Author: alohawild

I had just tried to repaint the radio box, and the product did not cover it and left the damage quite visible–not the look I wanted. I will have to re-sand and try again. I have checked on the Internet and ordered a gel stain and a spray-on satin finish. A setback.

The day started with me struggling to enjoy the morning at 6:30ish so I could be ready for church and write the blog. It was not easy because I was not in bed until after midnight. I found the office, started the laptops, and then walked to the kitchen and made coffee. There I decided to make pancakes, found a very expired buckwheat pancake mix, and decided to give it the last use. The pancakes were good but nearly creps thick as the mix would not rise. I like these, and they remind me of days in Laingsbury in the 1980s when the Lions Club and Business Association would make pancakes for the sidewalk sale; they made buckwheat.

I had pancakes with real maple syrup (if I am going to use sugar–only the best) and 1/2 a can of peaches while I wrote the blog this Sunday morning. Saturday was a busy day, so the blog took a few hours to write, and it still sounded rushed. Finally, I called the hummingbird house and checked with Anassa after 9ish. Susie is up and dressed and will be ready for church. That decided, I shower and dress in a dress shirt, tie, and sweater expecting to take Susie to Palm Sunday Service.

Just in case, I pack up the Apple computer and head out and take Air Volvo across a nearly empty Beaverton. I miss all the photo radar set up by Beaverton’s Finest on the main roads–that is why I use a more indirect route.

The morning started with rain and was cold but not cold enough to snow. Susie is uninterested in experiencing it and decides to stay at the hummingbird house today. Anassa gets Susie in her favorite chair, her rocking chair, and I sit next to her in another chair (one I have spent the night in before), and we decide on Frozen on Disney+. Susie sleeps through much of it but stays stable in her chair. I let her sleep and enjoy all the songs–I know most of them.

After the movie, Susie was looking for lunch and a rest. I stepped out for an hour and had an Ensalda Chicken Platter at Red Robin near Susie’s place and close to the Washington Square Mall. I was surprised they had finally replaced the missing door handle, and the place was filling up. I had my usual bartender, and she was happy to see me as I had been missing for a few weeks. As I had nobody to talk to, I ate pretty fast, and while I did not wear a mask, when folks sat next to me, I used the little machine and paid my tab.

Susie was in the living room when Air Volvo returned me to the hummingbird house. A Hallmark romantic movie played (all B or lesser actors), and Susie napped through most of it. I held her hand, sitting in her wheelchair next to her (she was in her recliner) while she fell asleep. She is happiest falling asleep with me holding her hand next to her. I believe it makes her feel like she is home.

I woke her to say goodbye, my back was hurting, and it was approaching the afternoon. Susie was fine with me leaving and kissed me goodbye–I am not sure she woke up all the way. I took Air Volvo home, noticing the photo radar on the other side of TV Highway. I reached home without police exposure.

I worked on the radio as I already described. I also found that Michael Moorcock had published a new Elric story, a prequel to the third book or so from what I can tell, and I read that on my Kindle. I decided to travel to Wildwood and have a few beers to finish the weekend instead of reading alone. I did reheat some of the pasta and chicken from a few days ago for dinner. That was good, and I watched a WW1 history video while eating it.

I then headed to Wildwood and wrote this blog.

Thanks for reading.

 

On starting late for me, 8ish, I was surprised to see so many good April Fool’s items on the Internet. I found a few interesting ones, took screenshots, and sent the image by iPhone, and others I posted on FaceBook. I sent Richard a request to play a mad game today, so we played Wonderland’s War for today’s Saturday Night game.

But, moving to Saturday morning, I made breakfast. I opened a can of hash from the pantry, found the non-stick pan (thanks, Steve), and fried some hash. I also got out the small non-stick pan and fried an egg to go over the hash. I made some toast with some low-sugar jam to go with that, just one slice.

I have decided to cook breakfast on the weekends. Using the food in the house is just a good idea, and taking the time and thought seems to help me focus a bit. It was also delicious.

Trying not to overeat, I placed 1/2 of the hash in a glass container (thanks, Gene and Glenda) for a snack later. It is too easy to finish all the food–trying to not do that. And a snack later is also so good.

I did sign back into work. I did my timesheet and checked that nobody was genuinely looking for our team to work this weekend. Getting a work-free weekend is unusual of late.

I wrote the blog and acquired tickets for the Dungeons and Dragons movie at the IMAX for Susie and myself. A wheelchair spot for her and a companion. Yes, just like Doctor Who, I am Susie’s companion.

Once I had written the blog, drank all of the French Press-produced liberal coffee, showered, and dressed, I boarded Air Volvo and took it to Susie’s place at the hummingbird house in Portland (Tigard) at 9925 SW 82nd. Ave. Portland (Tigard), OR 97223; phone (503) 246-4116.

Anassa, the weekend nursing aide, had Susie ready with her already having finished breakfast and her coat on. Susie was prepared for a movie. I wheeled her out to Air Volvo and followed the usual boarding procedure: I lifted Susie from the wheelchair, landed her on the seat edge, pivoted her in the seat, and then adjusted and belted her in. I then loaded the wheelchair into the cargo hold. It is a short flight to Bridgeport Village (a California-styled outdoor mall now being revised to better fit six months of rain) and Regal’s IMAX. We found our seats; I acquired popcorn and the usual items and waited for the movie. Evan met us at the cinema.

We got the start time, it was dark, and nothing happened. I thought the shadows or other wicked undead would rise any moment. Maybe a trap would take out an unwary person heading out to ask WTF of the staff. Instead, we stayed safe, protected, and fortified by popcorn, Diet Coke, and other items. Finally, ten minutes late, the movie started. Again, no undead arose that I witnessed.

The previous two D&D movies, even with a talented team of actors, could not save the poor script and the sort of random inclusion of D&D gaming content. No spoilers, but it was an excellent adventure sword and sorcery movie, one of the best, and unlike the Tolkien films with the weighty things to complete, this was just fun: More John Wick (or Gray Mouser and Fafhrd) than Narnia or Tolkien (and without the blood splatters). Susie, Evan, and I loved it.

Susie was leaning to the right and fighting to stay awake when I returned her to the hummingbird house after the movie (I had no problem loading her). Louis, one of the live-in nursing aides and Jennifer’s husband, was making dinner when we arrived, and he took over and got Susie comfortable. I called later, and he said she was sleeping soundly, but we agreed she would get up for some dinner.

Next, Evan met me at the Lucky Labrador in Portland, a bar and food joint with large tables and open seating that welcomes gamers. There I had a Czech-styles beer and a BLT sandwich–they make a great one. Evan had a few beers and a salad. There we played the board game Wingspan, the basic version, for two games.

The basic version has some issues with randomness, and Evan got to experience this with me, with me winning by about twenty points in the first game. Wingspan is a worker placement and resource management game with little player interaction from Stonemaier Games, which produces lovely but unique games. Wingspan’s game mechanisms are a bit obscure, but once you get them down, it is a fast and excellent (if a bit random) game. The bartender commented on how beautiful the game looked, and we had a few customers at the Luck Labrador stop-and-watch. We rushed through a second game, which was more even, but I still managed to pull out a win by just a few points. As the game ended, my internal count said I was behind, so I played a bird (card) worth the maximum (nine points) that had just come up, and that play won for me.

My time was out, and I paid the bill, crossed over Portland, leaving behind slightly seedy Hawthorn, and found the nice houses near Broadway, Richard lives in a nice neighborhood. Richard was ready to play Wonderland’s War when I arrived. This mad game is an example of an overbuilt Kickstarter game with bright colors and dudes on a board entirely done in custom figures fitting the Alice in Wonderland look. The game has two phases that are repeated three times. The Tea Party, when resources, goals, and upgrades are acquired in a slightly competitive rush at the party. The resources include getting more figures from Wonderland; I had the dormouse. Next, battles in five territories from the story. When battling, you pull resources from a bag, which can help or be madness. I went mad (I was playing the Hatter, so it seemed normal to me) in the last battle but still won. The game is a strange mix of resources planning and totally mad, pulling random good or bad things from a bag. Fun!

Richard crushed us with a 100+ score, with me lapped with a 62 score (good for me) and our other player struggling to learn the game making a lower but good first-time score.

Next, we played a card-based resource management game: 51st State. I learned the game and played it for an hour. Richard won, as expected, but I liked the game, and now that I understand it, I look forward to another fast game. The theme is post-apocalyptic, which I dislike, but the game did not focus on that.

After that, I drove home, taking the huge on-ramp to the tall bridge that felt like a rocket ship ramp rather than a roadway. I arrived home without incident or much traffic. I had the remaining hash as a snack with my pills, read for a few minutes, and fell asleep.

Thanks for reading.

 

I am writing this on 1April2023, and the online jokes are already on YouTube. The rains have paused, and the water is no longer pouring out of my house’s gutters like a broken pipe. When I drove home from Portland last night, Air Volvo flew through puddles halfway over the lane and tossed water as high as its roof. Being an overly polite Oregonian, I did look that there were no folks nearby, then Air Volvo crashed through the puddles–I think I can hear Air Volvo giggle.

It was Friday and a work-from-home day, so I slept into 7ish and did my first Zoom meeting at 8AM, a team meeting. The status meetings went on every half hour through the morning, all on Zoom. The general debate was that our project was two days late, and the weekend was not used to catch up on the lost time. Also, the long-running jobs could not be started on Friday night as originally planned. A clear weekend for everyone–yes.

I followed along as the project continued to run the preparational steps for the data conversions and made Clam Chowder for lunch with some garlic toast (premade in the freezer, Texas Toast brand). The effects of it being Friday and Spring Break started to show as the issues quieted. I headed out in Air Volvo to see Susie at the hummingbird house in Portland (Tigard) at 9925 SW 82nd. Ave. Portland (Tigard), OR 97223; phone (503) 246-4116.

The traffic was heavy as it was Friday afternoon in Beaverton, and the construction closed various lanes here and there. Without issue and seeing none of Beaverton’s Finest in the pouring rain giving out tickets, I slowly reached Susie’s place.

Susie was in bed, she often rests in the afternoons, but today she had tummy issues and was on her side in her bed. I had to wake her. She was delighted to see me, and we soon called Leta, her mother, on the iPhone. Leta and Susie chatted for some time, seeing each other on FaceTime–I held the phone as Susie was still on her side. Michelle Nixon, who runs the houses, brought in her grandbaby and let Susie hold the child. Susie was delighted, and Leta was still on the phone and happy to watch and talk to Michelle.

After the baby event, it was time for me to leave and Leta to ring off. Susie was disappointed, but no tears and my wet trip to the Volvo Cave was without incident or police involvement. I was tired today. I rested a bit, but kept checking in.

Mariah suggested Von Eberts in the Pearl District in Portland for an early dinner, and I agreed. Back to face Friday night (ugh!), wet traffic. I arrived at 5PM after taking an hour to travel from the Volvo Cave to Portland and saw the messy wet Friday parking situation and thus parked in the parking garage across the street from Von Eberts. Plenty of dry safe parking for a price.

There I had two beers, a set of the world’s best smoked, and then sauced wings. I heard that the wings are so good that the chickens volunteer. The food was great. There are no waiters, you have to use Toast to order, and then very helpful folks deliver your food. American baseball was on the big screens; it was the opening day. Mariah and I talked about some writing we have not done (someday!) and worked a bit. Mariah has finished another month’s end (part of her compensation is sales commission) above the target and was likely a leader this month–all good.

I headed to Powells and met a nice guy in the gaming section, and we talked about role-playing games. He did go Gamestorm and played mostly RPG games (I passed due to the continuing pandemic and all those other interesting colds, flu, and coughs out there now; next year!). I am sure we will see each other again, and we shook hands (I do that now and wash my hand) and exchanged names. While tempted, I managed to just look today. I also still social distance and so I had to wait here and there to get to a book. There are more wonderful cookbooks again–I resisted as I have two I am still reading.

I found the car, found the tiny paper you need to pay in my pocket, paid, and then left. As I have said, there are no issues returning home other than puddles.

I went to bed early. I read a bit, but I was too tired to read much. I have put away the brain cookies and returned to The Song of the Cell from the same author who wrote the history of cancer treatment in The Emperor of All Maladies, which I highly recommend (it won the Pulitzer). This newish book (everything about medicine predating the pandemic seems dated) is an excellent read, and the subject, cells, fascinates me.

I did not return to the radio project as I make mistakes when tired–no time to use glues, knives, hot soldering irons, and cutting wires! The wood box needs to sanded and coated. Next are the nobs, buttons, and casting the buttons into a light display. Soon!

I received more radio project parts, eyeing the next radio already received. I may try to make a PCB board now that I have done two of these. It is fun to code, construct, and assemble these projects.

Thanks for reading.

 

Beginning the narrative with the more important moments, I visited Susie at about 11AM after finishing her breakfast. I had no meetings from 10AM to 1PM, so I was not rushed like the previous days. Susie was also awake, not sleepy this time. She was delighted to see me early and happy when I told her I could stay longer today while I had to return to work; I was not rushed. I had traveled from work to Susie without issue; the hummingbird house is at the hummingbird house in Portland (Tigard) at 9925 SW 82nd. Ave. Portland (Tigard), OR 97223; phone (503) 246-4116.

We spent about forty minutes together. We called her mother, Leta, on the iPhone using FaceTime so they could see each other. Susie demonstrated that her right arm is working again, but her hand is weak from less use from the stroke of November 2021, which affected her right side, ability to swallow, and speech. I have to watch Susie in the wheelchair or the rocking chair as she can suddenly lean on the right side without knowing it and, if I am inattentive, fall. When Susie is tired, she is very prone to leaning to the right.

Susie was thrilled to talk to Leta and have me there, not rushed, and she was not sad or tired today–a change from yesterday. I showed Susie on my iPhone her sister Barb’s, who is traveling in Ireland with her husband Gordon, photographs on FaceBook, and some shopping pictures Barb sent me today. I was nearly an hour meeting with Susie when it was time to leave. Susie was yawning and ready to nap in her recliner in the living room. I could have used a nap too. I got a kiss goodbye, and Susie understood that I had to leave. No tears today.

Returning to the morning, I debated if I would get going at 6AM when the alarm went off. I went as far as resetting the alarm, but finally, wasting only five minutes, I just jumped out of bed. Then, I commanded light from Alexa and turned on all the lights. That helped.

I had cottage cheese (dusted with pepper, sea salt, and smoked paprika) and 1/2 a can of peaches. This was matched with liberal coffee made in my French Press. There were no ants in the kitchen, but a few appeared in the office and the bathroom. I may have to expand my efforts.

Before enjoying my repast or taking my meds, I did the basic exercises, which were a bit of a struggle as yesterday’s full set of stretches and exercises had left me stiff. Nevertheless, I pushed through the basic set. This gave me enough time not to rush breakfast and read some news and my personal emails. Of course, I also read all the work emails and Slack Channel updates. I like being prepared for the day and informed of the news.

After this, I showered and dried my long hair with a towel. It is getting thick again. I dressed, boarded Air Volvo at 7:30, and reached the office before 8AM. I then enjoyed hours of Zoom meetings. I take the rest of the coffee from the French Press as a thermal cup; I get more when I get a short break between meetings. The project buys everyone’s coffee from the coffee shop (they serve Starbucks, of course) until 10AM.

Aside: My oncologist’s office called and told me they were moving my appointment out as they needed my appointment for another patient; it was important that the patient see the oncologist soon. I was happy to oblige, as mine was just a survivor appointment. I was pleased to not need an emergency appointment and could move mine out to help. I am glad to help a fellow cancer patient!

Skipping to the end of the workday, I was back after eating lunch at Panera Bread. I was hoping the strawberry salad was back, but not yet here (Leta got one in Michigan), but instead had a chicken salad sandwich and a cup of broccoli cheddar soup. I did more meetings, one chaotic and the rest the usual status. I needed to do some chores at home, so I headed out at 3ish.

I got home in light traffic, just before the schools let out, and arrived and picked up some items. I then headed out to do the chores. I mailed a package to Zorida that had come back–the machine at the post office did not charge me enough postage, and it returned to me. I remailed it. I stopped by my bank’s ATM to have it refuse to deposit the $1 medical check. Puke. I will have to do this at a bank office (old school)–I put the check in the door of Air Volvo and will try to get that done. I gassed up the car at $4.09 (remember, we do not have sales tax) a gallon.

I returned and signed back in; no issues looking for me at the shoe company. I rested for a bit and checked again. Nope.

I boiled water, defrosted skinless and boneless chicken thighs, fried them in butter with Herbs de Province, salt, and smoked paprika, and heated Alfredo sauce from a bottle in a pan. I baked the browned but still undercooked chicken in a preheated oven for twenty minutes to finish cooking. To do this, I transferred the chicken to a glass pan; I cooked the chicken in my non-stick pan (thanks, Steve), and that pan should not go into the oven. Next, I cooked rigatoni pasta from a box and mixed it all together after splitting the chicken thighs on a cutting board. It was a bit plain (I had not marinated or broiled the chicken), but I still had a few bowls.

I packed the uneaten portion for leftovers in glassware (thanks, Gene and Glenda).

I watched The Long Halloween (part 1), an animated Batman movie that I strongly recommend and still watch over and over. It is fun to rewatch as I try to catch all the giveaways you miss in the first viewing. I will watch part 2 later.

I then returned to the office and worked on the wooden radio box for my project. I reglued some delaminating veneer and then replaced tiny bits here and there. I have some oak veneer (not finished) that I will dye to the correct color (I have the dye for my wooden models from OcCre in Spain–excellent stuff). I should then repaint the wood with stain and ploy I have already purchased. I staked a pile of books on the wood to push the veneer back in place (adding white glue to hold the new form).

I also watched the newest The Mandalorian episode. I found this one, Pirate, less believable. but still an excellent show.

I want to work on my radio project tonight, but I am tired. So I think I will read and fall asleep instead.

Thanks for reading.

I will start in the middle today with the sad part of the day; I reached Susie in the afternoon at the hummingbird house in Portland (Tigard) at 9925 SW 82nd. Ave. Portland (Tigard), OR 97223; phone (503) 246-4116. I had spent the morning working at the shoe company office building for the project called the Clubhouse (originally the golf building), which is not on the Nike WHQ, but just a short drive away. After breakfast, she napped in her recliner in the shared living room. Susie woke and smiled when she saw me. Susie is always happy when I visit.

As always, we use my iPhone to call Leta (Susie’s mother) in Lansing, Michigan, on FaceTime. Susie and Leta are happy to see each other and chat for a while. Susie’s language is still difficult to understand (the stroke was on the right side two Novembers ago and impaired her speech), but the managed to have a nice time talking.

It was time for me to go, I had to return to work and find some lunch, but Susie said, “no, not so soon.” She had tears in her eyes. She is also yawning and falling asleep and complains that she is falling asleep. Susie does not want this reality today where she is trapped falling asleep not in her house and not with her family (me). Susie tells me not to go. Her eyes are wet. I stay just a bit longer and hold her hand, she starts again to nod off, and she agrees I can go, but I promise to return on Thursday and a movie on Saturday when I am not working. I leave with a kiss with the image of Susie’s tears.

I am not OK after this, and the rest of the afternoon at work is lost. I researched Git and discussed some work items and career planning with the younger members, but it was all like a dream. I was miserable and sad. The worst days are when Susie wants her life back and asks me to stay and help her. I still have to work and can visit every day, but not for long.

I have tears, and I am lost today. It is hard today. It sucks.

Returning to the story, After leaving Susie, I get some lunch somewhere–Panera Bread nearby. I have a salad that I barely taste. I read some articles on my phone, trying to distract myself. I then head back to work but have to turn around–I was driving to see Susie again. My mind wants to stay with her, but I find a street, turn around, and find my way back to Nike’s Clubhouse building. I sit in Air Volvo, trying to find my focus–it is not coming. I walk into the building, and slowly my focus resettles a bit. But I am sad all day, and tears come unbidden while reading Slack channel updates or emails.

I walk down to the coffee folks. Nike has a coffee for sale in our building. The baristas are falling asleep–there are no customers (most folks are off or working from home this week–Spring Break); they are happy to make me a coffee drink–I let them pick it. They are happy for a distraction. I return up the stairs–I no longer feel exhausted from using the stairs or feel like I will fall–better.

Work ends after 5PM, and I drive to Beaverton’s Cedar Hills strip mall and try Shack Shack; I have never been to one. A kind manager with a head scarf and a Midwest accent helps me order on a screen; I select the recommended white truffle-flavored burger, fries, and a Diet Coke. She even arranges lettuce on my burger and brings me my to-go order. Quite kind and that brightens my day–kindness goes a long way when you are sad.

I drive to First United Methodist in Beaverton and eat my delicious burger and fries in Air Volvo. Z and Dondrea pull in. I spend the evening playing board games with Z. First is Wingspan, two quick games, and then two games of Azule in which I might have made a mistake scoring, so we will call those ties.  Z and I needed a distraction, so we focused on the game and forgot everything else.

I have described Wingspan before; it is a newish game and elegant once you get the rules down. It allows you to build a virtual bird sanctuary and Euro-game-style engines with the birds you attract. Today, I was far ahead, but I got lucky and got some very good combinations of bird cards; I have played the game when I got nothing useful and watched as another player just crushed it–my turn to get all the cool cards (birds). Still a fun game, but just a bit too random for me in the original version. I have played with the expansion–Wingspan European Expansion, which is less random–I need to get that. Z had a good time with me; I won by less than ten points in the two games.

I am calm again, and the sadness is mostly gone now (the writing brings back damp eyes for me–but that is why I write; I want to remember and record every day–they are precious to me). Dear reader, I’m sorry if today is a downer, but I want to write the truth as I experience it.

I am feeling better now.

The morning started with me wondering how 6AM could be so soon. I found breakfast, an NYC bagel defrosted for 15 seconds in the microwave. Liberal coffee to join that. I read emails, Slack channel updates, and the news to prepare for my Wednesday. I did all my exercises and then dressed and rushed out the door. I made it in time for all the meetings starting at 8AM.

A hard day, but kindness surfaced from a stranger, and some fun with Z relieved the pain.

I took off the days after my birthday Monday 17April-18April. I wanted some days off with a chance to hang out longer with Susie.

Thanks for reading.