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The day started with me just waking before my alarm, just a few minutes. I was still trying to understand what awake meant when the alarm on my iPhone went off. I think I moaned when I heard it. I went to the office first and connected and logged in all the laptops, mine and Nike’s, to get the email and other updates while I did other things. Next, I padded over to the kitchen, dumped the water out of the kettle (an ant was floating in it–the bug people still have not come), filled it, and turned it on. Next, I enjoyed thirty minutes of peddling on the Immoble Schwinn and not going over six miles while watching steaming commercials while claiming it was ABC Streaming News. I was sweaty when I finished my fourth day in a row of thirty minutes of exercising.

I next acquired a NYC bagel from the freezer and made it editable by heating, toasting, and covering it with cream cheese. I got the last peach 1/2 from the can and put that in a bowl. All of this was matched with liberal coffee, which I have been drinking since the first ever mug-shot taken president was elected (sorry, I had to get that in–I am a liberal, after all). All this, I took to the home office and soon started an online odyssey of three hours of Zoom work meeting on status and process.

I quickly showered around 10ish and continued with some more alignment Zoom meetings. I managed a break for an early lunch of reheated (via the microwave) pizza. I watered the plants (the sapling redwood expired in the 105F heat–40C), took out the trash, and loaded the recyclables. Friday is pick-up day, so it is best to prepare everything on Thursday. Finally, I boarded Air Volvo and saw Susie at Allegiance Senior Care LLC, 9925 SW 82nd. Ave. Portland (Tigard), OR 97223; phone (503) 246-4116. The traffic was light, and I crossed Beaverton without issues or the auto braking.

Susie was napping in the recliner in the shared living room when I got there before 1. Susie was thrilled to see me, and we soon headed out into the still cool air (it would heat to 92F later–33C) of Metzger Park. We found a nice bench near the large green space and watched the kids and parents enjoy the last days before school started. We did have one wasp visit; Susie must have been too sweet, but I was able to wave it away. Next, I called Leta and Barb (Susie’s mother and sister in Michigan, respectively) to form a three-way call on FaceTime. Barb was done with her work day and talked to us while walking out and driving. We had a lovely short chat. Again, it was a regular work day for me, and I had to be back to more Zoom calls at 2 and follow on Slack channels. We finished our park tour, and soon, I had Susie back with Jennifer at the hummingbird house. Jennifer is the weekday and live-in nursing aide. I left with a kiss and promised a more extended stay on Friday.

The drive back was in lighter traffic than I expected, but some lights did take three times to finish. I found some packages when I arrived. I ordered more 15-minute epoxy as mine showed its age and a new model Teensy microcontroller, 4.1. These are small-footprint but very fast Arduino-styled microcontrollers that apparently are made in Eugene, Oregon (I did not know that)–I am sure I will find a use for them.

I spent the next couple of hours in a series of Zoom work meetings and then took a short break. I read a bit. I enjoy Cold Welcome by Elizabeth Moon and can barely put it down. I then carried the Nike laptop to the kitchen for the 4:35 status meeting and made dinner while listening. I heated a Trader Joe’s Indian-style microwave meal and heated Naan in the oven (frozen and also from Trader Joe’s). It was wonderful Tikka Chicken with a cup of cooked rice that was better with the Naan. While I consumed this fine repast, I watched some YouTube presentations from The Discriminating Gamer and Battleship New Jersey–Excellent.

I read some more but decided to head to Wildwood Taphouse and enjoy company and beer while writing.

Thank you for reading.

Going backward, I am reading Cold Welcome (Vatta’s Peace Book 1) at the Volvo Cave on my Kindle. This is a Space Opera series and the final two books. I had read the first series and left the finish for another time, or in other words, now. I recommend reading them in order, starting with Elizabeth Moon’s first book, Trading in Danger. Excellent. 

Before this, Air Volvo delivered me to the Volvo Cave from Portland. I picked up Corwin at 3ish at his house to help him make a few trips (he still is not driving) and drove him all over Beaverton. We had some spare time, so I stopped by Tammy’s Hobbies and bought some flat black spray paint (Chaos Black)–since the pandemic paint is not always available. Next, we dared the lousy traffic and went to the Pearl District in Portland. I found parking on the street a short distance from Von Eberts. We took a table outside and had a few beers and some excellent wings; the legend is that the wings are so good, smoked first, that the chicken volunteer. The staff remembered me and were helpful. Dinner was excellent outside on a picnic table set on the street.

Next, we were going to spend money on Powell’s, but we resisted and instead stopped at Screendoor for pecan pie and coffee. They make a dessert that makes you wonder if there are other real desserts in this world. The staff were happy to serve us at the counter. Our waiter had on a mask and kept her distant–excellent. The coffee was good.

Before picking up Corwin, I worked at home and attended various Zoom meetings. I had to participate in the 1:30 and 2 meetings. While they were going on, I wrote a status report on my new project at work–all good news.

Moving back towards lunch, I took Air Volvo to see Susie after reheating two pieces of leftover pizza. The travel across Beaverton was without events, but I did need to refuel Air Volvo. We are still learning how to do gas as Oregon left behind full-service this month to a mix of self and full-service. I pulled into full-service without thinking, and the attendant filed Air Volvo at $4.89 a gallon. Remember, we don’t have a sales tax, and the price is the same for full or self-service (self-service is faster).

Traffic was higher this Wednesday, and I had to be attentive to avoid unplanned stops. I soon arrived safely at Susie’s place at Allegiance Senior Care LLC, 9925 SW 82nd. Ave. Portland (Tigard), OR 97223; phone (503) 246-4116. Susie was thrilled to have me there for a short work-day visit. Soon, Susie, now in her wheelchair, we were sitting on the shady bench near the redwoods and cedars in Metzger Park. I called Susie’s mother, Leta, and Susie’s sister, Barb, on the iPhone using FaceTime to do a three-way call. We had a pleasant call, but a yellow jacket wasp did come to check Susie out. She is just too sweet, I think. I was able to wave it away. It was good to get caught up. Leta and I talked about my upcoming visit to my sister’s wedding. I will try to meet Leta for lunch or breakfast while I am in Michigan for the weekend of 10 September 2023.

I could only stay for a short while as I had Zoom work meetings in the early afternoon I could not miss and needed to be online. After the call, Susie and I finished the tour of the park. I soon delivered Susie back to the hummingbird house, left with a kiss, and took Air Volvo back to the Volvo Cave. Traffic was worse, and I took three times to get through some lights.

I started my day by waking before my alarm and finding the kitchen and heating water for my French Press-made liberal coffee. While the water heated, I climbed into Immobile Schwinn and rode for thirty minutes. Managing to not travel over six miles with some resistance and going at two bars. I watched the ABC News stream on cable while I rode. It is 50% commercials. I might have to buy Bloomberg News.

Next, I made the first Zoom status meeting at 8:05 with a NYC bagel (thanks, Joyce) and cream cheese. I added some peaches from a can to balance out my breakfast. I then did hours of meetings, sneaking a break in for twenty minutes to shower and dress. I did not get another break until after 11:30.

Aside: I wrote a letter to the People’s Republic of China Ambassador to the US about the disappearance of Naomi Wu, Sexy Cyborg. I fit that in during boring Zoom meetings. In my letter, I told Ambassador Xie Feng that Naomi was my hero, and I suggested that she was a great asset. It went out with today’s mail, and I hope it will help.

As I said, I reheated some pizza for lunch and then headed out. And that brings the story full circle…

I paid the bill for Susie’s care. Thanks to Michelle Nixon and her staff for all your good care of Susie! I put the check in a goofy or nice card each month.

Thanks for reading. Please remember Naomi Wu.

Before I start with Tuesday, I should add a few items to Monday.

After I wrote the blog, I stopped by Barnes and Noble–their magazine department is better than Powell’s in Beaverton. There I found the current Fine Modeller issue with an article about the build of a vast (five-foot-long) IJN Yamato 1/200 model. Something I only dream of building (and the matching scale versions of KMS Bismarck and USS Arizona). I also found a copy of Strand, a mystery writer magazine, and a travel book on New Orleans. Depending on events, I plan to make my first visit to the Crescent City in 2024. I also got a fan magazine for Doctor Who as it came with the Doom Comic book I have been buying (#2 is sold out).

Air Volvo took me home with the magazines, travel book, and 1/2 of a pizza from The Rock Wood Fired Pizza. I then returned to my radio project and tried to hot glue the new power board on the inside of the left side of the antique radio box. This failed as the glue bound to the dirty wood was not strong. Eye rolling occurred. I used the matching prototyping board, I had two, and drilled small shallow holes through the stand-off holes. I then counter-sank those with my small drill just fitting in the radio box. Next, I mixed up yet more epoxy (15 min hobby stuff) and glued the brass stand-offs into the holes; and they fell over. More eye-rolling. I then put them in the board holes, and that then held them in place.

I then started to code the new board, M4 Grand Central (from AdaFruit in NYC). And then the serial communication was not available. Well, puke. It seems the incredible and powerful board does not have easy-to-use serial ports. My code will not work, and I will have to configure the ports to make UART connections; oh my, how to do that? It was 11PM, and it was time to head to bed.

Which takes me to Tuesday. I woke before 6AM with it still dark–summer is nearly gone. My arm hurts, and I am enjoying a random pain in my arms (but not my legs) and hands–not cool. I try to roll over and go to sleep. Nope. Have to prove hydration, and then my colon wanted attention–F**k. I pretended to sleep and fell asleep until the next pain woke me. D**n. I rise like an old man and stumble to the kitchen, make hot water with the electric kettle, and work out how to turn on the ABC streaming news on cable, which is about 50% commercials. I then board Immobile Schwinn and go nowhere for thirty minutes and six miles of non-travel. Twice now, I have reached a thirty-minute workout–a personal best, I suspect.

This leaves me with just enough time to make a bagel with cream cheese (again, thanks, Joyce, for the Zabar NYC authentic bagels) paired with some canned peaches in a bowl. Coffee too.

Aside: Grammarly wants all those commas there. I think it is crazy. A bit too staccato for me.

Work begins, and I spend hours in status meetings. As I am working from home these next two weeks (our new Nike WHQ building is not ready for us), I am sleeping in until 7 (at least I try to), exercising, and just making the first meeting at 8:05 AM PDT after making breakfast. I have meetings all morning. I shower and dress at 9:45ish and have some more communications until just before 11AM. I board Air Volvo and head to Susie’s place at Allegiance Senior Care LLC, 9925 SW 82nd. Ave. Portland (Tigard), OR 97223; phone (503) 246-4116.

The trip across Beaverton was eventless, and there were no entanglements with Beaverton’s finest. Susie was excited to see me, and Jennifer popped Susie with envious nonchalance into the wheelchair from her recliner in the shared living room. We headed over to Metzger Park, next door, and found my favorite bench was available, the shady one in the cedars and redwoods. Sitting there and Susie in a wheelchair, we called Leta and Barb (Susie’s mother and sister, respectively) on my iPhone using FaceTime to do a three-way call. Soon everyone was talking, and we had an excellent call. Leta had finished lunch at Panera, and Barb had a late lunch at home.

I could not talk long or stay long. I had a hard stop as I had important work meetings at 1 and 2. So I took Susie for the complete circle and looked at the magnolia tree (no flowers). Jennifer took over as I rolled Susie inside and kissed her goodbye–a usual working day visit. My travel back to the Volvo Cave was also without events, and the traffic was still light.

Another M4 Grand Central from NYC arrived today (a spare, just in case), and some more tools (my small files are aging, so I replaced them). The mail was junk and catalogs. I returned to work online with just a few minutes to spare. I did two more hours of Zoom meetings. I rested for thirty minutes and then moved my Nike laptop to the kitchen.

While making dinner, I listened for the last long status meeting, the 4:35 end-of-shift meeting. I grabbed a frozen broccoli beef from Trader Joe’s and followed instructions while making some rice (only 14 months expired, but it is rice). Rice is not suitable for folks with diabetes, but I am hoping it will not be too bad. The food was spicy, almost too spicy, and the rice created a fire extinguisher effect that I appreciated. The meeting finally ended just as I finished cooking–good timing. I ate the meal while watching The Swedish version of The Girl Who Played With Fire (Extended Edition). This version is far from the Hollywood version (The Girl in the Spider’s Web), and I like it. Recommended. After an extra bowl, or may two, I put away the food for another dinner or lunch.

I made a pot of tea (Sticky Rice Tea which comes in little blocks) and headed into the office to write and work.

While writing, I looked at the alternative to the M4 Grand Central called a Tensey, a more usual Arduino but insanely fast–180 MHz. There is a new version, and I went to their website to order two new ones, 600 Mhz. I am sure I can find a use for them.

Well, I am now caught up on today and Monday; thanks for reading.

I woke before my alarm at 7AM with pain in my right hand. This is a new thing, and I am unsure of the cause. I am currently using my hands more for reading and working on my radio project. My hands and toes feel odd after the chemotherapy, so this might be the next round of chemo leftovers. Every day I treat my hands and feet with Utter Smooth with Urea cream, and yes, the cow pee is helping. Recommended.

I was up at 7AM and started the water in the electric kettle to make coffee later in the French Press. Next, I mounted the non-moving Schwinn bike, rode a bit faster (two bars), and did not travel over five miles for thirty minutes. It was my first time reaching my goal of thirty-minute workouts. I then found some yogurt (with fruit) in the frig. I also opened a jar of canned peaches and had three halves with the yogurt, plus liberal coffee.

I was on time for the first status meeting at 8:05 and continued status meetings with a few breaks when they finished early until 9:45. While there were breaks, I read emails and Slack channel updates to catch up. I had powered on the Nike laptop the night before and logged in. All the updates and emails were already downloaded for the week.

I found a break at about 10AM and slipped into the shower. I quickly dressed (including the application of Utter Smooth) and was back online and texted various folks about my new work. I was ready for a break at about 11:30. I watered the roses without soaking my shoes. It has not rained in weeks, and there is no rain in the forecast for the next ten days–regular for us. I started a load of laundry after I discovered somehow I had flooded the shower, and my towels were soaked.

At 11:45ish, I started to chop carrots and celery to add to the lettuce I tore by hand. I added some cheese, olives, croutons, and a can of good tuna. Lunch. Topped with some ranch dressing. I ate that while watching some videos on YouTube (Nerd of the Rings).

Air Volvo, after I boarded, flew me to Susie’s place at Allegiance Senior Care LLC, 9925 SW 82nd. Ave. Portland (Tigard), OR 97223; phone (503) 246-4116. There were no incidents or close calls today; Monday seemed calm with school starting, and the smoke was gone. While still burning, the fires sent their smoke east and not toward us (north). Our skies are still pale blue, showing the air quality is still not great, but I no longer feel my throat burning after talking.

Susie was in her recliner in the shared living room when I arrived. Jennifer, the weekday nursing aide, popped Susie into her wheelchair. We then headed to Metzger Park with the light again clear and white (not the yellow color we see with the smoke). We sat on the shady bench by the cedars and redwoods. Using FaceTime, I called Leta and Barb (Susie’s mother and sister, respectively) on my iPhone to form a three-way call. Everyone was happy to see each other and us out in the park. The park was busy but not packed like it was on the weekend. We had a friendly chat and then, after ringing off, finished the loop through the park and back to the hummingbird house. A yellow jacket wasp did land on Susie a few times, but I managed to wave it off before it did any harm.

Once back, Jennifer sat Susie in bed, and I put on M.A.S.H. for Susie. I set up my Nike laptop and Apple and sat in the overstuffed chair doing work items. I had to stop M.A.S.H. for one call, but other than that, Susie was awake and enjoying M.A.S.H. while I worked next to her. Jennifer also brought in an Ensure, and I helped Susie finish that as a snack. We are always looking to get a few more calories into Susie. I finished at 4PM and headed home with a kiss and a promise to return on Tuesday. I always pull up the gate and set up the crash pad before I leave.

Air Volvo then steered a course for The Rock Wood Fired Pizza, and there I had a pizza, salad, and a brewed product, a red ale. I was hungry and thought an early dinner would be good as I have an 8PM meeting with India tonight.

Meg was my waiter in the bar, and soon I had my favs and was writing this blog.

And that, dear reader, is where the story ends for Monday. Thank you for reading.

I just got back from Dungeons and Dragons at Cory’s house. This was the first time playing this character for a whole gaming session (5:30 to 9) as my last character sacrificed himself to save a planet. I now play (instead of a Lawful Good, holy warrior) a cleric of War that is effective (Lawful Evil). I had to remember how to play a cleric (it has been years since I played one), learn the features of War, and how to use my spells again. I managed to not make any terrible mistakes, and we all had a good time taking on various spell-jamming challenges–think Swords and Sorcery with space-traveling sailing ships. It was an excellent way to end Sunday and my week of Rest and Recovery from the shoe company.

Before this, I stopped at the Oak Hills McMenamins for chili and an iced tea for dinner. This is on my way to Cory’s house, and I stop to grab something quick after leaving Susie’s place at 4PM. About $13 for a bowl of soup of the day and an iced tea, perfect.

Returning to the early afternoon, I spent the time with Susie at her place found at the hummingbird house in Portland (Tigard) at Allegiance Senior Care LLC, 9925 SW 82nd. Ave. Portland (Tigard), OR 97223; phone (503) 246-4116. I arrived after lunch at the Volvo Cave in Air Volvo, having survived some emergency braking without losing any paint. Air Volvo’s autobraking started when the truck in front of me braked short but had no break lights (including the third light) to warn me. I saw something strange with the truck and was gently braking when Air Volvo took over and slammed me to non-movement. I was surprised but not shocked as I was about to stand on the brake (there was no room).

Susie was happy to see me. The air in Tigard was worse than in Beaverton (already yellow status), and later moved to Orange. I was coughing in the car and sneezing. I decided no trip to the mall, and we stayed inside. The air worsened as the day went on–forest fire smoke from the Cascade Mountain fires. The hills disappeared into a grey smoke.

Susie and I watched a few episodes of “Only Murders in the Building.” Susie was sleepy, but she wanted to stay in her wheelchair. I stayed with her and watched carefully so she would not fall out. Susie woke up when I was laughing. She was trying to stay awake with me, but she was tired. As I said, at 4PM, I left Susie safe in her bed, watching M.A.S.H.

Moving to the start of the day. I was up before 7AM–my hand hurt. I was reading a book on the Spanish Armanda last night, and the weight seemed to have stressed my hand–this has happened to me before. I made coffee and then rode Susie’s non-moving bike to not travel about 5 miles for twenty-plus minutes while watching the CBS morning news (ABC just showing ads). I could not quite do thirty minutes–soon. This is part of my retirement plan–lose twenty pounds in six months.

I spent the whole morning writing the blog for Saturday, including some commentary here and there. Lunch was reheated pasta and homemade veggie sauce with shredded Italian sausage. Excellent when reheated. I watched ShipHappens on YouTube while eating.

And that is an excellent place to stop tonight. Thank you for reading.