Tuesday was full of usual things, but a few were the usual mundane things you have to do to live in 2026. I started by rising, not quite vampire-like, to an alarm at 6:30, which I ignored until 6:45. I rose then in the dark and reheated some of yesterday’s coffee, took my pills (the morning pills are by habit, taken before coffee, thus the act of making or reheating coffee now includes taking my pills; discipline and habit are important as you get older–maybe even when young).
The sun rises, but the clouds and mist (no rain) are heavy, and it turns from black to gray to almost white. The birds and squirrels seem rushed. The remains of a spider fall onto the toilet seat in the bathroom. I don’t remember using the fan all the time, and the local pest must have moved into it. I must have used it, and it was a bad day for the spider. Oregon in the fall, where you must push back against migrating pests. I have not seen any large ones yet, but there have been fewer large ones with the killing freezes of the last few years.
I wrote the blog quickly because I was time-boxed and wanted to finish and get it out before my day gets busy. I finished, showered, dressed, and all that, and boarded Air VW the Gray, which is now below 60% charge. I am letting it float down as I am traveling far this week.
The traffic is slow after the Hill and a crawl to the tunnel, and I am ten minutes late. Laura joins us, and I managed to do better, but I still lost at another game of Lost Ruins of Arnak. This time I wasn’t lapped and was only thirty points behind Richard, ten behind Laura, and tied with Robin. I was playing an add-on character I’d never played before, The Explorer, and I spent time learning it and leaning into its unique abilities. I loved it and really enjoyed playing; it’s a favorite game.
I played better and found my way. Richard bought cards, mostly tools, and then stockpiled resources to use towards the end of the game. He then used them to run the more profitable second-level sites. I again ignored the tools and played to my strengths to learn the character. Despite tying for last place, I enjoyed the game.
I returned home after lunchtime, with traffic still reasonable. I talked to Wendy at the church, stopped at the Post Office, which had a long, slow-moving line, and I was to buy 100 Forever stamps ($89) for the church. It is not mismanagement that slows the line; people in line usually have complex items to do. You can buy stamps and use the machine for basic mailings and skip the line. I wanted too many stamps; I joined the line. The clerk was happy to supply me with last year’s leftover Christmas stamps, the 2026 version, and squirrels and chipmunks in the snow for non-denomination stamps.
I carried my new stamps to Wendy using my new access (I have tried to avoid having church entry for years; it always comes with extra work). Doug, a visitor from Virginia who attended on Sunday, stopped by and wrote a check for the offering he missed. He had forgotten his wallet on Sunday and felt he needed to help cover the expenses. He thanked us for Dondrea’s sermon and the great music. He said he travels to Oregon often and will be back.
Next, it was time for more Brazil trip prep (19-29Nov, Manaus, Belo Horizonte, Rio) and a late lunch. REI is next to a Jersey Mike’s Subs, and I got a spicy East Coast Italian Sub there. The price was interesting. I ordered a full one (about two large sandwiches), which, with a soda and a bag of chips, was over $30 with a 20% tip. Wow! I got the extra one for lunch on Wednesday. Still a startling amount.
I found someone at REI who let me interrupt them while they reorganized the ropes to cover the backpacks for me. Cotopaxi seemed to have the right mix: a larger commuter backpack. I thanked them, and they returned to the ropes. I was not anywhere near the giant carry-your-life-on-your-back versions for outdoor enthusiasts. Not black, but blue and a color called abyss, which just called to my Dungeons & Dragons thinking and love for the ocean.
I spotted some bug spray, but I picked the wipes because they are easier to pack and less likely to get eye-balled by security. I added a small notepad of waterproof paper and a space pen, then found a friendly clerk who sold me everything. She said she uses the same bag and thought it an excellent choice for the urban and air traveler. The clerk reminded me I could return the item anytime for any reason (including that it just was not what I wanted after taking it on a trip). It was expensive, but nicer than anything I have had before.
I returned home after that and started packing for Thursday’s flight to Detroit. I did the dishes, watched more For All Mankind, and read more. I sent out some emails about church and Brazil stuff. I talk often to Deborah about my upcoming trip and to Dondrea about church and Brazil items.
I regret losing my passport holder with my yellow card containing all my vaccination history. I dropped it at the Morocco airport, and it was never returned. But I know I never had Yellow Fever (scheduled for 22Oct), and I have had the usual shots, including the shingles shot. I was warned off the newest COVID shot, as folks are getting flu symptoms, and I will get it after I return from Michigan (included in the 22nd enjoyment). I will try to update everything else up to my trip to Brazil: shots and more shots.
I called the Hummingbird House and thanked them for all they did for us. It was the calendar day of Susie’s passing three years ago. They remembered us, my visiting most days, and the flowers. It is good to be remembered.
I head to The 649 and find there is no parking. I managed to navigate out of the parking snarl, with some snarling from other drivers who seemed to think I wasn’t moving fast enough or were just frustrated. I avoided hitting anything or being hit, parked far away, and enjoyed the walk back.
It was an election party at The 649 with Kyle and Matt at the bar. It was loud, busy, and happy. I met (whose name escapes me as I write this) a woman for Nike, and we said a few words, but it was busy, and they were there for the election party. I got a beer and sat outside until the crowd thinned out.
I worked on Brazil paperwork, mostly reading what we need to do for our group’s insurance. I had another beer and a cheese fondue with bread and brats. I was surprised how hungry I was. Managing to spike my sugar with the bread and my cholesterol with the cheese and brats. A salad or hummus would have been a wiser choice. It was sooooo gooood.
I returned home, packed and organized some more. I read and soon slept.
Not an exciting day, but one full of actions and promise for trips soon and next month.
Thanks for reading!
