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I am in The Rock, a pizza and beer joint that makes wood-baked pizzas that I love. I have not been back since Susie’s stroke. The bartender remembered me and asked about Susie (scared of what the answer would be), and while sad to hear about Susie’s current condition, he was happy to hear she was stable and still going. I showed him a few recent pictures, and he was relieved. There is no place like home; even the pizza folks remember you.

My sister, Linda, had some tests today and is recovering. Been there, and it is mostly the anesthetic that makes it hard. She should be better after some rest.

Mom Wild got a new phone, all pink, and once fully installed, it will print the words you say on a screen. It is mainly for folks with hearing issues, but Mom already loves it. Apparently, it is very pink.

Starting Wednesday, the alarm at 6AM woke me after I had woken at 4:15, 5:10. 5:20 and 5:35, and I finally slept. The alarm was not welcome. It took me an uncharacteristically five minutes to get out of bed. More of a summoning than a waking.

The kitchen took only a bit to find, and there started to heat water for coffee. Next, I found the living room and its floor. I started music, Adele, on the Alexa device and completed exercises and stretches. Time just flies by, and when I reach the office with a bagel (from NYC, thanks Joyce) and coffee–liberal French Press (I spent a moment on the way to the kitchen in the office reading some emails, and thus I was out-sequence of my usual sequence), I have only ten minutes left. Ugh.

I manage to read emails, Slack channel updates, and news websites to get a handle on the morning, so I am ready to start. I rush off to the shower. Again, I recently decided to dress in a dress shirt and new pants to celebrate the end of the pandemic and my upcoming retirement–I am through with worn-out pants and T-shirts. But I might wear some cool T-shirts, but now I will choose to wear them.

My co-workers were surprised by my dress style change. But they are getting used to it.

I arrive in the office before 8 and start a long morning of Zoom meetings. I forgo the all-people meeting for the project as a status meeting is over it–I let my fellows attend the project meeting while I did the Zoom status meeting.

The shoe company has an upgrade for my laptop, a new Windows version. I follow the pre-checks, but no update is available to me. So I visit the experts for help at the Performance Bar. I am served, and they determine, “Why yes, you are getting an update, and no, it does not seem ready for you yet.”

After that, I head out to see Susie at the hummingbird house in Portland (Tigard) at Allegiance Senior Care LLC, 9925 SW 82nd. Ave. Portland (Tigard), OR 97223; phone (503) 246-4116. Despite a near-perfect day, the Beaverton Police were not seen on Highway 26 or 217. I reached Susie just before noon without any incidents, close calls, or delays from The City of Beaverton’s program of beautification by digging holes, an unsuccessful program.

Susie was ready for an adventure, and while I suggested camping in Metzger Park, we did a tour instead–Jennifer, the weekday nursing aide, just ignored me. It was a wonderful day, and Susie, safely moved into her wheelchair by Jennifer, was without a coat.

The park had collected dogs with humans, some legal (leashed) and others illegal (free-running). But the free-running dogs were well-behaved, so there was no trouble. Little kids were everywhere, and a young gal set out a blanket and had her late lunch. There were smiles around as the rains this year seemed oppressive and everlasting. A hot sunny day in April was welcome and unexpected–there were cheerful people (and dogs) everywhere. Again, Susie admired the English daisies (tiny little flowers considered a weed) in the park.

We called Leta from a bench in the sun. Leta chatted with us for twenty minutes or so. Susie listened to the call while watching the people and dogs. After Leta rang off, Susie and I spent another twenty minutes watching people, occasionally petting a pouch and enjoying a post-pandemic moment in Metzger Park. I had to return to the shoe company, and Susie was disappointed that I was leaving after an hour, but I had to return to work. I left her with Jennifer after a kiss and a promise to return on Thursday.

I had lunch at Red Robin and chatted about elections with Trump supporters. Always fun to find common ground. I enjoyed my Ensalada platter, and the Trump folks discovered that a liberal Democrat was not a demon worshipper or criminal. It was unreal for me. Last time for lunch there as this is twice now, and I would just like to eat and possibly watch sports.

Work was quiet, but I did help with a few design and software bugs. Mostly these are crises of the moment which disappear the next day. So I headed home after the last meeting and an ad hoc design session on data egress. There was no gaming with Z tonight, so I headed out for dinner after dropping off some mail for Corwin. Corwin, who lived with us for a long time, lives in a house about a mile away.

Thanks for reading.

Update: I did not cover this. As I drove back to the office my colon decided it needed attention. I managed to not have a sequencing issue, but I was in and out of the restroom for the afternoon. I was exhausted and was happy to head home–after everything emptied. I cover this as it was part of my experience today. I was worried that I would have a problem but managed to sequence properly, and everything was OK. I will say that it was like a colonoscopy prep–everything left. Yikes.

Tired tonight, Tuesday, so this will be short and hopefully focused. I met Shiva and Subha at Central Station Taps for a drink at 6:45PM. Subha stayed with water, but Shiva had a beer. We talked about work and life and how we are doing. It is the first time we have all met since the pandemic–it was good to meet. Central Station Taps was busy for a Tuesday, and there was little parking in the area. The excellent weather, sunny and over 70F (21C), had folks flocking to Beaverton and its food carts- a great day to have dinner outside with the carts!

Before this, I was at the house making and eating dinner. This time I did not overcook the pork chops. I made plain couscous to go with it (alright, I might have toasted it in the pan in hot butter before adding plain boiling water), and my frozen microwaved green beans wilted in a frying pan with salt, butter with garlic, and onion powder (just hints). I browned the chops, boneless and thick wrapped in bacon, in a pan in butter (yes more) and then baked the now seared chops in a 350F oven for twenty minutes until 160F (I don’t want them at 170, the usual overcooking). It was good. I made two chops and put another dinner away for another day, having plenty left.

Aside: Grammarly must be in the middle of a software update, as here is the change it recommended:

• • I browned the chops in a boneless and thick pan, wrapped in bacon…

Don’t worry. You are still safe from Artificial Intelligence.

Before this, I finished my day in the office, following along at work. I finished my shift at 5ish.

Susie enjoyed the trip in the park before I headed home from the hummingbird house in Portland (Tigard) at Allegiance Senior Care LLC, 9925 SW 82nd. Ave. Portland (Tigard), OR 97223; phone (503) 246-4116. It was a clear sunny day with temperatures headed to 70F (21c). The park was busy, and everyone looked happy. From what I observed, the habit of social distancing is still in place; folks stepped off the path to let others by. I am not sure folks recognize they are still keeping six feet apart.

Susie loved the flowers again; the daisies were bright and tiny in the park (English daisy–from Google). going backward, Susie was delighted to see me when I finally arrived in the afternoon and was happy to tour the park and sit in the sun. I spent some extra time with Susie. We called Susie’s mother, Leta, and she was pleased to see we were outside again enjoying the sun (we use my iPhone to see each other via FaceTime). I pushed Susie through the park.

Starting the day, I woke at 6AM and got going. I made oatmeal to go with the liberal coffee after completing the lighter exercise and stretches. I do the complete set on Monday, Wednesday, and some Fridays (if it is not too crazy at work). Then, I read the basic stuff (emails, Slack channel updates, and the news) to prepare for my day. I put on a new blue striped LL Bean Oxford dress shirt for work with a button-down collar. I decided I liked dress shirts and wanted to return to wearing them–so I ordered some more. I am more comfortable in dress shirts than T-shirts.

Air Volvo got me to the Clubhouse office building before 8AM. I started my two hours of Zoom meetings then. We had a few crises of the moment take over the morning and some meetings best not described here (my blood pressure meds were working overtime today). I had to grab a turkey and cheddar sandwich from the coffee shop (very fresh and pleasant, actually) as I had a meeting over lunch.

The day was typical, with a bit more going on than usual, as we have two overlapping releases running. As a result, it is hard not to mix up the issues.

Thank you for reading. I hope this was not too disjointed today.

I write down in a notebook by my pill bottles when I take my pills, and the results show I forget some nights. I seemed to have missed 1/2 of my doses this last week. Not good, but the night pills are not very important–so no serious loss there. I also noticed that one was running out, and now I have to pay an extra $20 to correct this. Usually, United Health Care sends me almost two sets of 90 days, but this time no. Instead, I had to order it. So I am being more diligent and watchful. I discovered another one that needs to be manually requested before it runs out–done!

The morning started at 7:30ish, with me resisting my alarm at 7AM and finally rising like a drunken magician assistant without the outfit (I have a robe). Poof, I rise. Coffee was located and assembled. Breakfast was still more muffins that were getting a bit stale–but I matched them this morning, so it was OK.

The night shift did not have a rough time, and I expected the usual slow and quiet Monday, working from home. A bit of a dull morning with hours of Zoom meetings. I got in all my exercises and took my pills. I finally got dressed and continued to follow along at work.

The morning was cold, and the sky was filled with cotton-candy clouds with our darker blue skies (the blue here is a bit darker than the East Coast, I think), but the forecast suggested a warmer and nicer afternoon. I stayed home for lunch, re-heated tagine-styled chicken from a few days ago, and watched a few YouTube videos on ships and shipwrecks. I also did my usual checks on Quicken, downloading all the newly available transactions and checking my recent re-alignment of investment priorities in my 401K (80% Stable Value (not bonds) and 20% Nike stock with NKE at $127 today)–everything is correct. I am passing on extreme volatility and will see if things are less scary this Halloween 2023. I usually realign once every year.

The roads are mostly dry, and my fellow drivers stopped hitting each on this first day of the working week. I saw a lot of pile up this weekend (?!). The weather was not nice enough to bring out Beaverton’s Finest. Still, I suspect they will be out as the rains stop for a while, with the forecast above 70F (21c) on Wednesday and becoming a sunny day on Friday in April with a California temperature of 84F (29C)–unheard of in Oregon. An Other Day of Sun from La La Land.

Air Volvo, with no alarms, reached Susie at the hummingbird house in Portland (Tigard) at Allegiance Senior Care LLC, 9925 SW 82nd. Ave. Portland (Tigard), OR 97223; phone (503) 246-4116. Traffic was heavy, with the surprise hole installation starting all over Beaverton. The City of Beaverton has four seasons: Make holes, enjoy flooded and messy holes, partially fill holes and enjoy stressing your tires and suspension, and finally, repave as school starts. Beaverton, unlike many municipalities, often re-holes the same area over and over until reaching some new standard and then moves on.

Susie was sleeping in her recliner in the shared living room when I arrived after 1PM. I woke her, and Jennifer, the weekday nursing aide, got Susie comfy in her wheelchair with a zipped-up coat (Susie insisted) and her hat. Out to the now sun-break afternoon. The wind was still saying 50F (burr), but the sun said, “Why a coat.” The park was not yet busy as school was on today, but young kids were everywhere running around in shock that the grass was primarily dry and it was warm (well, sort of).

We found our favorite sunny bench and parked there for a bit. We called Leta–Susie’s mother and she was happy to see we were outside and enjoying the day. We chatted about the weather (it is only to get better here) and the new deck Leta is getting. We rang off and then took the long trip through the park. The tiny English daisy (I Googled this) got Susie’s attention growing as a weed in the park’s grass, and she loved all the flowers, “beautiful.” The tulips are out, and some of the late cherry trees are blooming. It was a lovely walk, and I also completed the walking part of my exercise.

I headed back after kissing Susie goodbye. I drove to Salt & Straw and got an ice cream cone. The scooper (what do you call folks that scoop ice cream) suggested I try some more, as I might want to order something different. So I tried a few, and the coffee with nuts will be my next cone (if still there when I stop by again).

I reached the Volvo Cave without incident, but I dodged more hole installations for most of the flight. My snail mail was full of new and exciting items. I have the new Lord of the Rings for Dungeons and Dragons 5E. This is a new edition (I have spent a lot of money on the previous one), and it closely matches the earlier version. The old material can be used with the new version, which is excellent. It is not as colorful as the earlier material, and the maps are more basic.

I also got a new Decisions Game issue on Panzer tanks. These are quarterly-created magazines with one subject, and I love reading them. The mail was full of fun.

I continued the day following along. I had a few colon issues, and this made me tired (best to not describe). I nodded off when reading for a minute to take a break, but woke with a start and went back to the office. My left ear and jaw hurt (I cannot hear out of my left ear for some time now and have a doc appointment for that). I took some Advil, and that went away.

I was done at 5:20ish with my shift and laid down to read, and woke at ten to seven! I decided a hamburger was needed and maybe some beer and people, so off to Imbrie Hall, a McMenamin’s joint. There I had a Ruby (beer) and a Captain Neon Burger (blue cheese and bacon) with fries. I am feeling better now.

I am enjoying a new book (and I might have read it too late last night): Ninefox Gambit (Machineries of Empire Book 1). This is space opera with the usual focus on a middle-ranked women officer, disgraced by doing the right thing and now finds herself at the center of a plot and battles. The focus here is on mathematics and establishing consistency with the current vision of the universe described by agreed to equations and stopping heretical equations being used by heretics called rot. I like it, and the main character is a soldier, a super mathematician who uses math to solve weapon issues and is mostly to attracted to girls. Fun so far.

Thanks for reading. I finished writing this at the bar with a cup of coffee to finish my dinner. The bartender wanted a shoutout, Brooke, at Imbrie Hall.

I am in Von Eberts Brewing in Portland’s Pearl District. I watched two movies with Susie today and then left Susie 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 was there from about 1:30 to 5:15 with us watching the old animated Jungle Book and then the newer Beauty and the Beast but still painted cell film movie (except for part of the ballroom scene, which was Disney’s first CGI in a major film). Susie was delighted to spend the afternoon watching old movies on Disney+. We also called Susie’s mother, Leta, and chatted with her. Dondrea also called, and she got to talk to both of us. Susie had a wonderful afternoon, her words, and was sad when I left–but I put on M.A.S.H., and Susie was OK–Season two for a change.

I was going to go home, write the blog, clean up the house, and rest; instead, I headed to PDX and am having a pretzel with a locally made brewed product waiting for Evan before I order more. I am tired of being at 20625 SW Clarion Street, Beaverton (Aloha), Oregon 97003-1717, and being alone. So instead, I am here in Portland eating, drinking, writing, and ignoring most of the world’s problems.

I was given the day, Sunday, free as I worked 4-midnight on Saturday.

I had a taco salad or chili salad for lunch. I reheated the chili I had opened from a can a few days ago and then decided to use and pour it over salad greens, olives, carrots, celery, and other salad stuff. Sour cream in the place of salad dressing was good. I had this before heading to Susie’s.

I took the buttons I had mounted in the radio box on a wooden board and mixed epoxy clay to mold it. Unfortunately, I knocked two buttons off the board and had to use superglue to reattach them. They had left glue marks on the board, so it was likely I managed to get them back to their original place. I then hand-rolled the clay into ropes and weaved it through buttons to not break any more loose. New learning. I had too much clay and tried to model a nob, but the clay was too inflexible. You need to use it immediately and also a new learning. I am unsure if what I have will work as a mold, but if not, I can try again. It is all interesting to me.

I wrote the Saturday blog this morning and took my time, and tried not to rush. Saturday is always a busy day for me, and it takes some time to write that blog. I managed to sleep until 8ish, which is late for me. Time just seemed to run away from me this morning.

Breakfast was liberal coffee, an Equal Exchange brand, made in my French Press. I had a few muffins to go with it–I made them a few days ago.

I did see multiple car pile-ups today. Not sure what is happening, but folks are wrecking at about 35 mph and taking two or more cars with them. Air Volvo avoided all of these, but the collision alarm did happen when someone slowed unexpectedly without brake lights. Volvo is ever vigilant.

Well, that is about it. I am still waiting in PDX for Evan, but he is on his way. Thanks for reading.

It is harder to start writing this Sunday morning to record the life I lived on Saturday. I see this as not a record of political beliefs or the philosophy of living (I admit that my opinions do color the writing) but a description of living. I will push through as I cannot find a reason to stop, and while I regret the time spent some days, it seems inherently good to stop and remember. Let me start and hope, good readers, that it is worthy of your and my time today!

Yesterday, Saturday, started with me sleeping in (until 7:30ish) and then beginning a long day. I published Friday’s blog actually on Friday, so there is no reason to rush and get that done. The back and leg pain was back, and I decided to forgo housework and go slow. I made coffee, liberal, and had a few muffins I made a few days ago. I cut a piece of thin basswood and taped it inside the radio. I then temporarily glued the buttons in their original holes in the radio’s wooden box to the board. I will later wrap them in molding clay, cast them in acrylic, and place lighting behind them to make a visual display, as I don’t need these buttons.

The radio with the original buttons restored to their original location. The new window is done, and the cloth is reattached. The new faceplate (actually paper) with the new LCD mounted and LED (which will be less bright when in the box) are all visible. The strip of colored lights will be behind the acrylic replacement to be a light show. The veneer replacement/repairs are visible.

I also painted with black paint the white glue I used to attach the plastic window to hide it. It looks good now.

My tulips are finally flowered (I still have a set that has not blossomed). These are more like the eastern (Turkish) originals.

As usual, time just flies, and I am rushing to get dressed and head to see Susie at the hummingbird house in Portland (Tigard) at Allegiance Senior Care LLC, 9925 SW 82nd. Ave. Portland (Tigard), OR 97223; phone (503) 246-4116. Traffic is more than usual, but the roads are wet, and the sky suggests the forecast was wrong–not a nice day so far. However, the parents of soccer-playing kids will not be daunted by Oregon mist, and the roads are full of would-be goal achievers.

Susie had just finished her breakfast when I arrived and was moved (Anassa is the weekend nursing aide) to her rocking chair in her bedroom. Susie is delighted to see me but is confident she does not want to try the misty Metzger Park next to the hummingbird house. Susie’s room has a window that points to the park, and she sometimes watches the basketball court not far from home. Susie can see that the court is still wet and covered with a few puddles–no, we are not going out there.

Evan will be late visiting today and will miss most of the movie for today: Hairspray (2007). I liked the film’s energy (it is an extensive reworking of the original), and Susie was singing along and noticeably brightened on Saturday. Besides the movie, we reached Leta, Susie’s mother, and Zeriada on the iPhone. Leta was happy to see Susie on FaceTime. Leta and Susie chatted happily for twenty minutes. We next called Zeriada, who was getting her hair done by her favorite, Gil, her son. We were happy to wish Zeriada a happy birthday and say hello to Gil. They are now in Texas.

Here is the ending for Hairspray(2007): here.

After the movie, I found lunch, played a quick game with Evan, and rushed back to the house for my 4-12:30 shift this Saturday. No game with Richard and friends in Portland today. Susie was ready for lunch (and likely a nap) and kissed me goodbye with no tears today.

Evan and I went to The 649 to play Vindication, using only the base items, but had lunch at the Mexican place, Tapatio: Mexican Restaurant, across the street–I remembered to order a smaller beer. I ordered a small beer at The 649 while Evan, knowing we were pressed for time, set up the board game.

Seldom does Vindication hinge on a single move, but the Arcane Tower held a seven-point item, and Evan beat me to it by one move. I fought back to lose only by four points, with the game swinging back and forth. Knowing that I was far behind after that good play by Evan, I took risks, and none paid off enough to give me the points I needed. It was a close game (four points), and we both played well. Next time!

Evan put the game away while I paid the bill at The 649, and I rushed home to make it there by 4PM. I started my shift with a status Zoom call and answered the roll call–mandatory. So, yes, we do check that needed folks are actually on the call.

I then started my work day that ended past midnight with the next status call at 12:30. As usual, I had trouble sleeping after my shift, but I finally slept at 2ish and woke again too early. During the shift, I got a few issues and helped route them, which were resolved. I also sorted my papers and closed my first three months of 2023–I keep paper copies of everything now. I planned to do this during the quiet times in my shift (loading data is full of exciting moments and boring hours of waiting). To manage all medical bills, tax avoidance, and my investments without creating a tax burden, I need proof and categorize everything in Quicken. So while I had quiet moments, I was punching holes and moving paper into notebooks. I use a four-inch binder for the first third of 2023 (I even did April 2023, which has arrived so far).

I ordered dinner from Happy Panda, just soup and appetizers, and it was delivered only a few minutes late by Door Dasher. I was hungry and got too much mustard on a shrimp which burned my throat and mouth. I was shocked and thought a 911 call from too much mustard would be a poor start for my shift, and I managed to calm my breathing and stop the painful issue. I dipped a shrimp in pure hot mustard when I was not paying attention–yikes!

Aside: After my chemotherapy, issues with breathing and another resultant ambulance ride still haunt my thinking. I overreact a bit to coughing. I know I do that, but it is hard to forget the chemo-caused feeling of dying from a closed-off airway (the side effect makes it feel like you are dying even when you have air and could quickly hyperventilate yourself in an emergency) and alone does not make feel more confident. I just have to calm down.

So a quiet and paperwork-filled evening while working and reading constant updates. I was glad to use the evening to clear a task that had to be done while supporting the data loads.

Thanks for reading. I hope this memory of Saturday was worth the time. I enjoyed remembering it. I had forgotten the flowers and the radio work until I saw the photos I had taken for the blog. Saturday was already vanishing, and I was happy to bring it back into existence.