Author: alohawild

I am writing this Saturday, and Friday is a blur, and I am having trouble finding the focus to write today. Instead, I have paid bills and chased some hacker items. I use antivirus software on my Apple, and it has been detecting attempts to break into it lately. Not successful. Hmmm.

I am still tired and lost in the evening, as I am still jet-lagged and partially in the Easter Time Zone (-3 hours). I have also not gone grocery shopping, but I have enjoyed the salami-and-cheese sandwiches. I picked up cheese and salami before heading out for a week, and I keep the bread in the freezer. I have also started most of the Fruitcakes out into the world. I have sent them all ASAP, as in this world, who knows what might happen if I have them dated for Christmas delivery.

I have watched all my unreleased losses in my IRA with US Bank Wealth Management reversed; I cannot believe the amount of churn in the markets. It is plus or minus 5% in a month. Not a great sign for stability.

Another quarter goes by, and my dividends and interest are paid for one last time in 2025. And while not a tremendous amount now that I have enjoyed so many trips and adventures, I still have my money working for me. My dividend stocks are still paying better than CDs. And while I believe that rates should be 5% for a healthy economy (we are at about 4% and likely headed to 3.something%), others want cheap money and risk a recession and/or inflation, I prefer more stability.

For those who forget, stability means Wall Street has no reason to lay off people. That churn ends, and their fees vanish. Prices stabilize, and there is then downward pressure on insurance, utilities, and other monthly costs. No more claims that due to this or that, they must raise prices. Inflation ticks down. Meaning Wall Street does not make vast fees, and politicians are forced to consider balanced budgets and responsible government. It is not perfect, as existing discrimination often spirals out of control and other imbalances are not addressed (though, over time, with stability, they become blatant and are addressed), but it would create some clarity. Which is precisely what Wall Street, politicians, religious leaders, and other shouters of chaos do not want. Clarity and sunlight are not favored at this moment. I dream of stability.

Returning to the story, I rose later and missed the sunrise, which is often in our winter, just changing the sky from black to gray. I was happy that the coffee was ready. I had gotten the assembly right the night before and pushed the right button on the coffee maker for timed delivery at 7AM local.

I found my focus, wrote the blog, and started another load of my travel laundry. I spoke to Deborah a few times as she was getting new laundry delivered today. I managed to finish the blog, shower, dress, and do the laundry in The Machine. I made a quick sandwich and opened a can of baked beans (I bought a case of them, and I think after a year, I am now finishing them; though there is likely one can lost in the pantry that I will see two years after it expired; that is how pantries work).

I boarded Air VW the Gray and headed to the TriMet MAX station, and soon was reading on my phone and traveling to Portland. The city is dressed in lights, and, with the damp, it looks like a painting where the colors are suggested by a brushstroke. I exited the Library and walked through Teacher’s Park, which had a Winter Village with soap bubbles blowing into the air for snow.

I found the new entrance to the Portland Art Museum, which is now reopened following the rebuild. It is lovely, but it is still a limited collection. I walked, getting advice from the staff, from the top, and worked my way down.

I discovered I had forgotten that Friday was the tree lighting at the park that adjoins First United Methodist Church, and I planned to do that. Forgot to add it to my calendar! The usual excuse, how could that be now?

I quickened my walk through. I am a member; there is no charge to walk through, and I managed to get back to MAX quickly, so even my trip back was free. Did the whole trip for $2.80! I stopped by a shop and got some postcards of Portland.

I read a bit, but nodded off, and then just enjoyed the ride back. I got in the EV, crossed Beaverton, stopped at Winco for more apple products, and reached the church while the Methodists were setting up. I supplied three gallons for the hot cider giveaway.

Emmaus, the other church that shares our buildings, was set up, and they have a tent with their logo printed on it. I pointed out the nice tent to the Methodists; I want one for us with our logo. Soon we were giving out hot cider while Emaus was making hot chocolate. We handed out flyers and our schedule for the Christmas service. I had a lot of cups of cider, and we had coffee too. I was cold and missing my hat (I ordered new hats today).

I took a break and walked through the tents, where folks were selling holiday items. Sort of a version of a Christmas Market. But much reduced, as ICE raids in the area mean many folks are not signing up to sell, and the crowd was much smaller, and far fewer Spanish speakers are in the mix this year.

An Asian family sold me a Christmas Wreath and then could not swipe my credit card. I put the card numbers in for them, and that worked. I then placed the wreath on our table, and that added to the look. The wreath is now on my door at the house and looks marvelous.

The tree was lit and my colon, almost at the same time, and I was now having a conversation that involved a sudden possible movement. With the recent travel and the cancer shortened pathway, it is best to head home and stay there for a while. I managed to avoid any challenges. I said a few quick goodbyes, very quick.

Now feeling cold and uncomfortable, I ordered Chinese food for too much money and had it delivered. This is my go-to when not feeling well. I watched various YouTube videos on naval battles and history. Mary Beard on Rome is always recommended (as are her books).

I enjoyed the food; East Harbor does an excellent job. I watched some history, hung my shirts up from The Machine, did the dishes, and prepared the coffee machine for another morning. I then found my PJs and my bed and soon disappeared into various dreams of traveling and other dreamworld markets. All of it is faded now, but I was busy in my dreams, traveling and enjoying dream holidays and markets with family and friends, some of whom are now only in my dreams.

Thanks for reading.

 

 

Thursday had collected many tasks. I rose with my alarm, having slept well in my comfy bed and familiar blankets, but I was confused about what time it was when I woke. The air was only of moderate quality, and I could feel that. All day I was tired and dragging from the travel, the bad air, and the time change. I turned down Corwin’s and Mariah’s dinner and game invitations. Unusual for me, but it was hard to stay awake (it felt like I needed a nap in every time zone I visited).

Corwin, when I spoke to him later, when he stopped by to get his mail (he uses the house as his permanent address and package delivery). His business (window washing and garden work), his side job cleaning and cooking at a local restaurant, delivering food, and donating plasma is working. He has some money, no debt, and the biz is without debt. Also, giving up booze and beer and staying mostly clean (mushrooms and various other interesting edging options are still in use) has cleared his vision and made him reliable. He likes to work and get paid now. Corwin has passed through the fires of near death, Susie’s loss, and poverty to find a path that may work. I am proud of him. He is paying for his own insurance and working with my Allstate people. He hopes to be an Uber driver soon and maybe move into chauffeur work. Applause!

As always, the holidays bring back the faces and names of those we have lost. You look for them or hear them in your dreams: Susie, Dad, Joyce, Grandparents, Elric, Cory, Warren, and others whose names don’t come to me, but whose presence is still felt. It is good, but it hurts. Time to get out the eggnog from the fridge, remember all those you have drunk it with, smile, and enjoy the flavor. Maybe some rum to make it better. And perhaps a light dusting of nutmeg.

Thursday was a rush, returning to the accounting of my day. I started the blog, but I soon jumped into the shower, then remembered I spilled coffee on myself on my last day before travel, and the towel hadn’t been replaced. A cold, wet run gets a towel followed. With myself shaved, clean, and dressed, it was off to Aloha Dental for a cleaning and check. I had trouble breathing and not panicking at first, but that requires me to relax. I found my calm place, and Bo, the hygienist, knows how to just chat about travel and places to visit to keep the focus off the choking feeling of all the stuff in your mouth. Dr. Packam found nothing to fix, and we spent more time talking about Dungeons & Dragons than on my teeth. Perfect!

Back to the house and checking on laundry in progress. All good. My neighbors had put out my trash and recycling (their extra bags are welcome in my cans, as my trash output and recycling are less now). I had added some items on my return home (a few items in the fridge went to science experiments). The trash and recycling were being intermittently picked up on Thursday.

I continued with the blog and then boarded Air VW the Gray again. I crossed over into Beaverton and talked to the church folks on my phone and to Deborah, too. Deborah was having a good day at work and was happy. Excellent. Refresh at church has a minor issue. I started to handle it.

Lunch was at McMenamins Cedar Hills, and the waiters were happy to see us back on our regular visit. We did have beers (back to two a week for me), and I stuck with just a salad (enough food over the month, meaning I am back to lettuce-survival living). Scott and I caught up and talked about our travels, past and future. We both discussed selling our respective houses to ease the burden and reduce costs. Still, we agreed that keeping our homes and getting help with the annoying things makes more emotional sense, and the economic savings are nothing compared to the likely stress of buying and selling or of apartment living.

Later, I learned that Dr. Muge Dogan had been cut from Nike and that the board-level CTO position had been removed. While I don’t hold a grudge, it was Muge who shut down the SAP departments at Nike and eliminated the remote development centers her predecessor, Ratnakar Lavu, had started. This hurt lots of my friends. This would, from my viewpoint, be the last of former CEO John Donahoe’s team. It seems the new CEO, Elliot Hill, has hit the big reset button, returning Nike’s structure to something from the 1990s. Hmmm, the stock price is still in the 1990s, too!

At the house, I joined the Zoom call for the church SPRC committee (for those who do not speak Methodist, this is the HR committee), and we completed our work in 45 minutes. As the salary committee, we are responsible for various year-end processes, which have consumed much of our time over the last few months. All was good and quick.

With that done, Corwin stopped in, as I said above, and installed his new plates on his new car. He stayed for a while, and I offered to include him in the dinner I was making. I was too tired to do much more. He demurred and headed out to make more money. Good plan!

I watched the next episodes of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds and thought the show was sexy and bright, but the storyline felt obvious and poorly executed. If it continues this way, I won’t make it to the next season. More to say later (but I was tired, and I may be overly critical).

I used a water drip to defrost the two huge chicken thighs (boneless and skinless), mostly. I put some high-temperature oil in the glass baking dish, salted and peppered the chicken with enthusiasm, and painted the top of the thighs (after rolling them in the oil) with Dijon Mustard mixed with a bit of white cooking wine. I baked them for thirty minutes (which also finished the defrosting). I took them out of the glassware, added a sliced potato, some chopped garlic, and sliced onions (which I would skip next time), then returned the chicken to the top of that (I did toss the potatoes in the drippings before adding everything). This was a Barefoot Contessa recipe I saw on my flight (though just from memory with some changes). I baked for 30 more minutes; the chicken was well beyond done (175°F+), so I took it out, put it on a plate under a foil tent, set the oven to 450°F, and baked the potatoes for 15 minutes. This did not finish them. Ugh!

Next time, I will start with everything together, skip the onions, and return the chicken for five minutes to reheat it. Still, the hint of mustard, salt, and pepper was excellent for the chicken. The potatoes were mostly cooked. Next time! And look, an American recipe without cheese!

I watched Heavy Metal 2000, as I had watched the old one on my trip. It was about the same as the last one, and is poorly rated, but I liked it ($3.99 rental on AppleTV). I got my T-shirts done and have three loads to go to finish all my laundry. I will continue on Friday.

Tired, sleepy, and wanting my bed, I put on my PJs and soon joined the night, traveling somewhere in my dream world. Not sure where, my memory fades, but I suspect there was coffee, beer, used bookstores, games, and friends and family.

Thanks for reading!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some days are just travel, and Wednesday was one of those.

I rose, showered, shaved, and all of that. I dressed and managed to fit a few items into my luggage, then closed it up. Check-out is at noon at the Club Quarter Hotel in Boston’s Financial District. I headed next door to get breakfast at Elephant and Castle and spent about $20 on their Sunrise breakfast with poached eggs, bangers, bacon, and potato bits. I had that with lots of coffee. There, Benjamin, my waiter again for breakfast, kept filling my coffee while I wrote the rest of the blog that I had started in my room. He put me in the corner, with my permission, and I got a view of the whole war. It, and like the hotel lobby, seems a bit frayed at the edges. Light out, slipped panels, and water damage show that some basic repairs are not being done. My taxi driver commented that the Financial District was busy until the pandemic, and it has never returned to that level of activity. Corporations discovered the hidden cost of offices, and employees found they cannot do just as well, and often better, working from home. I think this explains the wear and tear.

Breakfast was good, and I said goodbye to Elephant and Castle (Benjamin brought me the room card that I left on the table) and returned to my room, checked again for anything missed, and left 408 and soon turned in my key, checked out, and waited for a taxi back to Logan Airport. My ride in was as fast as it was between rush hours (and unlike Portland and other American cities, there is no lunch traffic), and soon I was getting my bag tag. I did not realize you must leave your QR code on the screen while getting a bag tag (not wanting to forget my phone, I had flashed the code and put it back in my pocket); the station just locked up until I put the iPhone back.

With that interruption, the process was easy. The lines were short, but the maze of stanchions was in place, meaning I walked the whole thing to get to TSA. There was a special section for the US Military, and TSA pre-approved that someone had taped US flags to the retractable tape stanchions (I had to look up what they are called), which I thought looked like a strange-looking flag corridor and led to the same place I discovered. My ID, Oregon Driver’s License with the REAL ID star, was examined with great care and even put under a monocular to check it. I have never seen it checked like this.

I, my ID, my bag, and other items passed the remaining tests without incident or any further checks. I walked across Logan to my gate. I found a bar near my gate, sat there, and ordered a bowl of Clam Chowder with Ginger Ale (I was already tired). I had upgraded for 5K miles to comfort, as I knew I would be tired when I ordered the tickets. Zone 3 and 11A worked for me. Soon, I was watching the new Fantastic Four movie and on my way to my connection.

On landing, I took my time crossing the airport in Minneapolis, even stopping at a bookstore on the way. I had officially 90 minutes, but when I arrived, I had ten minutes until boarding?! Not quite sure what happened, but I found a turkey-and-cheese on a croissant and then boarded the plane.

I had my bottle of water I’d filled in Boston, and that helped, and soon I was watching another movie, Julie & Julia (I love movies about cooking). The plane needed to be de-iced, and we spent 30 minutes having stuff squirted all over it. Finally, we were in the air, and I enjoyed cooking more. I make the same Beef Bourguignon mentioned in the movie from a recipe revised by Evelyn’s Midtown Kitchen in Detroit (here).

I read and nodded off a few times. I was in Comfort and thus got some complimentary chips to go with my sandwich (I could have bought a snack box on the plane, but my sandwich was excellent, as were the sea-salt, homemade-style chips). Just as I was getting tired of flying, the landing was announced.

The rest is the usual blur of trying not to forget something and walking PDX to baggage claim. I found my bag in a few minutes, and soon Joan S, who is driving now, picked me up. We chatted while she drove me home. Another blur, as I was tired and the time zones had changed.

(Yes, the Martini Glass is back!)

At home, I aired the house out, got the mail (which was delivered today after being on hold), and soon was in my PJs, resting in my comfortable bed. I seemed to sleep well and woke just before my 7 a.m. alarm.

Thanks for reading.

 

 

I spent the whole day, my only whole day in Boston, walking around Boston until the sun went down. I did not have my heavy coat, and my layers were not resistant to real cold and winds, which is Boston’s winter. But I pressed on as it was my plan to see some of Boston.

I watched as my transactions were published through my accounts, and there are no shanaggins on my credit cards or bank accounts. I did have a declined card when buying my annual fruitcake and fudge mailing. I did use the Visa for a few more (I have about four left to send out). I called AMEX, they said everything was in order, I paid the bar bill with AMEX, and there were no issues. I recall the same issue last year, it is on the fruitcake maker side, and I think it will clear. I picked up a few Christmas gifts on my trip, all small and easy to include in my luggage.

Breakfast was next door at the Elephant and Castle, and my waiter, Benjamin, recommended the Eggs Benedict. It was a good choice, but not as good as some. I ate that with some potatoes, which were good with some green onions, and wrote the blog. I got a few cups of coffee while I wrote.

The weather was going to be a challenge as it was going to rain, not the polite Oregon mist, and include some cold winds. I put on a sweater and hoped that my coat would be enough. It would not be. I was uncomfortable all day, but I did not let that stop me. I walked and walked to get an understanding of the area. I tried, for $11, the Boston Athenaeum Library, thinking it was another library I follow, but that one is in Providence, Rhode Island. I pay to see the collection, and it is interesting (and warm and dry). They have many plaster casts of classical sculptures from the 1700s into the early 1900s. There is even a marble here and there. All copies of classics that once were the thing to have in your home to show how cultured you were, here in New England. I saw two paintings that I have seen reproduced quite a few times, and now I know where the originals are. It was all interesting and not. I was not looking for plaster heads of our founding fathers (though they were in Jefferson’s house), but still, it was worth it. I saw a graveyard next to the place, but now it was cold and drizzling, meaning I thought it best to delay that visit or skip it altogether.

I walked a few blocks and found the Massachusetts State House, the one in use, and entered through the General Hooker entrance with a life-sized horse and general in bronze. “May God have mercy on General Lee, for I will have none,” the general is reported to have said. He was defeated by Lee (often), and one of the worst (Chancellorsville) defeats encouraged Lee to try to end the war by invading the North, leading to the Battle of Gettysburg (Hooker was relieved before that battle started and replaced by Meade). But he was remembered well by the troops, and history had been kind to Hooker.

 

As I walked towards the general, I was stopped by some protesters who, having paused their protest, were happy to direct me to the capital and suggested I skip the tour and just walk the place. I took their advice after passing security and found the place a cold marble-filled maze. The white marble, high ceiling, and extra bright light made the place feel emotionally cold. But the security and folks at the desks welcomed me with smiles and told me to just walk in and look around. They are proud of their building and that it is open to the public, like people like me, just walking in.

With some backtracking, I found the Senate and House (most states echo the bicameral design of the Federal Government, though Massachusetts, not a state but a commonwealth, though treated as a state at the Federal level, and has been in existence before the US) and the Governor’s Office. There, I told the staff I was originally from Michigan, and they proudly pointed to the Mitt Romney painting, still remembered as a popular and successful governor (and the security guard remembered Mitt, and we both agreed Mitt was his happiest here).

I found the bookstore that offered, for a small price, various official documents, but no postcard of the State House. I found one that said ‘Massachusetts’ and ‘Boston’ and bought it for $1.06. Massachusetts is infamous for its taxes (“Tax-a-chusetts”). The protestors, now drenched by the rain, were happy to see me and asked what I liked. They offered me various protest materials about the evils of the petroleum industry, but when they learned I was from Oregon and drove an EV, they were satisfied I was one of them. They offered to take my picture in front of the State House, having plenty of pictures already, I demurred. They were happy to have someone to talk to; I think they get mostly ignored.

Leaving and waving to the protestors, looking odd with the giant horse and general beside them, I headed to someplace warm. They reminded me of Hooker’s optimism; I wish them success (with low casualties). I stopped at the Old Meeting House and bought a ticket for both the Old Meeting House and the Old State House. A staffer met me, happy to have a customer; she later told me that winter is hard as they have so few visitors.

The Old Meeting House is a church, and here the plot for the Boston Tea Party was hatched, not at a government or the more formal King’s Chapel nearby, but here in the rented pews and benches in a fiercely independent, anti-iconoclastic protestant meeting hall. I felt at home. My guide covered her favorite items. I loved the horseshoe the British found later. The occupying troops wrecked the meeting house and turned it into a riding arena. My guide pointed out the statue of a man, a normal-looking shoemaker, who was there for the meeting, the Party, and later events. She pointed out the few remaining structures that survived the remodels and the British troops, a pew and a staircase. Plus the outside walls. We talked about slavery (she had just graduated in African Studies), and she pointed out that most folks remember the abolitionists and not the fact that slavery started here in Massachusetts before the South. Here were the first slave owners in the colonies and the first place to abolish slavery.

I thanked her and hoped to be back (the rain turned heavy, and I returned, soaked, to my hotel room instead). King’s Chapel, built in the 1600s, was open for music today. I walked the short distance there and was happy to find the church was well-heated. I donated the recommended $5 to the player and spent thirty minutes walking around the building. There were informational signs in place, and I did my self-guided touring, which today would be about. The pews are boxes, like in the Old Meeting House, and families rented them. Paul Revere’s 33 box was near the Governor’s, and the bell was made in his shop (though not by him). He described it as some of their best work, with a “Sweat” sound. One pew box was from the judge who ruled on Dred Scott. Another Wordsworth mentioned his distaste for abolitionists. George Washington had sat in the Governor’s Pew during a concert.

And while the massive organ sounded lovely, but the selection was 1700s holiday music that had me nod off once. I suspect that was why the pews were so well-padded. While the pulpit is the oldest in use in the USA (recovered from the previous church), I imagine the pastor would see many listeners resting. Though old, the building was constructed from the remains of an older church. I will not make the crypt tour and other interesting options, but maybe for a later trip.

The wet was cold, and my coat was soaked, but I managed to walk to the Old State House and did another self-guided tour. And while the material was interesting (including a cannonball found on/in Bunker Hill and a hat that was likely worn at the Tea Party), I was sad to see that the interior had been replaced. Still, it was interesting.

 

I walked, in the increasing cold and rain, to the graveyard I had seen earlier. It holds the graves of Franklin’s parents and many other Founding Fathers, including John Hancock and Samuel Adams. I was cold and wet too, and I quickly walked out.

I located another used bookstore, Brattle Book Shop, and decided to endure the cold again. I stopped at a coffee place (it was one of the Christian-focused The Well Coffee Houses, which I usually avoid, but I was cold) before I headed out. Slighly drier, I walked six or more blocks to the theater area outside of the Finance District, where I was staying at the Club Quarters Hotel.

The theater was all lit up, and the Christmas lights around Macy’s looked ready for the snow (which never appeared as it just rained). I found the bookstore around a corner, three stories of used books and prints. They had posters of their best books, marked “Sold” for huge prices. Wow!

I found a few books on WW1 that I liked. I added a murder mystery and then paid $10 to ship them home. I did walk up to the second floor, and there were interesting items there, but the rare book floor was a treasure of cool old stuff. I was so tempted by a Civil War set that has wonderful pictures. I remember seeing it in my school library and loving to look through it. I remember seeing a photo in the book that showed, among other things, the wreck of the CSS Virginia blocking the James River. The wreck was partially salvaged; parts of the ship are in Richmond. The rest was dredged, like many Civil War river wrecks, and lost.

Resisting the $250 price tag for the set, I returned to the cold, wet, and reached my hotel, where I dried out.

I called Deborah a few times. We said good night.

Somewhere in the evening, I was again at Elephant and Castle for a drink and then dinner. I had planned to try somewhere else, but it was raining hard, and the wind was blowing. I tried the curry as the bartender said it was excellent. It was excellent Butter Chicken with pita bread filling in for naan and rice. The bar was loud and friendly, and I talked to a few folks visiting and listened to the bartender’s worries that Christmas was coming too soon. His wife was setting up the tree that night with his son.

I was in my room, asleep, before midnight local time. I slept the night through and woke just before my alarm. My dreams are forgotten, but I remember they were pleasant. I dreamed, remembering now, that I weighed myself and had lost weight — only in my dreams!

Thanks for reading.

 

 

 

 

Monday was the start of traveling alone days. I travel well alone, and I was soon packed and ready after a shower and dressing in the clothing I had set aside during packing. I picked a dress shirt with a gray sweater vest for Monday. I write the blog while eating the complementary breakfast (I have to buy my next ones) and finish it. The lobby is quiet as everyone has gone back home, except me and a few other stragglers or folks there for work. Construction folks are often the other breakfast people, but I miss them since I start later (writing the first half of the blog in my room).

I finish and publish the blog, then head to the room to gather my suitcase, gym bag, and coat. I recheck the room for missed items. Mentally, I checked that I brought one pair of shoes. My black shoes often disappear into the room’s color and shadows and require a careful check. Deborah had to retrieve them for me once.

My plan to drive the car to the front desk is confused by a delivery that blocks that path. Instead, I circle back to the entrance on various streets and traffic lights, check out, and tell the staff that the hotel is in good shape (it is from the 1980s!) and that I appreciate their efforts to make it work. It was in better shape than some of the ones I have stayed at. I am on the road to Boston!

There is not much to recount on the drive. There was a complex of connections and one or two to dive to the correct exit. But no drama and no scraped paint. The traffic at the airport was long lines of cars and crazy, long one-way streets to a parking garage packed with vehicles. A man waved me to a halt, “In all my 23 years, I have never seen it like this,” he told me as they shuffled cars to get me a place. I have yet to see the bill (I am writing this on Tuesday).

I ask, and taxis are cheaper from the terminal, and I get one of the giant three-part buses and toss my bags in the rack. I talk to other passengers, and we are all amazed by the mess that is the Rental Car Return at Logan. I was going to take the subway, but the terrible mess made me jump off the bus with my bags and walk to the taxi line. I am soon with a friendly Tesla driver who gets me through all the tunnels and tolls, racking up a bill of about $40 to downtown with a tip. My later explorations revealed that the subways are like those in NYC and Chicago, with lots of stairs; no place for heavy bags!

My hotel is pleasant and looks like many I stayed with, but slightly higher class, meaning it is more expensive, and late checkout is $48. The room, which was ready when I got there around noon, is smaller than IHG’s; city rooms are often smaller.

Tuesday and Wednesday are supposed to be cold, messy, and stormy. I walked, using my iPhone for direction (looking like all the other tourists), to James Hook & Company for an expensive (they are always costly) lobster roll. It is cold lobster meat, freshly cooked, mixed with some mayo (butter, the other choice, for more $), on toasted bread. I had a local beer with it. And while good (and checking off a box for me, eating a lobster roll in Boston at the harbor), it is plain food (also, my tastes never recovered from the mouth infection after the brain surgery).

 

I order an Uber, and Brian, in a Ford Explorer, picks me up. He is chatty, and we walk around Boston and Portland, and he is repairing the Ford since he hit a trailer. It seemed OK to me. The JFK library is in an area that juts out into the harbor, offering a breezy yet lovely view of Boston and the harbor.

The library starts with a film, then descends into itself. They focus on JFK’s words and his wife’s experiences. The 1960 election and years in the white house take up most of the space. It is pleasant and the movie on the Cuban Missile Crisis is excellent. There is only a tiny section about the assassination, with Walter Cronkite’s reporting of the shooting and death of the president being the only thing covered.

A guide was giving a tour, and he talked about one bad day for JFK as he watched on TV Wallace’s declaration of segregation forever speech, his brother’s decision to fight Wallace, a monk set himself on fire and died to protest the war in Viet Nam, and then JFK, having asked the speakers to keep it bland, watches as Martin Luther King’s suddenly drops the agreed to boring speech and ad libs what is known as the “I Have a Dream Speech.” JFK later meets MLK, shakes his hand, and thanks him. “What a day,” the tour guide said as he stood in the Oval Office model in the museum with the original rocking chair that JFK likely used when watching TV. Indeed.

I stop by the shop and get trinkets that easily fit in my bags and are easy to carry. I then, directed by my iPhone, walk five blocks to the bus station. I stop and take pictures of an old armory. A MassU student tells me to just board a MassU transfer bus with them to get to the subway. I do, then get help at the station, and have to remember that the pronunciations of locations here on the East Coast are just as made-up as the West’s, when I am directed, and I cannot understand at first. I put it together and get on the correct train.

 

(Hemingway’s recipe for burgers; the two libraries work together)

It is just a few blocks away, but there are many, many steps to reach my hotel. I drop off my JFK Library items and head back out. It is dark now, but the bookstore around the corner is open. It is a used book and print store. Yay! Commonwealth Books ships, and soon I find two paperbacks that I might have read, but one is signed (the author long gone), and the other is a Judge Dee story (here). I bought them and then paid to have them shipped home.

I next stopped at Elephant and Castle, next door to my hotel. There, I had a few beers and then tried their flight of pies. The chicken pot pie and the steak and mushroom were excellent. The leeks and potatoes were also good.

I returned to my room stuffed and talked to Deborah for a while.

I also received the first bill for the refresh (about 50%) and sent it for payment. There were some questions, but the bill is now being processed. All good.

I slept through the night. The food, the beer, the nearly 8,000 steps, and a comfortable bed helped.

Thanks for reading.