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Deborah was returning to Michigan today, but not until the evening. When she rebooked her visit after family events, she decided to return to Michigan late and a day later than originally planned. This meant we had most of Sunday together.

I woke to Deborah playing word games, which she usually does, waiting for me to wake. The time difference means that Deborah is always waking ahead of me. I climbed out of bed, which was very comfy, and went to find the coffee. I am grinding beans for this implementation of coffee (to misuse a computer term) from the 185th Corner veggie market, “Gather, Darkness” roasted and gathered by Roasted By Mom, another liberal coffee product (and recommended). The ground coffee bean results set was installed in the coffee maker, the batch processes executed, and no failures were detected. Success! The users were satisfied with the results and signed off by having their cups refilled. With the high level of success, an after-action review is not scheduled at this time.

A light breakfast of bagels with various toppings was combined with coffee. We spent the morning together and later, around noon, found our way to Tom’s Pancakes in Beaverton for lunch or a second breakfast. I managed to get the laundry started and review some transactions in Quicken to finish 2025 and get it ready for tax paperwork.

Deborah had 1/2 of a huge omelet with veggies and cheese (I had the other half while writing this), hash browns, and raisin toast. I had bacon, poached eggs, and pancakes. While the breakfast was as expected, Deborah liked the place, but she thought the prices were high (they are). Waiters in Beaverton, according to the Internet, get about $21 an hour (with tips), while in other places they get about $15 an hour (with tips). The difference (and the impact of various taxes on earnings in the Greater Portland area, but not sales tax, which we don’t have) means a higher price at our Pacific Northwest restaurants.

The food was good, and we then headed, having brought better outdoor shoes and coats, to the Hoyt Arboretum in Washington Park, overlooking Portland and Beaverton. We first stopped at the visitor center, got a map, and advice from Elizabeth, who was working at the store. Later, we would get a few items, a poster, and hanging kit for Deborah and a book on moss for me. I find reading popular-science books by experts a chance to learn new things and concepts.

We walked the Redwood and Spruce trails, with many ups and downs and a few places that were starting to get steep. It was about an hour walk, and the trees and moss were peaceful and lovely. The trails are only squishy in a few places and never really muddy. We were in coats and waterproof shoes and boots for the rain and Oregon Mist, and enjoyed the walk and soon were warm, almost too warm, in our coats. No slips or falls. We did the bamboo, saw multiple types of redwoods, and I learned that coastal redwoods grow taller than giant sequoias but are not as massive. Still, the redwoods were impressive!

Deborah wants to return to the Hoyt Arboretum next time she is here (actually, every time she is here, she said). Deborah loves forests. With Deborah having set up my Apple Watch, I tracked my walk and closed many of my circles during it! We enjoyed our visit and quickly traveled home to clean up and then head to our airport, PDX. We stopped by the Columbia Employee Store as we headed home (it was AAA month, and Deborah got in with her membership card), and Deborah acquired another shirt. She loved the one she bought and wanted another color.

Aside: My watch is set to call for help if I fall.

The trip to PDX was quick and uneventful, and we both felt the weight of our long-distance relationship return. We will be back together in Salt Lake City in about 25 days, but it was soooo niiiice to be together at the house. I drop off Deborah, and we have the classic kiss, then text a few minutes later saying we already miss each other.

It was a fantastic last day together.

Next, I arrived at M@’s place only a few minutes late for our every two-week 2024 Dungeons & Dragons game. Our group avoids combat, and we spent much of our time working out ways to solve the adventure with minimal fighting. We did manage to unlock much of the adventure, but we had some complex problems when folks fell into a trap of sorts that will be resolved next session in March.

With that, I headed home and got word that Deborah’s plane had landed in Seattle. She was upgraded on the short flight to First Class, and would take, at 11:30 a Comfort seat back to Detroit all night. Deborah arrived safely in the morning and returned to work on Monday.

Thanks for reading.

I woke with a bad headache at 7ish after waking a few times. It felt like a metal band had been wrapped around my head and tightened. My jaw hurt as I had been locking it against the pain while I slept. Not a great start to the day. I sat up in a chair and took some pain relivers and that helped. I showered, and the warm air helped with my sinuses. Deborah made some instant oatmeal for breakfast; I slowly improved. It was a tough morning.

I had put a light dose of one of the new creams for my rash, but it has side effects, including flu-like symptoms. I was not positive I had a migraine headache or a reaction to the new medication. After dressing, I left Deborah at the house while I picked another set of prescriptions a few minutes away at Walgreens, but decided not to try them while Deborah is here. I do not want to expose anyone to the creams or to get flu-like symptoms while she is here. A few days’ wait will be OK.

Deborah and I boarded Air VW the Gray and drove an hour to Gresham to meet Julie, a woman we both went to school with in Laingsburg, Michigan. It was an uneventful drive across Beaverton and Portland in the rain. Our sunny days are over for Deborah’s remaining days here. We parked in Gresham downtown and walked to the Mediterranean place for lunch. We met Julie there, and we had a nice lunch and chat. We talked about travel, retirement, and some good memories. We try to meet with Julie when we overlap; sometimes here and sometimes in Laingsburg.

Deborah ordered a wrap (it was huge) while I ordered the kabob bowl, which was a good size for lunch. Julie had already eaten, but had some bread. We had Turkish coffee for two, and somehow I poured grounds into Deborah’s cup. We had some hummus to go with their excellent giant bread.

After having a nice lunch and chat, we said our goodbyes. Deborah and I spotted two different gaming stores and had a look. We were tempted by some games, Deborah likely the Star Trek one (but it required three players), but we managed to resist. The EV then recrossed back, and we were soon home.

I was tired, and the headache threatened to rise again. The bed was warm and comfy, and with painkillers and an excellent choice. We rested for a few hours.

We rose and headed to one more dinner together for this trip. We got a table at Golden Valley Brewery and had a lovely meal together. Deborah going for the fish and chips, and I their meatloaf. The Riesling she ordered, locally made, was not as good as a Michigan one, I agreed. The price tag at GVB is never low, but the food and service were good.

We returned home and made a chocolate fondue kit for ST V day. It is a small kit with just a cup of chocolate, but it was nice. We finished the night watching the last two episodes of Elsbeth season 2 together.

I started to write the blog while Deborah was reading.

Thanks for reading!

 

 

 

 

Working backwards, it is now Friday night, and it is getting late. Deborah and I are back from a long day driving a large circle in Oregon. We met Mariah at Nudi Noodle Place in Portland, Oregon’s Woodstock neighborhood. We had arrived from Mt. Angel, to the East of Portland, a bit early, and walked the area. The hardware store was wonderfully well-stocked, and Deborah found a Mini Hot Wheels she did not have (a new 2026 release); we purchased it. We then had drinks and an appetizer while waiting for Mariah. The Crab Ragoon was excellent.

We ordered after Mariah arrived and joined us. Pad See Ew for Deborah; Mariah and I both picked a noodle dish (I kept calling mine “Spicy Biscuit” instead of “Spicy Brisket”). I did have to scrape off the hot chili paste after nearly choking on the spices. It was still wonderful. The food was great, and we had dessert, Tiramisu.

We talked for hours about many subjects. We did talk about my doctors and my new diagnosis of psoriasis and the complex but new treatments. I also have a needle biopsy coming up for the tumor in my salivary gland (this was Thursday’s appointment that I have not covered yet). As the place closed, we said goodbye and headed home. Air VW the Gray, following Nav, found its way home without incident, though there was one close call when a car merging kept in line with the EV instead of slowing down or speeding up. I flew the EV at 80+ to clear the way. We soon found our way to bed and me to the Apple to write this blog.

On our way near Portland, we passed by the butte, which is the namesake of the town of Mount Angel, and we saw signs to the brewery. There is a monastery on the volcanic hill above the town, and it has recently opened a brewery. We stopped and visited the open-to-the-public walking paths after parking off a forested road. Monks were stopping and praying at the Stations of the Cross on the hill. The trees on the path were huge, and the view of Mount Hood was breathtaking. It was a good break and walk.

Before this, we were at the sausage store in Mt. Angel, and I got a few packages of frozen sausages and a bag of dried spatzel. There is a restaurant too, though we were not interested in dinner there today.

I think we might have a possible new trip for the church: maybe a tour of the monastery, a tour of Gordon House, and dinner at Mt. Angel for some German-style food.

Before Mt. Angel, we were in Silverton and had tickets at 2 for Gordon House. The Gordons had the only Frank Lloyd Wright (FLW) house built in Oregon. It was built near the end of Wright’s life and finished after his death, but it was still designed by him and his staff, and people connected with him completed the house.

The house now is what could be salvaged and moved to a new location. Some of the cement and cement blocks had to be remade, but the majority of the house survived (it certainly reminded me of the ones I saw in New Hampshire). The house, with its 15% angles (matching a comfortable car seat from Mr. Gordon’s pickup), and the cedar are lovely. I would recommend it, and it is my first two-story FLW house.

Deborah was amazed by how appealing the horizontal lines made it. So simple, but so well done. I was surprised by how practical this house was and how easy it seemed to live in compared to the ones I saw. To me, it looked more ready to use.

After the tour, we tried the Oregon Garden, but it was closed at 3, and it was still really winter. I imagine it would be better in the Spring. Instead, we headed to a local Starbucks and had coffee, used restrooms, and got ready to drive more (though, as I said above, we had more experience in Mt. Angel than I planned).

We rose early, had some food with coffee, and then I dressed and headed to my dermatologist, who agreed with me that I needed more help and a new diagnosis. More pills, ointments, and tests. It looks like psoriasis will require injections and an expensive regimen over time to clear it. But new creams and other treatments for now, until we get that handled. I returned home, and Deborah and I spent the morning together.

Thursday ended with dinner again with friends, Dondrea and Z, with Deborah and me at Pepita’s Mexican Restaurant & Cantina in Beaverton. There, we enjoyed a Mexican-style repast and drinks. Deborah and I were both tired and soon went home to rest. Sleep came quickly, but my rash bothered me a few times.

Before this, we drove back through Washington State and Portland on the way from Astoria. We had started at the seen-better-days-but-not-yet-out River Walk Inn, spending the morning together and enjoying the complimentary industrial breakfast there.

We had an hour or so to spare, so we headed to the ocean. We drove the EV to the South Jetty Overlook in Fort Stevens Park. It is a small wood lookout built over the jetty to see the ocean crashing without having to risk the less-than-easy walk on the jetty itself. I did start at the wrong side, and we had to drive out to the other section of Fort Stevens, but we found the day passes there, and that made us legal. The area is full of cannons and other interesting things, but we just had time for a few of the ocean.

It was a sunny, magnificent day on the coast. It had snowed the day before. Now it was not raining, and the wind was not terrible. An excellent day to visit the jetty. The waves, some I think ten feet, were crashing on the stones, some splashing the top of the jetty!

We then drove back to Astoria.

We parked Air VW the Gray at a Fast Charge station across from the KFC and a local coffee drive-thru and walked to a place for lunch (though we were still full from breakfast). Bridge Water Bistro in the Red Building was excellent, and we took half our sandwiches back with us. We opened the place (the doors were still locked). It has an excellent view of the last stretch of the Columbia River before it reaches the jetties and the Pacific.

We stopped at Josephson’s Smokehouse, just a few miles later, and a local tradition, and got some fish to go with an ice pack (that Deborah arranged to protect the sandwiches too). We then took the highway East back towards home.

The drive is lovely, though not the best parts of Washington State, and in ninety minutes (or less), I was at the wrong location for my doc. We took the three minutes (I a bit stressed now) drive to the correct location, and soon I met with ENT surgeon. The recommendation, and I agreed, was, as I said above, a needle biopsy to better understand the tumor in my neck. It is very unlikely to be cancer, but the surgeon would like more information before deciding on options. If not cancer, it could even be watched for a few years and ignored. I will hear more once insurance and orders are sent.

Deborah and I watched the next episode of Elsbeth and then headed out to dinner.

And that takes me full circle!

Thanks for reading!

Today we had an easy start, reheating the food from dinner and some bagels. We kept the morning lazy, and since I had written a two-day blog, I did not need to write. Coffee was waiting, and Deborah and I just had a nice morning together.

[Sorry, I am late delivering this]

We packed a day-trip bag for each and were soon on the road westward to Astoria. I had planned to go through Washington State, but my Nav had other plans. We also saw three coffee places and were sure the next one would be our stop, but of course, the next one was at Astoria. The trip was non-eventful, and the EV started at 100% and was at just under 60 when we arrived. We could, with no safety return and charge at home, but I will pay for a charge in Astoria to keep us safe. At the tallest, the passes were covered in snow and mixed precipitation, with my wipers going nonstop. No slipping, and I did not switch to mountain mode. I carry traction devices (a kind of tire sock), but I did not feel the need to use them.

I did carry a heavy coat, boots, and gloves in Air VW the Gray. You have to always assume the worst when crossing passes here. I never had to put them on.

It was the winding two-lane with blind spots and no shoulder (kind of a cliff) on Cornelius Pass Road near home that scared Deborah the most. It was not too busy, and no jerks were going stupidly slow or fast (or both). The passes and Highway 30 were easy.

We arrived, found coffee, and went to a cafe after parking a block away. We shared a hummus plate (and got regular hummus after we got the curry version in error). I had a Sazerac that left me slurring my words. Wow! We walked that off, and I found some excellent books I wanted/purchased at GodFather Books. We then tried a few antique stores. I found some overpriced (I thought) keys removed from typewriters and bought “Shift Freedom” for us. It seemed to speak to our times.

Another bookstore with a TARDIS and a TARDIS fairy door for sale (purchased), plus signed books that made Deborah happy (details withheld, as some are gifts). The kind clerk, possibly the owner, pointed us back towards the Superclub for dinner.

Dinner at the place was excellent. Deborah had the halibut, and I had the fried oysters. I skipped the prawns as I am seldom impressed by them, but they were highly recommended, and I might have missed out. I like my New Orleans style, at best. I like them peeled and cleaned, too.

It was an excellent night.

The hotel I didn’t mention, the River Walk Inn, was average and seen better days, not great, and the price, $78, was OK for what we got. A very average, slightly renovated, older hotel. Our room was small and was a bridge construction theme, with a blown-up copy of the plans on the wall, bridge parts, and even a locker that was not-as-clean-as-a-hotel room-prop as I want. Hmmm. The fireplace was just a fire-like light panel above the fridge and the microwave above it (no, really ). It was OK, and the breakfast on Thursday morning was OK, industrial. The price is right, and if you want to save some $ and be near the tourist railroad, not bad. But not as clean as we like.

We then returned to our room. We rose with the sunrise the next morning.

Thanks for reading.

 

 

Today, Tuesday, I have my laptop back with a new screen and connecting parts. The entire assembly must be replaced due to screen cracks caused by a fall. There is a $99 AppleCare fee for breakage (about $800 without it). Given that Apple’s replacement-level laptop is priced over $2000, it is reasonable to pay $100.

There was a little drama getting it back. Apple sent me the tracking number for the Apple, and it was finally delivered on Tuesday, but not at the house, but at Best Buy, where I turned it in for service. Hmmm. Deborah and I headed there in Air VW the Gray after lunchtime. We had a larger breakfast and a second breakfat including a bagel with salmon and cream cheese. No reason for lunch. The Best Buy Geek Squad, after a short wait, informed me that I was at the wrong Best Buy (I remembered I had been running late and had gone to the one closer to Beaverton).

Note: Difference between nerd and geek here.

I arrived at the correct Best Buy; Deborah made no comment, and I waited now longer. Soon, using my paperwork from when they took it, I brought in this time (which has a barcode), and they found it and returned it to me. I later learned that they had to give me an appointment and then fulfill the appointment to return my machine to me. Very much like the ticket processing we did at the shoe company. The Apple laptop was intact and booted with my data. Yay!

Next, using the Colombia Employee Store pass Joan S gave me, we drove a few more miles in Beaverton to the edge of Portland and visited the store. I had been there once before to pick up waterproof gear for our Iceland trip. There I found a sweater for 50% off and also a plaid red shirt (I don’t have one). Deborah found an excellent pull-over sweater, a new coat, and the shirt she had mailed. Columbia lets you send items at a discount; Deborah and I were impressed by the equipment and how well-planned the story is.

We took a quick trip to the house with our loot, then headed to decarli (always in lowercase). The wine, food, and dessert, our alternative for St. V day that we missed, was wonderful. I had the short ribs, and Deborah had the bricked stuffed chicken. They were both wonderful, and I would order the chicken next time as the flavors were excellent and complex; the beef was great. Well maybe. All of it was good, and we finished with sharing and apple crisp. A great meal and decarli’s was running a bit low key on Mardi Gras (and no New Orleans specials on the menu). It was grand.

 

We returned to the house, and I began writing this blog while Deborah read, then slept. The time difference is hard at night once it is dark. Your body wants to sleep (I remember from my trips).

Returning all the way to Monday, Deborah’s plane arrived at 12:35, and I met her at PDX at the stadium with roses. All went well on her trip after we had to replan and rebook parts of it. We found Deborah’s luggage without issue and, unlike last year, we took Air VW the Gray back to the Pearl District in Portland. In 2025, it snowed, and we took the MAX back to Beaverton. We found lunch at Dechutes Brewery Public House (Deborah remembered it from her last visit). We then explored Powell’s, including the Rare Book Room (where you can also find unique items such as posters, signed books, and music, though not always at high prices). With just one book and a full lunch, we head back to my home.

Deborah is worn out from family events and travel. I make a dinner of NY Strips with polenta (plain) and steamed carrots (also plain). The steaks are seasoned with salt and pepper and finished in a smoking-hot skillet. Neither of us can finish the steak. It is sliced up the next morning and reheated for breakfast. Scrambled eggs to go with it. We have some fruit too.

And that covers enough for the two days. Off to Astoria tomorrow.

Thanks for reading!