Author: alohawild

I woke with my alarm at 6, and that was not happening. Ugh! After 7, I finally got out of bed, found the shower (it had not moved, but I had been in so many different hotels in a week that I got mixed up), and soon was dressed and had the excellent though industrial complimentary breakfast in the lobby. There, I wrote the blog of my travels and Joyce’s Celebration of Life. It was not without tears and smiles as I wrote it.

I finished in time to find the new rental Air Ford Bronco. It is gas-powered and runs roughly. Additionally, the parking brake mistakenly engages and disengages when the vehicle is in reverse, which is not particularly helpful and likely an undocumented feature of the reverse gear. I had to have that fixed once on the Volvo.

I found the Brooks-Howell Methodist Retirement Home using Nav on my phone. Soon, I connected with Gene (Susie’s uncle) and we headed with 20+ folks from the home for lunch. I drove Gene and used Nav on my phone; the Ford does not offer that, nor a connection to my iPhone that I have made work. To be fair, the trip has been too exhausting to try to make it work.

Lunch was at a what we would call an Italian-Greek fusion place in Oregon, Bellagio Bistro in Asheville, and I had the gyro (as did Gene). It was good. It came with a small Greek salad. We chatted about a few trips and enjoyed the company.

Gene and I returned the Brooks-Howell, and I received a note from a friend with a perfectly matching signature, stating that they had trouble getting some DoorDash Cards to someone. I ordered them, but then my Amazon account got locked. Hmmm. It was a criminal process, commonly referred to as social engineering in hacking. They wanted to “pay me back” by sending money to my accounts and thus get access to my account. I was unable to unlock the account on my Amazon account, and, likely, the few hundred dollars never reached Amazon or the criminals. But it was a reminder that the criminals. It was compelling until the “pay-you-back” part started. Glenda thought it was a criminal mess, but I was not convinced, at first, as the names and signature lines were a perfect match. Ugh!

This is the hook. Delete this. Look for a request to make a payment and repayment, and a short deadline. It fooled me because it was signed perfectly like someone I know. I did not see the email had changed; otherwise, it matched someone I know. Yikes!

Returning to more fun items…

Gene and Glenda had finished some more steps for Joyce’s estate, and then we decided to try the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway. We took my rental and soon crossed the traffic of late Friday in Asheville to the road. We stopped first at the nearby Visitor Center. I found some postcards and a few other things there to take home. We discovered that the road is still mostly closed from the hurricane damage; we had covered 15 miles. The only part available nearby.

I have driven the Virginia section of the same roadway years ago. We enjoyed a pleasant trip and stopped at a craft center where I got some cards. We stopped at the French Broad River overlook, and the road was closed after that. The view was breathtaking, and so was the huge thunderstorm headed towards us!

I am sorry to see the Blue Ridge Parkway closed. It would be an incredible drive. Let’s hope it will return soon.

There was a man using a drone to photograph the river. There was a threat of a thunderstorm, but the wind was quiet and the sun still bright. Near perfect for drone work.

We headed to Stone Ridge via a back-roads path that closely retraced our route on the Parkway. We found easy parking, and there was a table open. The place was loud, but the food was good, and our waiter was helpful. Gene had the ribs, Glenda had trout, and I had the Atlantic salmon. All was good. Gene and Glenda had leftovers for another day.

I returned Gene and Glenda to their house at Brooks-Howell and then missed my exit, taking an indirect route back to my hotel that included a few 10 mph curves. Hmmm.

At my hotel, I rested and soon woke up a few hours later. I had missed saying goodnight to Deborah. I did write a postcard to Mom Wild and took it down to the desk to get it mailed. I checked into my flight on Saturday, and my car return time is 2 p.m.

I then wrote the blog as I wanted to get it done to make the travel day, tomorrow a little simpler.

Thanks for reading. And be careful with those emails!

The goal for Thursday, starting in Dallas, Texas (Joyce’s home state), was to arrive in Asheville, NC, in time for the Celebration of Life service at 3:00 at the Brooks-Howell Methodist home. Yesterday, the bad weather cancelled flights, and I was stuck in Dallas. But I met a friendly staff at the Wingate and had a great burger at the hotel (AA paying the first $12 of it). One has to accept “The Unexpected.”

Another 2 wake up. I set two alarms and woke with the first. I had managed to sleep in yet-another-time-zone (YATZ). I showered and reassembled my few items. I travel with spare underwear, meds, shaving supplies, and so on, for just these possibilities. I did not have another pair of pants or shirt (I usually pack a set, but this was a short trip and I had enough), but I was comfortable in what I had.

In the lobby, I waited for the late shuttle, which was packed with folks when it arrived five minutes late. Dahlia was next to me. A woman I saw the night before was also coming from Portland. We exchanged names and stories as we traveled back to the airport. We arrived and discovered this huge line for security, but then we walked over to another area, and there was no line. We entered and performed the usual rituals. We agreed to split up and meet again at the gate. This time, nothing was detected in my bag. I reassembled and did not see Dahlia, and headed to the gate. The seating was limited, as many people were sleeping at the gate. It was a challenging night for travelers, and many were unable to stay in hotels. I found a seat next to someone sleeping and quietly read things on my phone. Dahlia showed up later and found a seat. We would meet again in Chicago. Soon, the gate folks appeared, and I checked that I was where I was supposed to be and that my bag (still checked) was expected to follow me. Yes, it was. I had paid just under $17 extra to have a middle seat near the front, allowing for easy deplaning and reaching my connection.

I tipped my hat to Dahlia when she got on the plane in the last group. I watched the wonderfully made propaganda piece of the Becoming Led Zeppelin film, which covered all the glory and none of the hardship, and glossed over the sex and drugs. Still, it was a fun movie and fit the two-hour slot. I watched it on my iPhone using my JBL headphones and started before the plane took off. I recommend the film, but it is not an impartial journalistic work.

My plane in Chicago made a gate change before I arrived, which actually made the walk shorter. Maybe all that bad Karma I worked off yesterday would allow a more peaceful day. I found the gate and then walked back to the bagel place, where I got a Chicago-made bagel-like bread product with chopped veggies in the cream cheese and a small coffee. I had ordered a medium, but here in The City of Big Shoulders, nothing is served in medium size! I got a small.

I ate 1/2 the bagel (sliced properly twice, not once) and packed the other side (yes, you eat one side at a time, not one slice) for later on the plane. I got an aisle seat this time (when I made the connection, it was the last seat on the plane), and Dahlia, who booked just before me, had the window seat. Dahlia is a baker in Portland, Oregon, and we had talked about baking in the security line while we waited. She wrapped herself in a coat as a blanket and slept the flight away. I read and napped. It was about ninety minutes, and I was not ready for another movie. I listened to my newest music on my iPhone and my JBL headphones.

I enjoyed music by Of Monsters and Men, Teddy Swims, Frank Ferdinard, Benson Boone, Green Day, Cannons, and more. My favorite is the acoustic version of Eddie Vedder’s Just Breathe. It brought a few tears, as it suits both Joyce and Susie, but gives proof, I think, of how vibrant and talented the current singers are. While it is tempting to love the familiar sounds of Led Zeppelin, the Beatles, and Simon & Garfunkel, I recommend the new stuff. So, please consider this link: Just Breathe.

The last time I saw Dahlia, she was waiting for her bags. She waved as I entered a long queue for rental cars. It was at least in the shade, but NC was hot and damp. I met another baker in Portland on a previous trip and discussed the differences in flour usage between Portland and Las Vegas in detail. Baking fascinates me, and I enjoy speaking with professionals.

In Chicago, I saw another traveller who called out that he had made his short connection (his gate was a few steps away). We were all sharing our stories in the various lines and were all happy to get connections this time. It seemed a happy day.

I got a Ford Bronco and wandered the car lot, as I was assigned car slot #60, and the row started over at the other end. What?! However, I found it, and the gas vehicle drives sluggishly. Nevertheless, after using an EV, I think all gas vehicles seem sluggish. There are no gear changes or extra engine processes for EVs. It just goes.

NC drivers do not yield, and they do not drive as fast as Michigan drivers. I also discovered that slow drivers were mixed in with the NC group, making for a chaotic experience. Abiet, this is a small sample, but so far I have been nearly rammed by a pickup when trying to change lanes with room, and have been stuck in traffic jams three times. I found my hotel, and the staff remembered me (we had spoken on the phone when I was stranded in Dallas), and they were happy to see me. I changed into my suit and headed out. My ruby sparkle vest and pride tie added to the bright colors for Joyce’s Celebration.

(Leta and I get a quick photo in before the service)

I managed to find my way to Brooks-Howell and soon saw everyone. I waited in the Chapel and soon joined the family. The service was the regular Chapter with Joyce being remembered here and there. This was Joyce’s wish. The Pastor, Rev. Kelly Dotson, said that Joyce wore bright, with-a-message T-shirts. “Every shirt a sermon in its own,” the pastor said.

When Jesus stood in the synagogue and declared, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,” he was claiming a faith rooted in freedom, healing, and good news for the poor. Joyce’s life echoed that claim. Her ministry — from Cuba to Argentina, from translation booths to boardrooms — was guided by the same Spirit. She stood with those whose backs were against the wall, offering dignity, advocacy, and compassion.

Joyce was meant to be our liturgist today. I had looked forward to it because her voice was one of the clearest, warmest reading voices I’ve ever heard. Her words always came with presence, with purpose. And Joyce had a way of proclaiming the Gospel not only in Scripture, but in shirts, in stories, and in spirit.

(From an extract supplied by Glenda).

It was a great mix of a service and a celebration of Joyce’s life.

Joyce’s ashes and those of her cat were placed in the rose garden after the service. Joyce’s pastor. Rev. Stephanie Foretich-McKey joined Pastor Kelly in the service. From Pastor Stephanie:

O God, before whom generations rise and pass away,
We praise you for all your servants who, having lived this life in faith, now live eternally with you. Especially, we thank you for Joyce Hill, whose ashes we now commit to the earth.

May this garden hold her with gentleness. May the roots and petals speak of resurrection. May every bloom remind us that love never dies.

Receive her into the arms of your mercy, into the blessed rest of everlasting peace, and into the glorious company of the saints in light.

Words were added to include the cat “Cutie” in the above (again, an extract from Glenda’s text).

We headed to a pizza place after various things were done. I chatted with Gene and nodded off in a chair as the hours of travel caught up with me while the family organized a few things. We had to wait for a table, but the food was soon delivered and enjoyed. We managed to take a group picture.

I was soon back at my hotel. I met Barb and will carry something for her in my checked bag. I was soon in bed. My colon was not happy from the travel, random food, and I soon had some moments that are best not described, but a mess was avoided. I was asleep and woke around midnight, and then a reflux hit me around 1 and was so bad it stopped my breathing for a bit. Not an enjoyable experience. But breathing returned, and I will discuss this with my doctor. Breathing is not optional.

Well, except for the reflux issue, it was a good day. Thanks for reading.

All three alarms worked, and the night came on in the room too; Alexa controls the lights in the bedroom. I was blasted out of bed, showered, shaved, and dressed. Corwin was ready and already in Air VW the Gray connecting his phone and getting Nav working. We headed out by 2:45 and, with Corwin in the pilot seat, we listened to his YouTube channel of AI-generated music with his singing of Viking poetry. Some of it was quite good.

Air VF the Gray handled well, and soon Corwin had me at the airport, maybe it likes Viking poetry with AI-generated soundtracks. I checked my bag without any mistakes, which is good, at 3:20. I found security, and for some reason, all my inhalers were mixed up with sharp knives (this only happened in Portland). Once we cleared that up, I put back on my shoes and got to my gate. The flight to Dallas was full. It was too early for coffee or anything else. I boarded and sat in the wrong seat. I was in the other window seat in the row on the next flight. However, that was soon clarified, and I moved to my correct seat.

We arrived in Dallas at 8 something, and already my next flight had moved two gates and was now delayed three hours. I would spend the whole day in Dallas Airport chasing this flight. I put in 7500 steps on Wednesday and toured all of D and C terminals. After six hours, the flight was canceled.

I found lunch at the same Thai restaurant I had eaten at before. I ate this between various gate changes. I met a military guy and we chatted for a while. Then I had to find my gate.

I finally heard the cancel call and was told to head to D24. There was a line of folks who needed to rebook. I got in the line and rebooked using the app. I would reach Asheville on Thursday (and after a second rebooking in time for the service). I then stayed in line to get a hotel and food for a night.

Joyce Hill passed away unexpectedly last week. Joyce was Susie’s aunt. I have always appreciated her sense of humor and her help. She will be missed. Her service was planned for 3PM on Thursday. I tried to get there the night before.

And while I could write more about the Dallas airport, I think that would be boring. So, a short blog tonight. I can say that B Terminal is lovely and reminds me of other high-end airport terminals in the Middle East and London. And gates around D1-4 have waiters and online ordering. Most of C is terrible and poorly AC’d so you sweat there.

I finally got Wingate as a hotel and a voucher for $12. I walk the long walk out of the airport and, in the hot early evening, stand waiting thirty minutes for my shuttle. The shuttle guys said that they make the best hamber in the area and won awards. I told them that American Airlines picked them because they accept the vouchers.

I was thirty minutes later on the clock before I reached the hotel. Everyone smiled and was sympathetic. A shuttle for Thursday, food, and a room were provided. I covered the cost of a double gin and tonic that went well with their excellent, though not the best I have had, cheeseburger.

I soon crawled into the sheets, with another 2ish alarm set, and slept until about 1:30 (I woke before my alarm).

Thanks for reading.

I rose at 6:30 to start the blog and to travel to Portland to play the Tuesday morning game with James and Richard. I started the blog and reheated the coffee (I had accidentally made it when I set up the coffee for the morning; wrong button pushed). I managed to complete about one-third of the blog and speak with Deborah before I had to shower, dress, and board Air VW the Gray by 8:45 to make the 9:30 game through Portland’s rush hour traffic.

Traffic was slow even for Portland, and I arrived just at 9:30 for what should have been a less than thirty-minute trip. I did see some Teslas changing lanes in unexpected patterns, but with little risk at the slow speeds we were moving. I reached 25 mph a few times.

Richard and James had just started setting up the board game, Tainted Grail 2.0 (there are significant rule improvements in this version, I learned). This is a cooperative role-playing style board game with a dark theme that combines elements of SciFi, Arthurian Legend, and a B-level Swords and Sorcery movie. I have started to like it, but I find board games slow compared to pencil-and-paper RPGs like Dungeons & Dragons or Call of Cthulhu. It uses an app to control the game and to run the story.

We are playing Chapter 2 of the story, and we played until we found a breakpoint at about 1:30. Richard has built up his character for combat. Mine is more about exploring the story. James’ character is more Diplomatic. I managed to explore more of the storyline, but had to exit two fights and only assisted with one. Still, the game was interesting, and the story is compelling.

James gave me a board game to play at the church on Wednesday. He says he has too many games and was happy to send one to found a new church game collection. I will try to play it when I am back from North Carolina.

With the game saved. This means writing stuff down, putting them in bags, and stacking them in order so we can pick up again next week at the same place. It is not a digital process.

I took Air VW the Gray back to the house in light traffic. Corwin was going to have lunch with me, already delayed until 2ish. I waited and started packing and organizing the house. I had already sent out a mail hold and sent a card to Mom Wild. Corwin was delayed.

At 4, Corwin arrives. We go to BJ’s Brewhouse for dinner or lunch, and I have chicken parmesan with a beer. I’m not sure what happened, but I didn’t feel well after dinner. I think I just crashed too hard and should have eaten a snack. I rest and by 7 I am back to packing and say goodnight to Deborah. We try to start or end our days together when we are apart.

Corwin fixes his truck. The idle was adjusted, and suddenly it started working well. He will take it to DEQ and hope it passes on Wednesday! Yay! It looks like the new muffler and other fixes, combined with setting the idle more effectively, have worked.

I took Corwin to Salt and Straw in Beaverton for ice cream to celebrate. I had gelato and Corwin, two scoops. After that, I returned home, loaded my packed bag in the cargo hold of the EV, finished collecting stuff for the strip, and then went to bed. I was rising at 2:15 and managed to sleep for a few minutes. It is hard to sleep on a travel night. I set the alarm on my phone and on Alexa and asked Alexa to turn on the lights at 2:15.

I managed to sleep finally about 1AM, and then was blasted out of my bed at 2:15!

Thanks for reading!

 

 

I woke up early and felt better than I did on Sunday. My sleep was disturbed, but I rose. It was not as hard going as Sunday, but the paperwork was endless as I paid bills, updated travel arrangements, and generally managed to burn away a few hours of the morning before I even noticed. I dressed, talked to Deborah (a most splendid distraction), and soon collected the soaking laundry and recently generated dirty laundry. This mass was loaded in the cargo hold of Air VW the Gray, after removing the paper-boxed board games (I don’t want to get those wet) and headed out on my new quest for clean clothing.

First, I needed dryer sheets. I got some liquid softener for The Machine once it is repaired, and then realized that the stack of quarters was still in the house. The Quest, as I call it now, was already in disarray as I retraced my steps to the house, retrieved the quarters, and started again. Next, realizing that I did not use the ATM at Safeway (I get a refund of all fees since moving my retirement to US Bank), eyes rolling, I stop at the US Bank ATM off of TV Highway, and then use the back way into McDonald’s–retracing again, get change and breakfast, and then pass the ATM again as I reached the Laundry Mat.

The place is hopping. I met a gal who is on a similar quest (“My machine broke two weeks ago”), and soon I was turning paper into metal, as the place only accepts quarters as payment. I put all my laundry in one machine, soaked and double-soaped, including the recent additions, and pay $7.50 for a thirty-minute run (there are smaller and lower-cost machines for smaller runs). The soap bubbles are impressive, but the sealed door and the size of the machine were sufficient to resist the soaping. The rinse and spin were impressive, and soon I used one of their wheel baskets supplied by the mat and loaded up two large dryers. These are American-style gas dryers, and my clothing quickly and efficiently dries.

The place is busy. I see huge piles of little towels being cleaned. I suspect a car wash with hand towels will be ready soon. Others are paying exorbitant fees for the one-use detergent boxes on sale. I see folks headed out and returning with new bottles of detergent after seeing those prices!

I pull the dress shirts out early, put them on hangers, and watch the wrinkles fade. While not as lovely as ironed shirts, these are still good enough for me. The same is done with the pants. Soon, I fold towels and wait for just a few 100% cotton items that seem to enjoy being damp. Finally, I rolled the basket with a hanger area to Air VW the Gray, loaded it up. I have a pocket of quarters, as I had to cash a $20 bill for quarters, but I will likely need to use the laundry mat again on my return.

I stop by the house, gather the laundry piles — already one is there and another from the laundry mat — and hang the items next to my packing area. I have to start packing for Asheville already! Next, the bank contacted me, and I needed to sign a transfer agreement to transfer a gift from my IRA to the church. Off to US Bank after talking to my Wealth Management Team. Soon, that was done. I am covering scholarships for some to take a trip down south to explore civil rights in November.

With the laundry arranged, paperwork done, and US Bank transfer in process, I could take a break. I headed to Wildwood Taphouse and there saw Jim V and JR for a while, but mostly I wanted to write and finish the blog. With a beer and the strange quietness that comes over me in a loud place full of people, I am able to get my focus back and work.

I complete the blog and publish it, and then book my part of the South trip in November (information here). I also revise the fantasy novel I have started and get Scrivener working. This is a tool for writing and organizing. It has helped me.

I return to the house as it gets near dinner time. I took a nap, as the illness from Sunday and the travel were catching up with me (and I had two beers). I reheat the leftover soup from the Chinese-style DoorDash food I ordered on Sunday for dinner. I do the dishes and put away the clothing that is not being packed. I write a summary of the last Dungeons & Dragons game and send it out (I take the notes for the group). Corwin stops by and startles me as I did not hear him. We agree that he will take me to the PDX on Wednesday morning.

I head to bed around 11 and manage to sleep. I do prove my hydration every two to four hours.

Thanks for reading!