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I am writing this on 1April2023, and the online jokes are already on YouTube. The rains have paused, and the water is no longer pouring out of my house’s gutters like a broken pipe. When I drove home from Portland last night, Air Volvo flew through puddles halfway over the lane and tossed water as high as its roof. Being an overly polite Oregonian, I did look that there were no folks nearby, then Air Volvo crashed through the puddles–I think I can hear Air Volvo giggle.

It was Friday and a work-from-home day, so I slept into 7ish and did my first Zoom meeting at 8AM, a team meeting. The status meetings went on every half hour through the morning, all on Zoom. The general debate was that our project was two days late, and the weekend was not used to catch up on the lost time. Also, the long-running jobs could not be started on Friday night as originally planned. A clear weekend for everyone–yes.

I followed along as the project continued to run the preparational steps for the data conversions and made Clam Chowder for lunch with some garlic toast (premade in the freezer, Texas Toast brand). The effects of it being Friday and Spring Break started to show as the issues quieted. I headed out in Air Volvo to see Susie at the hummingbird house in Portland (Tigard) at 9925 SW 82nd. Ave. Portland (Tigard), OR 97223; phone (503) 246-4116.

The traffic was heavy as it was Friday afternoon in Beaverton, and the construction closed various lanes here and there. Without issue and seeing none of Beaverton’s Finest in the pouring rain giving out tickets, I slowly reached Susie’s place.

Susie was in bed, she often rests in the afternoons, but today she had tummy issues and was on her side in her bed. I had to wake her. She was delighted to see me, and we soon called Leta, her mother, on the iPhone. Leta and Susie chatted for some time, seeing each other on FaceTime–I held the phone as Susie was still on her side. Michelle Nixon, who runs the houses, brought in her grandbaby and let Susie hold the child. Susie was delighted, and Leta was still on the phone and happy to watch and talk to Michelle.

After the baby event, it was time for me to leave and Leta to ring off. Susie was disappointed, but no tears and my wet trip to the Volvo Cave was without incident or police involvement. I was tired today. I rested a bit, but kept checking in.

Mariah suggested Von Eberts in the Pearl District in Portland for an early dinner, and I agreed. Back to face Friday night (ugh!), wet traffic. I arrived at 5PM after taking an hour to travel from the Volvo Cave to Portland and saw the messy wet Friday parking situation and thus parked in the parking garage across the street from Von Eberts. Plenty of dry safe parking for a price.

There I had two beers, a set of the world’s best smoked, and then sauced wings. I heard that the wings are so good that the chickens volunteer. The food was great. There are no waiters, you have to use Toast to order, and then very helpful folks deliver your food. American baseball was on the big screens; it was the opening day. Mariah and I talked about some writing we have not done (someday!) and worked a bit. Mariah has finished another month’s end (part of her compensation is sales commission) above the target and was likely a leader this month–all good.

I headed to Powells and met a nice guy in the gaming section, and we talked about role-playing games. He did go Gamestorm and played mostly RPG games (I passed due to the continuing pandemic and all those other interesting colds, flu, and coughs out there now; next year!). I am sure we will see each other again, and we shook hands (I do that now and wash my hand) and exchanged names. While tempted, I managed to just look today. I also still social distance and so I had to wait here and there to get to a book. There are more wonderful cookbooks again–I resisted as I have two I am still reading.

I found the car, found the tiny paper you need to pay in my pocket, paid, and then left. As I have said, there are no issues returning home other than puddles.

I went to bed early. I read a bit, but I was too tired to read much. I have put away the brain cookies and returned to The Song of the Cell from the same author who wrote the history of cancer treatment in The Emperor of All Maladies, which I highly recommend (it won the Pulitzer). This newish book (everything about medicine predating the pandemic seems dated) is an excellent read, and the subject, cells, fascinates me.

I did not return to the radio project as I make mistakes when tired–no time to use glues, knives, hot soldering irons, and cutting wires! The wood box needs to sanded and coated. Next are the nobs, buttons, and casting the buttons into a light display. Soon!

I received more radio project parts, eyeing the next radio already received. I may try to make a PCB board now that I have done two of these. It is fun to code, construct, and assemble these projects.

Thanks for reading.

 

Beginning the narrative with the more important moments, I visited Susie at about 11AM after finishing her breakfast. I had no meetings from 10AM to 1PM, so I was not rushed like the previous days. Susie was also awake, not sleepy this time. She was delighted to see me early and happy when I told her I could stay longer today while I had to return to work; I was not rushed. I had traveled from work to Susie without issue; the hummingbird house is at the hummingbird house in Portland (Tigard) at 9925 SW 82nd. Ave. Portland (Tigard), OR 97223; phone (503) 246-4116.

We spent about forty minutes together. We called her mother, Leta, on the iPhone using FaceTime so they could see each other. Susie demonstrated that her right arm is working again, but her hand is weak from less use from the stroke of November 2021, which affected her right side, ability to swallow, and speech. I have to watch Susie in the wheelchair or the rocking chair as she can suddenly lean on the right side without knowing it and, if I am inattentive, fall. When Susie is tired, she is very prone to leaning to the right.

Susie was thrilled to talk to Leta and have me there, not rushed, and she was not sad or tired today–a change from yesterday. I showed Susie on my iPhone her sister Barb’s, who is traveling in Ireland with her husband Gordon, photographs on FaceBook, and some shopping pictures Barb sent me today. I was nearly an hour meeting with Susie when it was time to leave. Susie was yawning and ready to nap in her recliner in the living room. I could have used a nap too. I got a kiss goodbye, and Susie understood that I had to leave. No tears today.

Returning to the morning, I debated if I would get going at 6AM when the alarm went off. I went as far as resetting the alarm, but finally, wasting only five minutes, I just jumped out of bed. Then, I commanded light from Alexa and turned on all the lights. That helped.

I had cottage cheese (dusted with pepper, sea salt, and smoked paprika) and 1/2 a can of peaches. This was matched with liberal coffee made in my French Press. There were no ants in the kitchen, but a few appeared in the office and the bathroom. I may have to expand my efforts.

Before enjoying my repast or taking my meds, I did the basic exercises, which were a bit of a struggle as yesterday’s full set of stretches and exercises had left me stiff. Nevertheless, I pushed through the basic set. This gave me enough time not to rush breakfast and read some news and my personal emails. Of course, I also read all the work emails and Slack Channel updates. I like being prepared for the day and informed of the news.

After this, I showered and dried my long hair with a towel. It is getting thick again. I dressed, boarded Air Volvo at 7:30, and reached the office before 8AM. I then enjoyed hours of Zoom meetings. I take the rest of the coffee from the French Press as a thermal cup; I get more when I get a short break between meetings. The project buys everyone’s coffee from the coffee shop (they serve Starbucks, of course) until 10AM.

Aside: My oncologist’s office called and told me they were moving my appointment out as they needed my appointment for another patient; it was important that the patient see the oncologist soon. I was happy to oblige, as mine was just a survivor appointment. I was pleased to not need an emergency appointment and could move mine out to help. I am glad to help a fellow cancer patient!

Skipping to the end of the workday, I was back after eating lunch at Panera Bread. I was hoping the strawberry salad was back, but not yet here (Leta got one in Michigan), but instead had a chicken salad sandwich and a cup of broccoli cheddar soup. I did more meetings, one chaotic and the rest the usual status. I needed to do some chores at home, so I headed out at 3ish.

I got home in light traffic, just before the schools let out, and arrived and picked up some items. I then headed out to do the chores. I mailed a package to Zorida that had come back–the machine at the post office did not charge me enough postage, and it returned to me. I remailed it. I stopped by my bank’s ATM to have it refuse to deposit the $1 medical check. Puke. I will have to do this at a bank office (old school)–I put the check in the door of Air Volvo and will try to get that done. I gassed up the car at $4.09 (remember, we do not have sales tax) a gallon.

I returned and signed back in; no issues looking for me at the shoe company. I rested for a bit and checked again. Nope.

I boiled water, defrosted skinless and boneless chicken thighs, fried them in butter with Herbs de Province, salt, and smoked paprika, and heated Alfredo sauce from a bottle in a pan. I baked the browned but still undercooked chicken in a preheated oven for twenty minutes to finish cooking. To do this, I transferred the chicken to a glass pan; I cooked the chicken in my non-stick pan (thanks, Steve), and that pan should not go into the oven. Next, I cooked rigatoni pasta from a box and mixed it all together after splitting the chicken thighs on a cutting board. It was a bit plain (I had not marinated or broiled the chicken), but I still had a few bowls.

I packed the uneaten portion for leftovers in glassware (thanks, Gene and Glenda).

I watched The Long Halloween (part 1), an animated Batman movie that I strongly recommend and still watch over and over. It is fun to rewatch as I try to catch all the giveaways you miss in the first viewing. I will watch part 2 later.

I then returned to the office and worked on the wooden radio box for my project. I reglued some delaminating veneer and then replaced tiny bits here and there. I have some oak veneer (not finished) that I will dye to the correct color (I have the dye for my wooden models from OcCre in Spain–excellent stuff). I should then repaint the wood with stain and ploy I have already purchased. I staked a pile of books on the wood to push the veneer back in place (adding white glue to hold the new form).

I also watched the newest The Mandalorian episode. I found this one, Pirate, less believable. but still an excellent show.

I want to work on my radio project tonight, but I am tired. So I think I will read and fall asleep instead.

Thanks for reading.

I will start in the middle today with the sad part of the day; I reached Susie in the afternoon at the hummingbird house in Portland (Tigard) at 9925 SW 82nd. Ave. Portland (Tigard), OR 97223; phone (503) 246-4116. I had spent the morning working at the shoe company office building for the project called the Clubhouse (originally the golf building), which is not on the Nike WHQ, but just a short drive away. After breakfast, she napped in her recliner in the shared living room. Susie woke and smiled when she saw me. Susie is always happy when I visit.

As always, we use my iPhone to call Leta (Susie’s mother) in Lansing, Michigan, on FaceTime. Susie and Leta are happy to see each other and chat for a while. Susie’s language is still difficult to understand (the stroke was on the right side two Novembers ago and impaired her speech), but the managed to have a nice time talking.

It was time for me to go, I had to return to work and find some lunch, but Susie said, “no, not so soon.” She had tears in her eyes. She is also yawning and falling asleep and complains that she is falling asleep. Susie does not want this reality today where she is trapped falling asleep not in her house and not with her family (me). Susie tells me not to go. Her eyes are wet. I stay just a bit longer and hold her hand, she starts again to nod off, and she agrees I can go, but I promise to return on Thursday and a movie on Saturday when I am not working. I leave with a kiss with the image of Susie’s tears.

I am not OK after this, and the rest of the afternoon at work is lost. I researched Git and discussed some work items and career planning with the younger members, but it was all like a dream. I was miserable and sad. The worst days are when Susie wants her life back and asks me to stay and help her. I still have to work and can visit every day, but not for long.

I have tears, and I am lost today. It is hard today. It sucks.

Returning to the story, After leaving Susie, I get some lunch somewhere–Panera Bread nearby. I have a salad that I barely taste. I read some articles on my phone, trying to distract myself. I then head back to work but have to turn around–I was driving to see Susie again. My mind wants to stay with her, but I find a street, turn around, and find my way back to Nike’s Clubhouse building. I sit in Air Volvo, trying to find my focus–it is not coming. I walk into the building, and slowly my focus resettles a bit. But I am sad all day, and tears come unbidden while reading Slack channel updates or emails.

I walk down to the coffee folks. Nike has a coffee for sale in our building. The baristas are falling asleep–there are no customers (most folks are off or working from home this week–Spring Break); they are happy to make me a coffee drink–I let them pick it. They are happy for a distraction. I return up the stairs–I no longer feel exhausted from using the stairs or feel like I will fall–better.

Work ends after 5PM, and I drive to Beaverton’s Cedar Hills strip mall and try Shack Shack; I have never been to one. A kind manager with a head scarf and a Midwest accent helps me order on a screen; I select the recommended white truffle-flavored burger, fries, and a Diet Coke. She even arranges lettuce on my burger and brings me my to-go order. Quite kind and that brightens my day–kindness goes a long way when you are sad.

I drive to First United Methodist in Beaverton and eat my delicious burger and fries in Air Volvo. Z and Dondrea pull in. I spend the evening playing board games with Z. First is Wingspan, two quick games, and then two games of Azule in which I might have made a mistake scoring, so we will call those ties.  Z and I needed a distraction, so we focused on the game and forgot everything else.

I have described Wingspan before; it is a newish game and elegant once you get the rules down. It allows you to build a virtual bird sanctuary and Euro-game-style engines with the birds you attract. Today, I was far ahead, but I got lucky and got some very good combinations of bird cards; I have played the game when I got nothing useful and watched as another player just crushed it–my turn to get all the cool cards (birds). Still a fun game, but just a bit too random for me in the original version. I have played with the expansion–Wingspan European Expansion, which is less random–I need to get that. Z had a good time with me; I won by less than ten points in the two games.

I am calm again, and the sadness is mostly gone now (the writing brings back damp eyes for me–but that is why I write; I want to remember and record every day–they are precious to me). Dear reader, I’m sorry if today is a downer, but I want to write the truth as I experience it.

I am feeling better now.

The morning started with me wondering how 6AM could be so soon. I found breakfast, an NYC bagel defrosted for 15 seconds in the microwave. Liberal coffee to join that. I read emails, Slack channel updates, and the news to prepare for my Wednesday. I did all my exercises and then dressed and rushed out the door. I made it in time for all the meetings starting at 8AM.

A hard day, but kindness surfaced from a stranger, and some fun with Z relieved the pain.

I took off the days after my birthday Monday 17April-18April. I wanted some days off with a chance to hang out longer with Susie.

Thanks for reading.

 

 

 

 

Working backward, I just attached a microphone to my amp box, a prototype for the power system I am using. I managed to program the microcontroller to read the microphone but did not get useful values. I will have to do some more reading for that. I can control the use by code, so I have the needle meter again using the nob. I have the speakers and amp playing for me from my Apple.

Before this, I completed the code and attached the neoPixel to the new radio main frame by screw connectors. I did the voltage translation last night, attaching a tiny board to the main frame. The neoPixels use 5V, not 3.3V, so I did the translation using a small board from Sparkfun just for these issues. LadyAda strongly recommends the translation and using a large 1000uF 15V+ capacitor to protect the neoPixels from harm. I cut that into the wires for the strip. I used heat shrink tubing to cover the bare wires and my heat gun. It all worked, and the strip looks bright and colorful (the code for the radio now spends a moment updating the neoPixels–I used code from AdaFruit examples to add this function to my radio code).

Before this, I repaired more missing veneer (a tiny piece but noticeable) on the wooden radio box. I also reglued (white glue) the delamination of the curved edge. I will fix the other side next. That is the final step unless I decide to fix a few minor veneer losses. I received the new see-thru precut plastic for the faceplate area (the old plastic is discolored and partially melted). It was a bit too large, but I used my mini belt and disk sander to reduce it to fit the space. It took a few passes, but it works well now. I will glue it in place with see-thru white glue after I paint the frame carefully with some brass paint that contains wax so it can be polished like natural brass.

I have yet to build the station change buttons and volume to finish the electronics. But to build that, I must finish the case repairs and painting. So that will be last.

I returned to the Volvo Cave at about 5:20. I found the plastic mentioned above pieces (I ordered two in case I scratched one) and the casting clay delivered–I will be making transparent replacement buttons to be lighted up by the neoPixels. The trip from work was without events, but traffic was heavy. I was hungry and made tuna fish from a can and added tartar sauce, German hot mustard (for some kick), and pepper. I had this with crackers again. It was perfect. I ate that and watched a few YouTube videos from Battleship New Jersey and the couple rebuilding a wooden WW2 boat, Ship Happens. Both are fun but will sometimes fast-forward.

Moving back to the afternoon, I was at work in the office, with the afternoon being filled with various crises of the moment and some electronic paperwork. I was busy, and the time blew by. Before this, I had lunch and saw Susie.

Moving the narrative to the early afternoon, I left to see Susie and arrived about noon. Susie was napping in her chair in the shared living room. I woke her, and she was delighted to have me visit her. We soon called Leta, Susie’s mother, and chatted. Leta had heard from Barb, Susie’s sister, and she and Gordon, her husband, were enjoying their visit to Ireland. Soon, I had to be on my way, find lunch, and return to work. I left Susie with a kiss.

I had lunch at Chipotle, trying not to rush and reading stores on my iPhone. I had the chicken bowl with chips. I soon returned to the shoe company using a messy and clogged Highway 217 on both ways. I hate getting the traffic jam coming and going!

Moving to the morning, rising at 6AM required me to sit there for a time as I woke tired and with a stuffy nose, but soon I located the kitchen, cleaned up the ant bait (no living ants remained), and emptied the dishwasher, refilled it, and wash the light load. I was tired of dirty dishes–if I had done the dishes before, I would have had to look at the ants swarming the poison. Nope. Next, I started the hot water, found a yogurt for breakfast, and did the basic stretches and exercises. I then read some emails, Slack channel updates, and some news. Another mass shooting of children, more escalating tensions with Russia, and no new banks failed (today).

I drank my liberal coffee made in my French Press while getting informed for the morning. Next, I showered and dressed. This includes applying Utterly Smooth 20% Urea (cow pee) to my hands and feet. The numbness has slowed and reversed, and I have been using that since the Chemo. It was in the instructions for Chemo (!), and I was asked by the pharmacist and the doctor if I had acquired the product and used it daily. I still use it–it can’t hurt (other than I drop more tiny parts now when building things–utterly smooth, indeed).

I slept well, except I woke tired. Thanks for reading.

 

Monday arrived with me having trouble sleeping again. I woke at 4, 5, and 6, finally getting up at 6:30ish to start Monday. The ant bait was surrounded by a black line of soon-to-be former ants. The ant bait is made from borax mixed with corn syrup and water. It is easy to make, but I usually buy it. The roach products are also made with borax. It is not dangerous but is used chiefly for washing (don’t eat borax like you don’t eat soup). The pests will soon be reduced in number.

I ignored the black swarm, made coffee (dumping out the water in the pot, just in case), and made hot water for liberal coffee via my French Press. I had only yogurt for breakfast with my meds. I was a bit unsteady, so I forwent my exercises and stretches today. Today is my 220 weeks (4+ years) of writing; Grammarly keeps track. I then enjoyed a few hours of Zoom meetings and some crises of the moment as we started the next testing cycle for our project. My team was busy all day fixing and working out issues in the data configuration we needed to have in place before we started the three weeks of data conversions on Wednesday.

I had meetings repeatedly for various data issues and special data conversions. Of course, the details can not be covered here (and it would put more readers to sleep); I was busy and rushed all morning. I found time to open a can of tuna fish, add capers, stir in mayonnaise, and sprinkle in seasoning (dried mustard, pepper, dried tarragon). I ate this with some crackers while listening to Zoom meetings and reading (emails, Slack streams, and Internet news).

I finally boarded Air Volvo in the afternoon and drove slowly across Beaverton. My timing was lunch; this was a heavy traffic time, and the construction worsened it. Beaverton’s Finest must have a month-end quota, as I saw them everywhere and giving out tickets.

I forgot to take a picture of Susie. Susie was in her bed now as she was having tummy issues. She was delighted to see me, was no longer exhausted, and was wide awake. She had Bunny next to her and was still holding onto the toy stuffed white rabbit. I promised to bring Owly or Froggie next.

Susie and Leta, her mother, chatted for a while on my iPhone. They can see each other on FaceTime and talk for a time. I was time-boxed as I had a meeting until the afternoon and the next one at 1:05. Susie was surprised I had only a short visit, but I decided to do the meeting in the car and stayed longer. Susie looked better, and while she looked sad when it was time for me to leave, she looked happy to see me and talk to her mother. A better day.

I managed to cover most of Beaverton before I had to pull over to do the Zoom meeting on my phone. The meeting was canceled: f**k. Air Volvo got me home without incident.

I received the casting resin set and replacement screw terminals that are the right size for breadboard spacing. The clay for the resin molds will be here on Tuesday. Later, I received my breakout board microphones, 2″ speakers, and other goodies from AdaFruit in NYC. I have purchased LiPo batteries from Sparkfun, plus some parts for the next radio project that will be here next week that I can only get from the folks in the Denver area.

Nike IT continued to have some crises of the moment, and we had a meeting on how to control some data flows–again, details can’t be covered here (and it would be boring). I am finally free, but I follow along as the setup is a critical path for the project.

I contact Dondrea, and she and Z can join me for dinner. We decided to meet for dinner at Si Senor, near Dondrea’s home. I had a Mexican dinner (a Taco, plus Chile Relleno and a Pork Tamale–hungry from my light fair today) with a beer and ordered fried ice cream for Z–we shared that. Everyone was stuffed and happy. We chatted about Z’s camp in Portland and some church items while eating. It was a pleasant meal.

At about 8ish, I headed back in Air Volvo with light traffic this time and still Beaverton’s Finest, trying to catch up on the ticket counts for March, I believe. I drove carefully (no hot yellow lights) and did not handle my phone. I arrived home without incident or increasing the Beaverton’s Trafic Court’s treasury.

I managed to replace some more veneer on my radio project between things. I have one more big piece to replace. I then need to reglue some veneer that had delaminated from what I believe is water damage. I may then replace some tiny bits or just accept it. More to come on that. I have the stain and poly already purchased.

I decided to drop the needle meter from the display as there was not enough room for the LCD and the meter. This means dropping the microphone from the design (which finally showed today!). The meter and LCD would take up all the space, and the original radio plate would be lost–I want it still to be visible.

I think the needle will work in the following radio project; with the LCD on the outside of the box mounted over the speakers, I can fit the meter in the tuning window on the Crosly 1935 Tombstone cabinet. So no loss. I also have more space inside the case. I am also considering ordering an actual PCB board manufactured for the next radio–so cool if I can do that.

Well, it is getting late, and I have one more piece of veneer to fix tonight and then some neoPixies to solder in a series. Thanks for reading.

And thinking about a few years ago in Amsterdam with Susie…