Thursday, I slept until about 7:30 in the morning. I had woken up multiple times again at night and felt I could stay in bed all morning, but there are things to do and blogs to write. Coffee had to be made, and the sink was full of dishes I had ignored for days. I did the dishes (mostly unloading the clean dishes from the dishwasher and reloading it), washed one pan, and then I felt confident about making the universe slightly better with a clean sink to make coffee. I used Equal Exchange Coffee, Fair Trade Certified, or what I call liberal coffee.
With a fresh cup and my laptop, I started to write the blog, and it took all morning and into the afternoon. Wednesday, what I wrote about Thursday morning, while looking out the window and watching the scrub jays and hummingbirds fly around, and a local squirrel searching the backyard for treasures hidden or lost. I took and made many calls, including rescheduling a dentist visit (my first under the new insurance). Deborah was busy today, and we connected often while driving from one event to the next. Others called, and even Emily, my nurse for Skyrizi, checked in (she shared that it takes annual treatment—four shots—before skin clearing begins in earnest). I put on my calendar when I need to call the pharmacy and when I take my next shot, July 4th. I shared that I was back to using creams because the flaking had returned, and she asked me to check in with my doctor. That is still on my list (Thursday).
Deborah reminded me that we have not set the dates for July yet, meaning a word was missing in my blog, “possible,” and the next week is more likely after being reminded of some dates. So maybe I will be in Michigan on the week of the 20th, more to come. The NYC trip is set in August.
I remembered to write a card for Mom Wild, walked it to the mail box, and there, in my robe and still unkempt hair, met the mailman. I said I was retired and that I was writing every morning and then dressing. I could see his judgmental American work ethic rising when he saw me, but we were smiling and happy by the end. “There is hope for all of us for an early and good retirement,” I told him, and that seemed to make him think and smile.
I skipped lunch, for now, and showered, remembered to apply the creams, and then boarded Air VW the Gray at 70% charge, I think, and headed out. The traffic was still slow-moving but not at rush hour levels. I did not see any extra-legal lane changes, but a few folks did dive into the turning lane when making a left turn on TV Highway. One person was too scared to pull out, even though all the cars waited for the driver, and I waved the driver out. That happens once in a while.
I had some tasks to do, one of which was finding some paper for my forger of Dungeons & Dragons documents. I make fun handouts at our game, and this is my last one for a month or more. I wanted something more than just white cardstock. I could not find a stationery shop on the Internet in the area, so I headed to Blicks for art supplies in Beaverton. I had to turn around as my colon decided it was time to remind me that it needed attention. With that under control, I returned and soon reached the art supply store.
They had a limited selection, and I needed something like Michael’s for what I was looking for. I did find some handmade 8.5×11 paper that would work. Next, I headed to Office Depot to see if they had a better fit, and I got a pack of certificate paper with seals. I tried New Seasons Market for shelf stable 1% or low-fat milk, but they do not carry it. After that, I tried Whole Foods, called them, and learned they no longer carry it.
Somewhere in this narrative, I visited our local Paris Baguette, a favorite of mine when I was stranded in NYC for a month during the pandemic, and had a baguette sandwich with turkey, cheese, veggies, and avocado (we are on the West Coast). It was an excellent sandwich, and I always remember the good one I had on the one day when I was in Paris back in the 90s. I always expected to be back, but so far, no.
I read my American Civil War (ACW) book while enjoying my sandwich. I do disagree with the author and think that, while Confederate General Hood was clearly batty, he had to win, and the text tells the story of Union officers considering surrender after they had mangled their march to Franklin. The army had fallen into a trap (that Hood unknowingly set), but it was at night, and the Confederates missed their chance as the Union quietly slipped by. But with this kind of bungling on the Union side, I think Hood was just pushing the Union everywhere and hoping for another error that he could just pounce on. To win, he needed another massive break, to exploit it, and to then crush the Union. I do agree with the author that General Hood’s lack of a clear plan and focus made it difficult to exploit any Union weakness, and that he, like Lee at Gettysburg, seemed to believe that just Rebel Spirit would carry the day. Instead, it was a disaster.
Putting aside the ACW, I returned home and saw that the day had mostly disappeared, and remembered that the new WW2 movie, Pressure, starring Brendon Fraser, was out today. I soon found tickets for the movie at the Cinemark theater and was retracing my previous drive back to Beaverton. I parked and rushed in; I was on time for my show. I had ordered popcorn, small with no butter, but my popcorn was not in the location I was told, and I, thinking I must have just ordered tickets (the paper they gave me after scanning my QR code had only the ticket on it), ordered another one and then went to find my seat. There in my chair was a carryout bag for my popcorn. I was surprised and disappointed to have purchased two small popcorns, but now I know this.
The movie was good and is about the week of the D-Day invasion and the weather problems. Yup, a movie on weather. Andrew Scott, a favorite actor since he played the villain on Sherlock, playing against Benedict Cumberbatch, is the focus of the movie, with Brent playing the American General Eisenhour. Kerry Condon plays a supporting role and the “Spock” role (i.e., explaining and advancing the story). The acting, special effects, and camera work all created an immersive feeling that you were there. I liked it.
I thought about getting dinner out, but instead stopped at Juan Carlos’s and got some tacos and other items to go. I was disappointed in my items and will not order them again, but the tacos were good. I ordered from them during the pandemic and had it delivered. It was not good this time. I might try again someday, but I was hungry and ate it anyway.
I watched more Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, and they did a zombie-movie-style episode, reminding me of other shows and movies. It was interesting, and they suggested that a certain flowering plant could cause this. This appears in many mind control and zombie stories. Nice to see it reused here, and especially the collecting of special flowering plants for a cure, which fits the pulp novel format.
It was still light out, and I headed out for a walk. I walked to the bench and back just to get some more steps in. My neighbors had a plumbing truck at their house, never a good sign, and I learned that their sewer line was blocked again (they have had multiple problems of late, including tearing up their yard and reconnecting). The problem seemed to be with the street, and this means getting the local water company involved. I wished them well and was once again happy that my sewer lines have not failed.
Now in my Ps, I read more, grew tired, and soon went 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 and considering attending (if you are in the local area).
Alohawild (Michael Wild's) Website 