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I am writing this Saturday morning as I wanted to relax a bit on Friday night. It is another lovely sunny day in Oregon.

The morning started at 7ish, and I can sleep on Fridays as it is a work-from-home day at the shoe company. I used a bagel-like product (I have some in the freezer and grabbed the wrong bag today) for breakfast with cream cheese sprinkled with cappers and liberal coffee. The cappers add a salty pine flavor that enhances the cream cheese taste. Then, I took the food into the office and started two hours of Zoom meetings. The first hour was our weekly staff meetings, where Rajani, our acting director, tries to make sense of the chaos and helps everyone ground on what is essential and what can slide (in multi-national company IT departments, there is unlimited work and not enough people or time to do it all–you have to keep focused on the goals with high priority). This was followed by a few status meetings.

I had a crisis of the moment and spent hours in meetings trying to find a solution and how to apply it. This went on all day, with the last meeting at 5:05PM with me calling in a while driving home. This crisis broke into multiple issues, and each was resolved. A crazy Friday.

As I had a meeting at 12:30PM, I heated up the last of the tamales in the frig from the tamale lady at Wildwood Taphouse for lunch. I ate it while listening to a crisis meeting.

With the crisis likely over (until another one surfaces), I headed outside and rediscovered why one should use gloves when cutting your roses. The English rose, The Herbalist, has hypodermic sharp thorns–I was reminded when I went to add the rose to my cuttings! The old rose pink moss’s (a lovely but once-blooming rose) moss had hardened from the hot days and stuck me a few times. China rose, a very old, continually blooming rose, had politely pointed down thorns. With a small collection (and a bit of pain), I boarded Air Volvo and headed 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.

Jennifer placed Susie in her bed with her head up, and I pulled a chair beside her. I set up my work and personal computer, my 13″ Apple M1 2020–yes, my previous Apple died in the pandemic, and turned on the TV for Susie. We put on Volume 2 of Guardians of the Galaxy, preparing to watch the new movie. Susie watched some of the show but mainly rested, but she often held my hand. Constantly letting go and doing something at work and then retaking her hand.

Somewhere in the early afternoon, we did call Leta, Susie’s mother, from Susie’s room. Leta was surprised we were not outside. Susie, Leta, and I talked for a bit about little things. It is not so much the words but just the ability to see each other (via FaceTime) and talk that is important.

I had one protracted crisis call that Susie heard and even said “Hi” to everyone. After that, I could mostly send updates, reviews, and emails for Friday afternoon. Then, finally, at 4ish, the movie stopped, and Jennifer got Susie ready to head outside to Mezger Park–Susie was a bit confused about a talking raccoon and a tiny talking plant in the movie.

The park was not overheated, and we were past the hot part of the day, so it seemed to be cooling off. There were more kids and many early dinners as the weekend was starting. There is no cooking in the park, and food waste is quickly disposed of in tight-lidded trash containers, so wasps are not an issue and are not a problem in the Spring, usually.

We found an unoccupied bench in the shade and looked for butterflies (I like the French better: papillons), but today I did not even see the flash of color of a wing in the light. I have not seen the big ones at the house either, so I suspect the caterpillars are still working on eating and will appear later as papillons. Susie and I just enjoy sitting and watching the people for a while. As I said, I have one last meeting, so I return Susie to the hummingbird house with Louis, now the nursing aide on duty, and cook for dinner (burgers tonight at the hummingbird house).

I head back to Beaverton and stop at McMenamins Cedar Hill Pub for a Captain Neon burger (bacon and blue cheese) and a Ruby beer. I am tired, and dinner does not sit well with me, and Air Volvo takes me to the Volvo Cave. I read and rest for a bit. I decide this is likely the last chance to see Dungeons and Dragons, the movie, on a large screen. So at 9PM, I was in the living room-like room at AMC Progress Ridge Theater with popcorn and drink (costing more than the ticket) and enjoyed the movie again. I recommend it as a good action film, and if you are a 5E and familiar with the official D&D setting, it is even more fun. Recommended.

I am reading Charles Stross’s newest book on my Kindle, and I like it but was surprised by some borrowing from TV. So I find that I will be reading along, and then the story will go in some strange direction and stop. The weight of the Kindle then falls on me; I am asleep, and when it hits me, I wake. Sometimes I invent a whole page before I wake up!

I get home without issue and take my pills, nearly forgetting, and then go to bed, read and fall asleep, put away the Kindle, and turn off the lights. I slept until sunrise.

Thanks for reading.

It was a good day. I was busy all day. My Physical Therapy (PT) appointment was with Connor at noon, and I agreed with Conor to graduate. I got to bang a gong, and everyone cheered. The shoe company also gave me some support (details cannot be shared), which was great too. Susie was feeling better today, and it was just 80F (26.7C), so our spin through Metzger Park was not exhausting.

Starting from the beginning, I slept part of the night but did get up twice to prove hydration. My alarm woke me from a dream (now forgotten) at 6AM, and then I decided, no, on exercises as I have PT today and slept until a new alarm fired off at 6:30. I managed to rise, remember how to make liberal coffee in my French Press, and made toast to go with it. I then took a pitcher of water to the 2″ redwood tree, watered it, and then watered the stressed roses in the backyard. They are looking better. I also watered the yet-to-be-planted gift rose bush from Dondrea and Z (a gift for my birthday slightly delayed). Corwin is planting the rose for me on Saturday.

As is my usual plan for the morning, I caught up on email, work, and mine, that came in over the night. Then, I reviewed Slack channel updates and news to prepare me to start my day. First, I cleaned up and dressed. Next, Air Volvo discovered a few school buses on my way to work but delivered me before 8AM for my first status meetings.

The project I am part of is installing our software, and I included in my status meetings today the hour meeting on how we will install it. An hour presentation after the status meetings (I did alert my colleagues to some issues assigned to them–some in error) covered that, and we discovered that 7/24 coverage is less required than the previous practice–excellent!

Soon I was leaving for my PT appointment, where we reviewed my progress from being unable to stand safely to now recommendations to start walking and getting outside more. Conor, my PT expert, strongly recommends I put some stretches and exercises on the back burner and instead get out and walk and enjoy the summer. Conor was happy to hear I was already starting this by pushing Susie’s wheelchair for at least a half-hour daily. Suitable for both of us!

Leo, the assistant I first used, covered a few more updates to ensure I was doing some exercises the best way I could and then held the gong for me to hit. It was loud, and folks cheered, as I said.

Afterward, I headed to Bethany Pub and had a quick bowl of cowboy chili and Diet Coke. I read my email and news on my iPhone when I am having lunch, and the bartender knows my order and just asks me about my usual. Good to be known. Then I boarded Air Volvo and traveled without incident or much traffic (a surprise for Thursday) to 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 ready in her wheelchair and excited to see me after I deplaned from Air Volvo. So we headed out, and Susie was happy to see all the folks and dogs in the park. We called Leta, Susie’s mother, and they chatted for a while as we sat by a picnic table in the shade. After they rang off, we took a long spin around the park. I saw flashes of the wings of a large butterfly, and Susie and I tried to find it. Next time. Susie was amused to be chasing butterflies in a wheelchair!

Susie was not melted this time, and I kissed her goodbye, and she was planning to sit in the shared space in the living room. I left as Jennifer was moving her to place Susie in her recliner. I promised to return and hang out on Friday afternoon. I work from Susie’s room some days.

I returned to work and was amazed that The City of Beaverton found some more holes to install on my way back–construction caused traffic delayed me ten minutes. Returning, work was a few more updates to design documents, and then I joined an emergency call. The primary system, not mine, had crashed, and I listened to the technical team diagnose the issue and helped here and there.

Soon it was 4:45, and I headed out. But, first, I shook some hands as we were installing this weekend.

I then drove home, rested for a bit, contacted Dondrea (we are planning to attend Midsummer’s Night’s Dream in Portland, and we are still working on the details), and then headed to BJ’s Brewhouse. There I had a steak to celebrate the good day.

I also received some flowers from my sister as a long distant hug. I will share the hug with Susie on Friday.

Thank you for reading!

My worst loss in the board game Scythe was today; Z (twelve years old) beat me 93 to 29 in the second episode of the Fenris campaign. She hit all of the popularity increases on the encounter cards and spread out, claiming a pile of hexes. Even with me holding the Factory, I still could not break above thirty, ugh! Next time! Z enjoyed the win, and, with no AC in the church, we play board games on Wednesday while Dondrea, her mother, and others rehearse for Sunday. Unfortunately, it was too hot to play another game–we just made it through the first one. Z and I then walked in the park adjoining the church and talked about math, disasters, and theology while we enjoyed the cool breeze of the setting sun in Beaverton.

Before this, I was hanging out with Corwin, he needed a lift to the bank, and then we got some Sushi at Zen Sushi near the Volvo Cave at the Aloha strip mall. We ordered a Philadelphia Roll (too much food for one, so I was happy to get one with Corwin–excellent to match avocado, cream cheese, and salmon). We got some raw items from the track and ordered miso soup and hot tea. Corwin knows the place and ordered an excellent small calamari dish I had not had before. Excellent.

Corwin will plant Z and Dondrea’s gift, a rose, for me on Saturday. I also found some spare good unmatching towels for Corwin (I had meant to get them to him as I have too many) and a leftover ham (I accidentally ordered two hams from Olympic Provisions, and I cannot eat two before they go bad). So Corwin got to collect a bounty of house stuff today.

Before this, 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. Jennifer said Susie had a rough night, calling out a lot in her sleep–I remember those nights, and she was exhausted. However, when I arrived, she was fighting to stay awake in her chair, and she wanted to go to Metzger Park. She can be stubborn. So despite being exhausted, she wanted a spin through the park.

It was at least 90F (32C) in the shade and more in the sun. We found a bench in the shade, not in use, and called Susie’s mother, Leta. Leta was happy to see Susie via FaceTime and was envious of our warm spring; it was cold in Lansing, Michigan. We had a friendly chat.

Susie wanted to spend extra time in the park–she was fighting to not fall asleep in her wheelchair. I did the whole park and stopped a few more times so Susie could get a more extended visit, but soon she admitted it was time to return to the hummingbird house. I told Susie I would be back in the afternoon on Thursday (I have physical therapy on Thursday) and kissed her goodbye. Susie was not going to bed for a nap but back to her recliner to start with folks. I know how that goes; surrounded by people, it is hard to have a nightmare. I used to fall asleep in the living room sitting next to Susie and not be scared when I dreamed.

Before this, I had lunch with Scott and discussed work things at the “Seb” on Nike WHQ. I had driven to WHQ from my office building, Clubhouse, parked in the NYC garage, and walked across the impressive Nike campus (it is hard to describe how beautiful it is–forget Microsoft or Apple–it is the best). Scott gave me the short story on the building; besides working in the biz, Scott is an official tour guide and does executive (C Level) tours. So it is always fun when we have lunch, and he explains the buildings to me. The salad bar was excellent, and we found a table and chatted. We have been working together for years and keep connected by meeting for lunch every week (but usually less as we both get conflicts with the timing).

Before the excellent lunch and walk and Scott’s spiel on the building, I was at Clubhouse approving updates to technical designs (mostly recording bug fixes) and attending status meetings. I started at 6AM and managed twenty minutes of stretches and exercises. I time-box it as I have too many exercises, and I am not supposed to do them all daily. I was at the office before 8AM for the first Zoom meetings.

I slept until my alarm woke me, waking a few times to vivid dreams. I still cannot sleep the night through.

Sorry for the brief blog, but it was a routine and lovely day. No tears. No pain. And pleasant meals and great weather. Thanks for reading.

 

 

Just a brief story for today, going backward, I was just reading until 9PM (21:00) the newest Charles Stross Laundry Files book: Season of Skulls. Another modern take on the horrors of H.P. Lovecraft with computer and computational mathematics identical to casting spells. A favorite setting and even an RPG that I have borrowed material from and even played. The book is a brain cookie and always a treat to get the next installment. 

Before reading in bed and ignoring the world, I was at dinner with Rev. Anne and Rev.Dr. Wayne Weld-Martin at Mazatlan Mexican Restaurant in the Aloha strip mall, only a minute from the Volvo Cave. I was forty-five minutes late as the shoe company had an emergency meeting on a crisis of the moment at 5:30 that over-ran to 6:20. Anne and Wayne were still happy when I finally showed up (Anne had left her phone home, so my text and calls did not reach her). We had a nice but truncated dinner together. Anne was sitting on my left, and she noticed how much I struggled to hear her. I had to turn and face her and then turn away from her so my right ear could hear her. I am not shy about this anymore. I can hear the lower frequency sound better; Wayne’s voice carried better. But I made an effort to hear them both.

I had a margarita and my usual tamale and chili relleno. Anne ordered Flan and Wayne a second beer while I ate.

Before this, I drove home early and followed along until 4PM. Work was quiet for me; we started the go-live this weekend. The emergencies were on transactional data, which I am not responsible for now.

I got Susie’s bill from the pharmacy, including two hundred dollars in Ensure (OTC). I pay them with a physical check when I get the bill. I want them to react to Susie’s needs, being local, so they get their money ASAP, but using a completely auditable paper record.

I got a call from my doctor discussing my hearing. The damage is loss of nerves and will not get better. The loss suggests a virus or other cause in the left ear, so an MRI is warranted to check for a physical cause, but the loss is irreversible (my hope for a chance to get better is dashed), and it is likely nothing serious wrong. I will get an MRI in the next week or so.

Next, Susie’s cardiac doctor’s office called. Susie’s lab show an issue with her liver. The doc is removing the anti-cholesterol drug from Susie’s daily pills. Susie’s cholesterol numbers were good, so this should not be an issue. Next month, four weeks from now, we will do another visit to a lab to recheck Susie’s liver function. The doc will send an order to the hummingbird house as they need clear paperwork (That was done by the end of the day).

I had lunch at Chipotle, having chips, a rice bowl, and a Diet Coke. I ate this while reading news items on my phone. Before this, I had 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.

Susie was in her recliner in the shared living room when I got there and was happy to leave for a spin around the park. Jennifer got Susie popped into her wheelchair, and I applied sunblock to Susie’s hands and exposed legs. Susie is allergic to the sun, and her meds require limited exposure.

(I did not notice Susie’s glasses were on her ear until later)

We did the usual stopping at benches and enjoyed the park. There were dogs and folks everywhere. We called Leta, Susie’s mother, from a bench, and she enjoyed the chat and used her phone to show us her new deck, which was almost finished.

Before this, I was at work at 8AM after getting up at 6AM, starting my exercise and stretches again, and then doing coffee and a yogurt cup with fruit for breakfast. I watered the stressed roses, the new tree I planted this week, and the yet-to-be-planted rose bush from Dondrea and Z for my birthday.

Moving to roses, the pink moss rose bloomed (a one-time blooming rose), and Mister Lincoln has a bud ready to open. The other roses will likely bloom in the next few days. It should be a riot of color and scents!

(Pink Moss, an old rose)

(Mister Lincoln, hybrid tea rose–1964)

Thanks for reading!

A setback in my health. I have been having hearing issues, but with all the events and pandemic, I have ignored the problems for years. Now my hearing is gone, mostly in my left ear, and I am bringing to detect hearing issues with my right. Today I finally visited an Ear, nose, and throat clinic (ENT), and after cleaning out my ears, they defined my loss. So the loss is someways profound, and I am likely having, even with my better hearing ear, issues understanding the letters F and G as those sounds are in a range I have moderate hearing loss in my good ear. This has disappointed me as I had hoped for something better, but I believe I have experienced what was detected. Further, the loss on my left side is inexplicable as it starts as a severe loss and is even profound for some sounds. The left side may have a medical condition (and that gives me some hope for relief).

I am depressed as I have already noticed the loss in listening to music (I cannot hear the higher tones, so the music seems hollow), and I cannot understand some conversations unless I am close to the speaker. In addition, I have started to struggle with accents that were once clear to me. I am ready to just hide in my home office and text everyone. I may feel better about this in a few days–but I had hoped (prayed) that this infirmity would pass me by, but I have to face it; another thing. I really just want to hide. I am sure I can look into hearing aids, but I am worried that will conceal the worsening condition.

For dinner, I did manage to eat a tamale from the tamale lady at Wildwood Taphouse. I see her there maybe every year, and she sells tamales from her truck (hot and spicy), and I purchased a set from her yesterday. So good!

Yesterday I also saw JR at the Taphouse, and we chatted briefly. Then, he headed out on his bike. JR retired from Nike some time ago. We met there, working in what was then called Global Information Technology (GIT). It is always lovely to drink a beer with him. First, I spend some time at the bar and then find a corner to write. I go there to write as I don’t always like to be alone when I write.

Starting from the beginning of Monday, I was up early and made instant low-sugar oatmeal adding walnuts and dried cranberries. This is with liberal coffee, of course. I then headed out, after showering and dressing, to the ENT clinic for an early morning appointment. I put on the Air Volvo nav but then skipped its suggestions to use the highways during rush hour. Nav was correct, but I don’t have kids, so I did not know about the near shutdown of roads in front of schools (kids getting dropped off). I was only a few minutes late!

The first hearing test attempt failed because my ears had too much wax. I had to wait until my 9AM appointment, and the doc then cleaned up my ears. I was then told my hearing test was rescheduled to 10AM; I got some coffee while I waited, plus a slice of lemon cake.

The test is quite difficult because I have to concentrate on hearing anything. The sounds in my left ear are not just 1/2 volume but garbled, like underwater listening. I have lost my ability to quickly hear high tones. I am happy to know what is wrong (I have a physical copy of the report) and wondered if I could reverse filter the sound with a program and feed the sounds from a headphone and play mono, but adjusted into my right ear. I could then use headphones again (I have not been able to use headphones for some time as the sound is garbled). It may be time for a Python program on my Apple. I could also do something with hardware for a personalized speaker (microcontrollers are too slow to handle this). I could increase the volume in a separate high-frequency speaker to match my hearing range (it would sound good to me) by adding ten to twenty decibels to high-frequency sounds. Just my mad scientist wanting to build my own hearing aid.

While enjoying the tests, my phone buzzed too (making it even harder to hear for the test), and that was Jennifer at hummingbird house letting me know that Susie’s shipment of strawberry Ensure was late and asked if I could get some and bring it to Susie. So I head from the ENT clinic directly to Susie using those same highways I had avoided and make a quick trip and soon reach Target near 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 wanted some flowers too, but it was Mother’s Day on Sunday, and Target was out of flowers, having not restocked yet. So I soon had the Ensure and headed to the hummingbird house.

Susie was delighted to have me there, and Jennifer was happy to get the Ensure for Susie. Jennifer put Susie in the wheelchair (covered Susie’s arms and exposed ankles with sunscreen) from her recliner in the shared living room space, and we headed out into the morning/early afternoon hot air. The park was busy, but I got us to the shaded bench by the cedars. I checked with the park staff, and they pointed out the redwoods (which look more like huge perfect cone Christmas trees); I now know which is which; excellent. We then called Leta, Susie’s mother, and talked briefly.

Susie and I sped around the park as I had to return to work. Susie was happy to enjoy the sun and see all the folks in the park. The locals and the park manager are beginning to recognize us–we are regulars!

I kissed Susie goodbye and headed home. I was still depressed and just returned to the house and started working after making lunch. I boiled cheese-stuffed pasta and spicy locally made marinara sauce from a bottle. Something simple, pasta with sauce. I had more bowls than I should have, but it tasted good, and I eat when I am sad.

I then tried to follow along at work but felt inadequate to the challenge after the hearing report. I tried to keep up. I stopped at about 4:30 and decided to finish a movie I found on YouTube: Space Battleship Yamato. This is a live-action film with some incredible model work, with the actors voiced in English. Quite terrible and predictable. It is nearly impossible to get the 1:500 matching SciFi model of the Yamato, and I have seen the lighting kit to make the effect of firing its super cannon for sale. Nevertheless, I wanted to see the movie. It was a good distraction.

I have a tamale for dinner and an apple and watch the show on my Apple. I rested briefly and fell unexpectedly asleep but woke only after thirty minutes. I then made some popcorn and watched a science series, Shock and Aw, the Story of Electricity, which I recommend.

I then wrote this blog.

I am still depressed and overreacting; I will see how I feel in the morning. No decisions tonight and nothing until I am back in focus. Ugh!

Here is my first rose in my garden. The plant is always the first and last bloom and is an old rose often called Old Blush or China Rose.

I forgot that I went out and fixed a loose board in the old fence. While I was drilling in some new screws and adding a piece of wood to hold the board better, I met the new folks moving into the house behind mine. We could only reach over the fence as there was no gate to shake hands. I decided to do something not depressing and fix the board.