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Working from home means no rush and sleeping into a decadent 7:20ish this Friday. I also delayed dressing and all that until later and just drank liberal coffee, and today I had more oatmeal for breakfast. My legs and back still complained about yesterday’s workout and other items, and I decided not to do my stretches and exercises. However, I did enjoy three hours of Zoom meetings in the morning. Slipping (pun?) into the shower and dressing between the Zooming.

After my last Zoom meeting that morning, I decided to have lunch at the house. I had reheated North African-style chicken with preserved lemon for lunch. It was still spicy but calmer after resting in the frig for a day. While eating, I watched YouTube videos, Ship Happens, and Battle Ship New Jersey feeds. I also did the Discriminating Gamer’s top games for 2022 and provided some thoughts that Cody, who runs the channel, replied to. Dr. Cody, Ph.D. in history, is one of my go-to guys for games and history. Of course, he likes military stuff better than Euro, and I am the opposite, but still, I like to get his read on a board game before I buy it.

After that, I tried Air Volvo crossing Beaverton on this overcast gray-on-gray day. There were no issues, and the clouds seemed to have driven Beaverton’s Finest away, and I soon arrived at Susie’s place 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 had called ahead, and Susie was comfy in her bed and a comfy chair next to the bed. So I set up shop next to her.

Very comfy!

I had my Apple computer and Nike computer next to each other on a lowish table (during the pandemic, I would have a third screen up with Bloomberg News running, watching the impact of the pandemic on the stock market, +24% growth!?) So Susie was happy to have company, and I connected to Nike and was working the next three hours next to Susie.

Before I got serious about the work, I first called Susie’s mother, Leta, and they chatted for a while. Later, Dan Gray from church called and was thrilled to chat with Susie on speaker. After that, Susie dozed while I was online, sending messages on Slack channels, reading and approving specifications that needed fixes, and doing other usual tasks.

My shift ended at 4, and I headed out just before it ceased to make the 4:30 Zoom at the house. I made it just before it started–traffic was a bit heavier tonight. The last meeting, as usual for this point in the data conversions, was long.

I am taking the 4PM-12:00 shift on Saturday–all my gaming is canceled. A boring week-focused weekend, I am afraid.

I logged on to my company investment account and shifted all my 401K to stable value (not bonds) funds except for the 20% in Nike stock. I trust the shoe company, but the market shows signs of a massive bubble. From my experience, a strongly branded product like Nike can usually weather a crash. With Susie’s health and my surviving cancer, I need to not worry about the market for six months–I will move it for a while–I will reconsider on Halloween, a good enough day to decide how scary the markets are. I am up almost six percent for the year. As good as any time to snap on the safety belts.

I headed to BJ’s and had my fav, a porkchop, and an amaretto shot with coffee for my dessert. So there I was, surrounded by people and noise, and with Mo as my waiter ensuring dinner would be great, I wrote the blog and felt my spirits rise. Good food, familiar places and people, and the noise of life always helps.

Thanks for reading.

 

 

 

These are just highlights from today.

I was hours early for my survivor meeting with my oncologist, who is moving away. I will have a new one next time. My blood work was good, and my chances were better than good, his words, to be cured, and he gave me a printed-out care plan with follow-ups. A colonoscopy every three years. A CT scan should happen every six-twelve months. Finally, an oncology appointment with blood work every six months with my new doc.

While my labs still show mixed results, they are improving–doc was not worried. We shook hands, and he will soon start a practice in Hood River, Oregon. Eastern Oregon gets a brilliant doctor.

Before this, I was in Portland too early. So I parked Air Volvo in the hospital rack and walked in the rain. I was surprised to see three sets of end-of-the-world folks with the material at three intersections in the pouring rain. They were pleasant, smiling, and warmly dressed; they had good-quality coats, hats, and umbrellas. I tipped my hat to them, and they were friendly and polite.

I stopped by a tea shop, somehow on the top of a former house via two stairs. I had a cup of warm black tea; I told the guy behind the counter to pick the tea leaves for me. They had no lemon slices, so I had it plain. There was a table in what I guess was the apartment’s living room, now reworked into a tea shop, near a window. I sat there and read emails and approved a design on my phone (I can read the documents at Nike even on my phone–excellent). After enjoying the tea room, I returned to Air Volvo, got my Nike Laptop, and worked until my appointment. I had my Nike computer in the exam room, reading emails and Slack channel updates until the doc came in.

Moving further backward, I was at Elephant’s Delicatessen on 22nd Street in Portland for lunch. As usual, there was no room inside, so I ordered a Reuben to-go. Oh f**k, it was huge and wonderful, and I ate it all–I had a salad for dinner. I was wondering if my bloodwork today would have sauerkraut floating in it! I ate it in Air Volvo (I found a parking spot), which now smells like a delicatessen. I think we should make Reuben-scented Air Fresheners.

Before this decadence, I visited 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 had come from work and was there when Susie finished her breakfast. Jennifer said Susie had not slept well (Susie called out all night–then would not remember that; Susie talks, yells, and walks in her sleep–it could be exciting some nights; I know). Susie, while looking OK, was obviously tired. Nevertheless, she was delighted to see me.

I wheeled Susie, still in her wheelchair (she eats while seated in her wheelchair), to the social activity room and then called Leta, her mother. Leta was happy to see Susie using FaceTime on my iPhone. Leta is getting a new deck on her house to replace the porch, and the posts are getting set. Leta and Susie chatted for a while, with me joining the conversation here and there. Next, we called Susie’s sister, Barb, at work and spoke to her for a while–no FaceTime as Barb was still working. Susie was happy to talk to both of them but needed a nap. She let me go with a kiss as she started getting sleepy.

Work was before this, and I did hours of meetings and talked to a few folks. I also followed along when in Portland and answered a few items. No rest. I work the next three weekends, I believe.

The morning started early, at 6AM, with me rushing. I managed my complete set of stretches and exercises (which, with all the walking today, was quite a workout) and instant oatmeal (with dried cranberries and walnuts added)–low sugar heart healthy–with liberal coffee for breakfast.

Last night after finishing the blog, I managed to see the movie Renfield. This is an update on a Dracula movie with Nicholas Cage playing a comic and deadly Count–Full-on nuts Cage. While not always great, it was a mix of Nicholas Cage channeling Christopher Lee from LOTR (not Dracula) and the Renfield character playing John Wick meets Dracula. Violent, silly, and illogical, and with Shohreh Aghdashloo seemingly a walk-on as the evil mother. Awkwafina is a cop and, like a John Wick movie–never seems to miss a bad guy. I liked it, but it is not for everyone.

Aside: I first drove to Regal’s Movies on TV, but there were closed (the website is wrong), and then I drove across Beaverton to Cinemark, missing a few previews.

Lastly, while eating my salad for dinner, I watched the completion of this season’s Mandalorian. I liked it. I would say that the last three episodes brought the story back together, and I liked it. Recommended.

Thanks for reading.

 

Back to work today. So my morning was the usual wake at 6AM, rush to be in the office and start the first two hours of Zoom meetings. I managed to do my basic stretches and exercises this morning and then have instant oatmeal (adding dried cranberries and walnuts) and liberal coffee from my French Press.

Somehow going (and returning at 5ish), I find a school bus that slows me. The traffic was not heavy, and I had no issues in the morning. I spent hours in a conference room and even did some stretches while listening to defects, progress reports, and general status. I head out, stopping by to see some of my co-workers, now in the office as we start 7/24 data conversions, to see Susie at 5:15 at the hummingbird house in Portland (Tigard) at Allegiance Senior Care LLC, 9925 SW 82nd. Ave. Portland (Tigard), OR 97223; phone (503) 246-4116.

On the way, the traffic suddenly brakes on Highway 26, and I calmly slide into the shoulder instead of trying to slam my breaks on rain-soaked roads (it was even hailing again today). I am safe, but I am surprised that a commercial-painted pickup takes my place as I pull back into my lane. I am not sure the driver would have plunged into Air Volvo had I not immediately pulled back onto the main road, but the streets were slick with excess dampness. Yikes!

Susie was happy, I might even say delighted, to see me. The tummy and other issues are gone, and Susie is smiling and talkative. So much better than the weekend! Susie is happy to use my iPhone to call Leta, her mother, and see her using FaceTime. Susie is happy and awake, so the call lasts about twenty-five minutes. As it is a work day, I can only stay a short time, and there is no misery or sadness this time–she understands I have to return to work today. So I left with a kiss and no tears today.

I stop for a salad. Lunch is at Panera Bread and an excellent chicken berry salad with poppy dressing. I enjoy the salad while reading the news on my iPhone. Then, I return to work without new sudden stops via Highways 26 and 217, my usual way. There I have more Zoom meetings and follow along and help with a crisis of the moment.

I finish my 8-4 shift and return home enjoying, as I said, one school bus to slow me. Z has play practice, and her mother is in Seattle (Z is with Grandma), so there are no board games today. Instead, I cooked Tegine-style chicken with potatoes and carrots (instead of rice or couscous), adding preserved lemon, tagine spices (from a bottle), and green olives. Onions and garlic are cooked first on the stovetop, and then the rest is added. I then bake it for about an hour in a pot. While OK, the spices are a bit bright still, and there is not enough salt, but I will not add any (it is not good for me). Still good, and I had a few bowls while watching a 2001 science show on cable: Shock and Awe: The Story of Electricity. I would recommend the show, but Dr. Jim Al-Khalili’s best show (also on cable) is The Secrets of Quantum Mechanics. His other show Atom is an excellent history of physics. Again, I would recommend anything by Dr. Jim Al-Khalili.

I then took a nap, the Duvel beer I found in the frig being the leading cause of the nap. The Belgium beer, which translates as Devil, always affects me like two beers or a beer and a shot. Recommended only if you are not driving for a few hours!

I got back up and wrote this blog. I may head out to see a movie tonight.

Thanks for reading!

 

I started the blog early and am enjoying a dark beer while writing this at Wildwood Taphouse. I did not want to rush, and lunch seemed to stay with me, so I was not hungry for dinner. At first, I thought of heading to Portland but decided to just have a beer and write here in the local area.

I have just left Susie at 5:15 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 just after 11, stepped out for lunch, and stayed until dinner was being planned.

Susie was grumpy when I got there (Jennifer later told me that Susie was uncomfortable this morning–details left out–and was wrung out); Susie just wanted “Go home and sleep,” and Jennifer moved Susie to the bed, and Susie was happy then and slipped into sleeping here and there. I watched, with Susie seeing some of it, the animated movie Coco which always makes me cry a bit–but the film is excellent. The music was great.

After that, Susie got some lunch (just some Apple sauce), and I stopped at the nearby Red Robin. Natalie was bartending and was happy to see me but missed me over the weekend. I had the Ensalada Platter with a basket of fries–their fries are so good. While a beer product temped me, but when working with Susie, I never drink–just Diet Coke. Service was slow for some reason (it varies), and I got my fries last (!?).

I soon returned to the hummingbird house and put on another really old movie from Disney+, 20,000 Leagues Below the Sea. Yes, the one with the Disney brass-green riveted-together Nautilus and the cold-mad Captain Nemo played by a young James Mason. Susie often asked who what who while we watched, and I laughed a few times. It was better than I remember it.

We got Susie tiramisu dessert, which was forgotten yesterday, and I fed her bites while watching Captain Nemo. Susie loved it; it was so creamy it was safe for her. No choking the whole time. She had that with Ensure. Not sure she will eat her dinner tonight!

Before all this, I was at the house getting going about 7:30, doing the first meeting at 8AM for work, and then signing off for a bit. I made scrambled eggs with kielbasa and cheese. I cut the meat into cubes by slicing the long way and then slicing the sausage into cubes. It is better than the coin slices I used to have. Recommended approach. I had that with toast and liberal coffee made in my French Press.

I also worked on my radio. I glued in the new face plate, let it dry, and then knocked it out as it did not look great. I use white glue, so it cleans up easily. I tried again and hope this time will look better.

I read more Great Battles: Tsushima by Rotem Kowner and think it is a bit short on detail on specific hits and damage. I am more used to the better-sourced battle of Jutland, where we have tracked, discussed, and disputed every shell. This is more like this ship took heavy hits and later sunk from flooding from holes–too simple. First-hand accounts that fill out the story of Trafalgar or Jutland are not included in the narration for Tsushima. I do not know if they are not available or if they are not included in this tome. The book is also tiny print and has a small layout; thus, the maps, photos, and charts are small–the book would be better if larger. I am disappointed so far, and there is no mention of research on wrecks (I know one has been found) or the later fate of ships. The footnotes are good. Maybe it will get better.

Well, I finished the dark beer. Time for something else with chips. Thanks for reading!

 

 

Tonight I am fatigued and a bit sad. When I left Susie at the hummingbird house, she looked so unhappy it broke my heart. I was falling asleep in the chair, so it was time for me to go, and she looked so scared and alone when I left; it was hard. I cried a few times. I have doubts; it is crushing.

I left Susie after 5:15 before it got dark, and I got more tired. When I arrived, Susie had tummy issues and was lying on her side toward the wall trying to be comfortable. I was there at 2PM, having run late all day. I called Leta, Susie’s mother, for a few minutes as Susie struggled to communicate, lying there with tummy issues.

Susie was feeling a bit better by 4ish, and Jennifer, the day nurse aide, got her resettled, resting on her back. I put on M.A.S.H., and we watched it together until I started to sleep more. I fell asleep a few times, and the clock ran fast–all day, I seemed to be in a race with it. Tempus Fugit!

I also read the rules for my new game, Sherlock Holmes: Consulting Detective, one I have thought of trying for years. These have been around as long as I remember looking at board games (1982!). With the birthday gift card, I bought my first one (there are four now) at Rainy Day Games (near the house), now owned by Guardian Games. These can be played solo or with a group. This game is cooperative; the group gets a case, you interview leads, from what I read, and can review the supplied newspapers. The group then decides to get Sherlock’s help, to solve the case, or interview more leads after talking to Sherlock. At the end of the case, you open an envelope and answer questions. Your score is based on your answers and how many leads you used to reach your solution. Sherlock then explains the case to you, it is written and read aloud, or an app can be used, and you find out how you did compare to Sherlock. That sounds like fun, and I will see if Susie can join me for a case one of the Sundays.

The game comes with ten cases. Once you do one, you can’t come back as you know the solution. I am interested to see how this is organized. I wonder if you could do the same thing with H.P. Lovecraft or vampires.

Before visiting with Susie, I stopped for lunch at a familiar Italian place, but the special was not that special, and I am sorry to have wandered away from my favorites–as is my policy–no names for a fail (I will not use social media to create an issue without a chance to reply). The glass of wine was great, as was the salad–perfect garlic bread too. Next time I will stick with what I know is good (usually in cream or tomato sauce).

I stopped by Powell’s in Beaverton and saw a few books that interested me, but nothing initially got my attention. Well, until I hit naval history and found a new book on a modern sea battle, while important, I don’t know: Tsushima Straights (1905). I avoid most older naval history books as the books were political and are versions of the winning side’s narrative. Now historians are reading accounts from both sides, footnoting sources, and multi-lingual sourced. A much better history.

I am already on page thirty of the book, plus I read the editor’s preface. Great Battles: Tsushima by Rotem Kowner appears destined to sit on my shelf of naval history. So far, recommended. Thirty-two-page bibliography and extensive footnotes–excellent.

For my birthday, I ordered the US Naval Institute Press giant book on Bismarck, which arrived today. It is wonderful, and unlike the book I have on Yamato, this one also goes through the findings from the shipwreck. It is heavy, filled with color pictures (mainly from the wreck), and forwards by the surviving crew members (written years ago while the book was still being assembled before they passed away). Amazing.

For a few dollars more, I also have the 1916 officers manual for battleships in the Royal Navy. Sometimes there is a first-hand account that uses unfamiliar language, and I hope the manual from 1916 will help. Postage was already free, so I thought I should grab it now.

While I am covering the things in the mail today, I bought some promo parts for Concordia from Board Game Geek’s store and only wish I had purchased a few more for gifts. I like the extra Forum tiles.

The morning was spent working after rising at 7:30AM and taking one meeting, the defect meeting. This overlaps the standup for our team, so I get this one. I was able to help a bit.

I spent some more hours writing my blog. I showered, dressed, and started back on the radio project. I put on my lab coat and took steel wool to the wood again. I was worried I would damage the radio box if I kept stripping it, and I did damage one area of the veneer. Time to stop! I changed to the spray-on varnish recommended online and purchased it online to ensure I had the same product. I lightly sprayed it on, and it was perfect. It also colored the wood and covered some of the old (and new) damage.

It rained sideways later today. I found the radio with water beading on it–it was fine. Lucky! Excellent finish–I will stay with one coat!

This evening I glued red felt to the old cloth that survived on the radio, preventing light from leaking through it, but I noticed that someone had actually glued that cloth to a silky gold original cloth! I looked at spending another fifty bucks to get something close to the original fabric (some websites provide period-correct patterned cloth) and decided to go with the surviving replacement–cloth likely taken from some long-lost amp. I cut the fabric to fit better (the replacement did not fit that well from the last repair) and glued it back into the radio with white glue. The vacuum tube radio parts held the cloth in place with a damaged speaker (fixed with electrical tape). I think it will work fine now, backed with felt.

Well, sorry, no photos today. Thank you for reading.