power is still on, and I am still trying to work and make the required changes. The waters are so deep that it is hard to stand. I wake.

Not an easy start to the morning! My problems with uncertainty (which seem like an obvious callout from the dream) would haunt me all Monday. I would also say I have stayed in the house too much and I have done less exploring than I should have; I will try to get out more over the couple of weeks left in May, and when I get back in late June, I will take some local trips. Midsummer Night’s Dream is down at the Oregon Shakspear Festival, for example. I have also never been to Crater Lake.

I wrote the blog and finished it about 10:30, and published it. I always forget what I had for lunch and dinner. It takes me a while to find those memory threads. I contacted Joan S, and she would meet me after 4 for the movie The Devil Wears Prada 2. It shocked me that it had been twenty years since the first movie. I loved the book. They deleted the opening scene in the book, which was a riot, and I think it got the book published. The book is recommended!

I was on the phone with Deborah while I made lunch. I grilled a pork chop, steamed some fresh broccoli, and made my usual couscous with Indian-style spices, raisins, and pecans. I resisted making a pan gravy as I did need the extra calories, and the chop was excellent. I cooked it in a pan, added some water to steam it, then finished it in the pan. I used a digital thermometer to ensure it was cooked.

I tried to relax and enjoy, but the depression rose; the food helped to chase away some of that darkness. The food and the fact that I did something that I enjoy, cooking, helped to alleviate the pain. I was missing Susie and Dad today and should have headed out earlier. Grief sneaks up on you when you are alone, I find.

It had clouded up and started to rain; no walk, I think, a walk would have helped.

But meeting Joan S and getting out improved my mood, and we got a bag of popcorn (no butter) that I shared with Joan S, and that added to the long previews that went on for thirty minutes, I think. The movie was fun, and the insults had you catch your breath before you laughed. The story, no spoilers, was not that predictable and kept my attention. I was thinking of Cruella a few times, but this is a different story. Recommended.

The movie, popcorn, and getting out of the house helped.

With that done, Joan headed home, and I headed to BJ’s Brewhouse for an Old Fashioned and to do some writing. I managed to up the current chapter in my book to 1,000 words and find my way out of a problem in the story. I talked to another person at the bar, whose name, sadly, I have forgotten, about drinks, and I suggested finding a Sazerac in NOLA as an alternative to an Old Fashioned. I had the California Flat Bread for dinner. It is wonderful and, I think, one of the best items on their menu. I sat at the bar as all the tables were taken, and Annalisa was my bartender. I did see Eric, my usual waiter, but he was full and running crazy. I talked to him, and he expected a light crowd, but the place filled up. I suggested to him that the movies were getting out, and he thought that a good idea, especially with the Star Wars movie (thought it had only average ratings; I liked it, but agree with the ratings). Eric and I agreed it was good to see folks getting out again.

I returned home, read more about the American Civil War, but went to bed early as I had slept soon. I had, as I said above, slept poorly.

Thanks for reading!