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Monday is much like Saturday to me. I usually have nothing on Mondays and can sleep in. There are no Saturday Cartoons, but it does feel like my memories of Saturdays when I was a child. It feels good to just enjoy the blankets.

I rose, and the coffee maker was still heating the coffee. I had assembled it the night before, but I need to remember to get more coffee (I spaced it) since I used the last of the locally roasted beans and need more. It was wonderful to pour a cup, find a bagel-like bread product, and spread cream cheese to complete my breakfast.

I wrote the blog and heard from Deborah while she drove. We later watched a show together, Matlock, the new version with Kathy Bates. I managed to find focus and was surprised to push out 1,300 words. I then showered and dressed. I considered growing a Santa beard, but I decided it was nothing I had any experience with, meaning I passed this year.

I received some African American Heritage Hymnals from Cokeberry and put a few in the EV. We saw these at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta and thought them quite good. I bought a few for the church and friends, and they arrived yesterday. I got two prints I wanted to frame, I put them in a weatherproof folder, and put that in the EV. It was damp, but the storm had not yet reached its full intensity.

Lunch was cold chicken with potato salad and coleslaw. Later, Corwin stopped by, reheated the pasta and sausage I had made yesterday, ate it for lunch, and did the dishes for me. Our schedules haven’t been connecting lately. Mariah asked to meet for lunch, but I was enjoying Delta Dental and discovering how my new insurance will work. I connected to their call center; they were helpful and competent, and soon my account was working. I learned to click ‘change group’ and found my new insurance. I updated the security questions and other important settings. I missed lunch with Mariah.

Air VW the Gray took me to First United Methodist Church, and I was there just to check the refresh work and to drop off a hymnal for the office. Jack was there, and he liked the hymnal; he took it for inspiration. The Food Pantry was giving away food, and I chatted with those folks for a while. Ken showed up as I was headed out, and I turned around. We talked in his office, and he got the other hymnal I had (I kept one back for Dondrea).

I headed to the framing store and laughed when I arrived to find it, like many Art institutions, closed on Monday.

I returned home without issue. The winds were not too bad, and the rain was coming down faster but not at soaking speed. I was tired and rested for a bit, and as I said, watched a show with Deborah. I then returned to Mary Beard’s Rome with No Limits video on YouTube while I made a thick pork chop, green beans (I had only frozen and regretted it), and a potato I cooked in the microwave, then wrapped in tinfoil and added to the hot oven with the pork chop. I was going to put a jam on the chop, like I used to get at BJ’s Brewhouse, but I simply forgot.

There was too much food, and I did not finish the potatoes and the beans. I watched another Star Trek: Strange New Worlds episode and then sat down at my mostly cleaned-up table and started painting 28mm figures. The house seemed controlled enough to just use the brushes and paints I already had to start to finish some figures based on the TV show M.A.S.H. I finished the base painting for Radar and cleaned up a few items on others. I have some gaming figures (under 28mm) for the board game Pandemic and hope to paint them soon.

I also covered a tent with Speed Paint, and that will be finished with ease. I washed off the paint from my hands, then finished the dishes and headed to bed.

I was tired but relaxed. Painting the figures and having the house tidier helped.

Thanks for reading.

 

 

It is another church morning, and I rise after 7, knowing I have plenty of time: church service is at 11, and coffee is waiting for me. It will be a slow day as I am paying for all the travel with some exhaustion, and the house and bills are getting untidy. I chat with Deborah a few times and find that the blog is not my focus, as I pay bills, supply some money for Mom Wild to Linda (and while it is nothing like this…I had to put this here). Paypal mangled the payment, and I had to repeat it (must have been ‘New Business’). I have noticed some instability in PayPal of late. Hmmm.

I paid off everything, including flights, hotels, and some entertainment in the Detroit area. I returned to the blog and found my focus again. Finances are tidy again. I was not able to finish in the time I had left.

I dressed in a white shirt, tan pants, a blue sweater vest, and a pride tie. My pants and shirt could not seem to keep in their correct place, but I hope that I looked tidy at least, sticking to tidiness today. I am pleased with my dress shoes (plain black leather), which have a rubber texture on the bottom (the sole of boots), as they do not slip or get damp. Good for Oregon.

I arrived before the service and soon am doing my ushering gig and giving a few tours of the refresh work. It is ahead of schedule. The cost seems to have faded as a concern, and everyone is happy with how nice it looks and just wants to see it done.

Pastor Ken runs over for his sermon, but it was well done, and he had much to say, and I can’t complain, well, as any Methodist, I can. Ken searched for a way to explain that the world brings hardships, crushing disasters, and disappointments. It is not true, and there is nothing in the Bible that suggests this is true, that living a Christian (or Jewish or Muslim) righteous life will avoid these. Bad things do happen to good people, though Ken did not use those words. That our faith and our God and Jesus can give us the strength, words, and hope to face these. Ken’s other message was that we cannot turn away from these dark events that affect others. We must object to the darkness, see the folks facing injustice, and help when we can, even if all we can do is see them.

And while Ken was in this darkness for a while, and I thought as an usher I should bring him a flashlight and direct him to the exit and the light, he did find his way out on his own, and it was a good sermon (here). Communion was next, and we now do it in the mob version. Before, the usher(s) would go row by row, and now I get to do my ‘pope’ arm wave to get everyone to stand and head out of the pews and mob the communion table. Fun. Though the older ushers (most called to the Great Church Service of the Saints) would roll their eyes and miss the old military precision. It works.

I got to sing, terribly, some Christmas favorites. I did the offering and, with the holy family now on the altar, I put the plate, as always, to the side, so it never looks like we are worshipping the offering. And with the holy family (Jesus is not out yet) leaning forward, it would look like they were kneeling before the offering plate. Not the message we want for Christmas!

I left soon after saying ‘hello and Merry Christmas’ to many, as I was tired from all the standing and hand-waving. Someone fell after the service, tripping over wires that should be under the floor (as many have pointed out), but was not injured. Ugh. So many things need to be ‘refreshed.’ But it is a lot of money, requires a lot of planning, and is challenging to execute.

At the house, I stopped over at the local gaming store, Aloha Guardian Games, and found a used copy of Tiny Epic Galaxies. Also, I was happy (despite the $79 price tag) to purchase the new Pandemic-based Lord of the Rings board game, which is so well rated. I learned from the store staff that they had a pile of copies (you cannot get the game online). I found one with a torn plastic (which few would buy).

The EV got me home without issue, I heated up the leftover Chinese-style food for lunch, and returned to my drive-to-tidy. I put on more Mary Beard and her videos on Rome while I folded laundry, and started to find the table under the pile of gaming, travel detritus, and Christmas gifts. It was an archaeological layer of untidy leftovers from various trips and gaming stuff tossed on top.

I did not need a trowel, but a box for some of the 3D models, and moved some boxes to another place. Not necessarily improving the overall tidiness of the house, but I am not ready to sort paint bottles and paintbrushes. Mary Beard covered much of Roman history while I was doing my dig. I found things going back to the two trips back to New Orleans, various business cards, and other at-the-time-thought-to-be-useful paper items. Recycling and trash were doubled.

I switched from Mary Beard to music videos on YouTube.

The table was found, some order restored, my projects made visible again (some figures I want to paint), and some stress relieved. The house disorder was impacting me, and I felt better. I stopped because I got tired, and my back started to hurt a bit.

I returned to my new board game, pulled off the plastic (making it now ‘used’ and not returnable), and found the instructions for assembling the printed cardboard Dark Lord dice tower, oh yes! The game storage is designed to allow for the dice tower to be stored in the game. Next time, should I ever do this again, I will use sanding sticks to make the pieces less tight, but I still managed to do minor damage and get it all together, often using considerable hand force to get the pieces to fit. It fit in the box when I tightened up a few bits. I extracted the rules after packing it all away.

I finished the night in my PJs, reading the much easier and more familiar Pandemic-style rules of The Lord of the Rings: Fate of the Fellowship board game. Pandemic, my first cooperative board game, is still a favorite and sits on my shelf, getting played once in a while. I have to admit I enjoy the Cthulhu version more, but that is just a matter of taste. This new LOTR game has expanded the threat engine of the original Pandemic and made it less predictable (which makes sense when you are not talking about virus simulations but Sauron’s forces). This update got rave reviews from Shut Up and Sit Down (here). The other surprise is that every player receives two different characters (or a group in the case of Sam & Frodo) to play, taking four actions for one and one action for the other.

As I only get War of the Rings, the massive game of LOTR war (hundred of dollars of investment) may be on the table once a year or less (there is a lot of dust on it), this game is faster and, while it must abstract some details that are lovely in War of the Rings (Saruman vs. Treebeard, for example), the clean and simple flow may make this its replacement. More to come.

I managed to sleep with thoughts of LOTR and games on my mind. I am sure, though I have no memory of it, that I played some round of board games in my dream world. Maybe Mom Wild joined me in the dream, and we again played Grandma Bailey and Joey in the card game Euchre and still beat them even when they cheated; we kept it tidy. One of my favorite memories is playing them in the RV as we headed to Montana back in the early 1980s, and Mom Wild and I beat them despite their little signals. They told us they were unbeatable.

Thanks for reading.

 

 

 

I rose at 7 after my alarm, but first I rolled over and rested for 30 minutes or more. Coffee was waiting for me as I had correctly set up the coffee pot the night before. I put my last load of clothing from the trip into The Machine, and a few hours later, my shirts will be on hangers and ready to use. I will check whether Beaverton Dry Cleaning boxes shirts for my next trip.

I wrote the blog for most of the morning, but managed a peanut butter toast and took my meds (always better with food) somewhere in the writing process. I spoke to Deborah for a while; we are trying to get back to morning and evening calls. Deborah was waiting for her new laundry. It was delivered, and the delivery folks, in a rush, did not tighten the hoses, and Deborah had a leak that they fixed on a quick return.

I can imagine Dad ‘talking’ to the drivers about proper testing and double-checking the hoses, always new for a new appliance, and natural gas lines. I only mention it because it reminded me of delivering laundry with Dad. Dad checked everything and ran everything, collected the warranty cards, filled them out for the customers, and mailed them from the store to ensure coverage. It is also where I learned how dollies and leverage worked. We delivered heavy things downstairs and had tools to remove doors if we needed. We surprised the customer by showing that we, not strong guys, managed to get their appliances delivered.

Returning to my story, I soon showered, shaved, and dressed. I reheated the wonton soup I had ordered the night before and had that for lunch. I watched another episode of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, and it reminded me of The Magicians, as it changed the story into a fairy tale. The ending and the whole story seemed forced to me, but still well done, and I was crying uncontrollably. Grief sneaks up on you sometimes.

I did the dishes and headed out to buy some groceries. I took Air VW the Gray to the local Market of Choice, as I wanted some cheeses and meats for a meal I was preparing. I find that a meal I make is often 1/4 the cost of a restaurant meal, less likely to cause me to gain weight, and frequently better. This is known to most folks, but I have to remind myself.

I talked to Amanda at the cheese counter, and she remembered me, but we both needed to be reminded of each other’s names. She found a locally made blue cheese that was expensive and a small batch ($18 for a slice), and an excellent hard cheese from France for 1/3 of that. Perfect. I had passed by the $40+ Château Graysac Médoc wine I used to drink in Maryland and Oregon when I could find it (it was a lot cheaper when I worked for the distributor). It is overpriced, but the 2015 is impossible to find, and it was rated 91 when new. Hmmm. Yes, I bought it this time (there is even a Kosher version!).

I got thick-cut pork chops, Italian-style sweet sausage, and a few basics. I got precooked chicken for $8, since raw ones were more expensive (the mystery of American grocery-store chicken). I got locally made potato salad and coleslaw to go with the chicken. I forgot coffee. I soon checked out, and my checker, a human, all but danced and threw the items in the air. It was quite a show.

I returned home and unloaded my goodies. I got eggnog despite the calorie count, as it is a favorite, especially with rum and nutmeg sprinkles. But I did resist that, for now, and had a small cup with dinner. With all the shopping done, I called Deborah, and we watched another episode of Matlock, the Kathy Bates version, in the new season. It is still great.

With the episode completed, I said good night to Deborah, boarded the EV, and headed to Richard’s house. I did call Deborah while I was driving. The traffic was heavy, and the going was slow, but I had just around an hour and arrived ten minutes before our 6PM play time. Kathleen was delayed about twenty minutes. We played the board game La Patisserie Rococo, a reworking of a favorite, Rococo, now about making desserts (instead of dresses).

The game turns, and the constraints seem easier than the original, and the theme feels more developed. Everyone, five of us (Laura and Chris finished out our regulars on Saturday, Richard, Kathleen, and me) liked the game, and Kathleen showed and stole the game with more than twenty points. I was fourth, but only two points behind Chris and less than ten behind Richard. Laura was only five points behind me.

Kathleen, as she often does, noticed that certain cards combine to create a point and money-generating patterns, an ‘Engine’ in game-speak. She thinned her hand as she added those. Next game, we’ll all be more like Kathleen!

I loved pretending to bake and display my desserts. I only understood some mechanics as we played. I look forward to another game next week. I am already tempted to buy this game.

I did not stay long, as it was a quick four hours of gaming. The game was intense and fun, and time went by unnoticed. The travel back to Beaverton was without incident.

I was soon home, crawled into bed, and likely dreamed of baking and of the people who are gone now. In the morning, I found the living room fan and light running, and Susie’s glass case light on. The house was dark when I went to bed. Sort of a reminder, I think, of a reminder ‘that it will be OK.’ I cried again, this time with relief, when I saw it.

Thanks for reading.

 

 

I am writing this Saturday, and Friday is a blur, and I am having trouble finding the focus to write today. Instead, I have paid bills and chased some hacker items. I use antivirus software on my Apple, and it has been detecting attempts to break into it lately. Not successful. Hmmm.

I am still tired and lost in the evening, as I am still jet-lagged and partially in the Easter Time Zone (-3 hours). I have also not gone grocery shopping, but I have enjoyed the salami-and-cheese sandwiches. I picked up cheese and salami before heading out for a week, and I keep the bread in the freezer. I have also started most of the Fruitcakes out into the world. I have sent them all ASAP, as in this world, who knows what might happen if I have them dated for Christmas delivery.

I have watched all my unreleased losses in my IRA with US Bank Wealth Management reversed; I cannot believe the amount of churn in the markets. It is plus or minus 5% in a month. Not a great sign for stability.

Another quarter goes by, and my dividends and interest are paid for one last time in 2025. And while not a tremendous amount now that I have enjoyed so many trips and adventures, I still have my money working for me. My dividend stocks are still paying better than CDs. And while I believe that rates should be 5% for a healthy economy (we are at about 4% and likely headed to 3.something%), others want cheap money and risk a recession and/or inflation, I prefer more stability.

For those who forget, stability means Wall Street has no reason to lay off people. That churn ends, and their fees vanish. Prices stabilize, and there is then downward pressure on insurance, utilities, and other monthly costs. No more claims that due to this or that, they must raise prices. Inflation ticks down. Meaning Wall Street does not make vast fees, and politicians are forced to consider balanced budgets and responsible government. It is not perfect, as existing discrimination often spirals out of control and other imbalances are not addressed (though, over time, with stability, they become blatant and are addressed), but it would create some clarity. Which is precisely what Wall Street, politicians, religious leaders, and other shouters of chaos do not want. Clarity and sunlight are not favored at this moment. I dream of stability.

Returning to the story, I rose later and missed the sunrise, which is often in our winter, just changing the sky from black to gray. I was happy that the coffee was ready. I had gotten the assembly right the night before and pushed the right button on the coffee maker for timed delivery at 7AM local.

I found my focus, wrote the blog, and started another load of my travel laundry. I spoke to Deborah a few times as she was getting new laundry delivered today. I managed to finish the blog, shower, dress, and do the laundry in The Machine. I made a quick sandwich and opened a can of baked beans (I bought a case of them, and I think after a year, I am now finishing them; though there is likely one can lost in the pantry that I will see two years after it expired; that is how pantries work).

I boarded Air VW the Gray and headed to the TriMet MAX station, and soon was reading on my phone and traveling to Portland. The city is dressed in lights, and, with the damp, it looks like a painting where the colors are suggested by a brushstroke. I exited the Library and walked through Teacher’s Park, which had a Winter Village with soap bubbles blowing into the air for snow.

I found the new entrance to the Portland Art Museum, which is now reopened following the rebuild. It is lovely, but it is still a limited collection. I walked, getting advice from the staff, from the top, and worked my way down.

I discovered I had forgotten that Friday was the tree lighting at the park that adjoins First United Methodist Church, and I planned to do that. Forgot to add it to my calendar! The usual excuse, how could that be now?

I quickened my walk through. I am a member; there is no charge to walk through, and I managed to get back to MAX quickly, so even my trip back was free. Did the whole trip for $2.80! I stopped by a shop and got some postcards of Portland.

I read a bit, but nodded off, and then just enjoyed the ride back. I got in the EV, crossed Beaverton, stopped at Winco for more apple products, and reached the church while the Methodists were setting up. I supplied three gallons for the hot cider giveaway.

Emmaus, the other church that shares our buildings, was set up, and they have a tent with their logo printed on it. I pointed out the nice tent to the Methodists; I want one for us with our logo. Soon we were giving out hot cider while Emaus was making hot chocolate. We handed out flyers and our schedule for the Christmas service. I had a lot of cups of cider, and we had coffee too. I was cold and missing my hat (I ordered new hats today).

I took a break and walked through the tents, where folks were selling holiday items. Sort of a version of a Christmas Market. But much reduced, as ICE raids in the area mean many folks are not signing up to sell, and the crowd was much smaller, and far fewer Spanish speakers are in the mix this year.

An Asian family sold me a Christmas Wreath and then could not swipe my credit card. I put the card numbers in for them, and that worked. I then placed the wreath on our table, and that added to the look. The wreath is now on my door at the house and looks marvelous.

The tree was lit and my colon, almost at the same time, and I was now having a conversation that involved a sudden possible movement. With the recent travel and the cancer shortened pathway, it is best to head home and stay there for a while. I managed to avoid any challenges. I said a few quick goodbyes, very quick.

Now feeling cold and uncomfortable, I ordered Chinese food for too much money and had it delivered. This is my go-to when not feeling well. I watched various YouTube videos on naval battles and history. Mary Beard on Rome is always recommended (as are her books).

I enjoyed the food; East Harbor does an excellent job. I watched some history, hung my shirts up from The Machine, did the dishes, and prepared the coffee machine for another morning. I then found my PJs and my bed and soon disappeared into various dreams of traveling and other dreamworld markets. All of it is faded now, but I was busy in my dreams, traveling and enjoying dream holidays and markets with family and friends, some of whom are now only in my dreams.

Thanks for reading.

 

 

Thursday had collected many tasks. I rose with my alarm, having slept well in my comfy bed and familiar blankets, but I was confused about what time it was when I woke. The air was only of moderate quality, and I could feel that. All day I was tired and dragging from the travel, the bad air, and the time change. I turned down Corwin’s and Mariah’s dinner and game invitations. Unusual for me, but it was hard to stay awake (it felt like I needed a nap in every time zone I visited).

Corwin, when I spoke to him later, when he stopped by to get his mail (he uses the house as his permanent address and package delivery). His business (window washing and garden work), his side job cleaning and cooking at a local restaurant, delivering food, and donating plasma is working. He has some money, no debt, and the biz is without debt. Also, giving up booze and beer and staying mostly clean (mushrooms and various other interesting edging options are still in use) has cleared his vision and made him reliable. He likes to work and get paid now. Corwin has passed through the fires of near death, Susie’s loss, and poverty to find a path that may work. I am proud of him. He is paying for his own insurance and working with my Allstate people. He hopes to be an Uber driver soon and maybe move into chauffeur work. Applause!

As always, the holidays bring back the faces and names of those we have lost. You look for them or hear them in your dreams: Susie, Dad, Joyce, Grandparents, Elric, Cory, Warren, and others whose names don’t come to me, but whose presence is still felt. It is good, but it hurts. Time to get out the eggnog from the fridge, remember all those you have drunk it with, smile, and enjoy the flavor. Maybe some rum to make it better. And perhaps a light dusting of nutmeg.

Thursday was a rush, returning to the accounting of my day. I started the blog, but I soon jumped into the shower, then remembered I spilled coffee on myself on my last day before travel, and the towel hadn’t been replaced. A cold, wet run gets a towel followed. With myself shaved, clean, and dressed, it was off to Aloha Dental for a cleaning and check. I had trouble breathing and not panicking at first, but that requires me to relax. I found my calm place, and Bo, the hygienist, knows how to just chat about travel and places to visit to keep the focus off the choking feeling of all the stuff in your mouth. Dr. Packam found nothing to fix, and we spent more time talking about Dungeons & Dragons than on my teeth. Perfect!

Back to the house and checking on laundry in progress. All good. My neighbors had put out my trash and recycling (their extra bags are welcome in my cans, as my trash output and recycling are less now). I had added some items on my return home (a few items in the fridge went to science experiments). The trash and recycling were being intermittently picked up on Thursday.

I continued with the blog and then boarded Air VW the Gray again. I crossed over into Beaverton and talked to the church folks on my phone and to Deborah, too. Deborah was having a good day at work and was happy. Excellent. Refresh at church has a minor issue. I started to handle it.

Lunch was at McMenamins Cedar Hills, and the waiters were happy to see us back on our regular visit. We did have beers (back to two a week for me), and I stuck with just a salad (enough food over the month, meaning I am back to lettuce-survival living). Scott and I caught up and talked about our travels, past and future. We both discussed selling our respective houses to ease the burden and reduce costs. Still, we agreed that keeping our homes and getting help with the annoying things makes more emotional sense, and the economic savings are nothing compared to the likely stress of buying and selling or of apartment living.

Later, I learned that Dr. Muge Dogan had been cut from Nike and that the board-level CTO position had been removed. While I don’t hold a grudge, it was Muge who shut down the SAP departments at Nike and eliminated the remote development centers her predecessor, Ratnakar Lavu, had started. This hurt lots of my friends. This would, from my viewpoint, be the last of former CEO John Donahoe’s team. It seems the new CEO, Elliot Hill, has hit the big reset button, returning Nike’s structure to something from the 1990s. Hmmm, the stock price is still in the 1990s, too!

At the house, I joined the Zoom call for the church SPRC committee (for those who do not speak Methodist, this is the HR committee), and we completed our work in 45 minutes. As the salary committee, we are responsible for various year-end processes, which have consumed much of our time over the last few months. All was good and quick.

With that done, Corwin stopped in, as I said above, and installed his new plates on his new car. He stayed for a while, and I offered to include him in the dinner I was making. I was too tired to do much more. He demurred and headed out to make more money. Good plan!

I watched the next episodes of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds and thought the show was sexy and bright, but the storyline felt obvious and poorly executed. If it continues this way, I won’t make it to the next season. More to say later (but I was tired, and I may be overly critical).

I used a water drip to defrost the two huge chicken thighs (boneless and skinless), mostly. I put some high-temperature oil in the glass baking dish, salted and peppered the chicken with enthusiasm, and painted the top of the thighs (after rolling them in the oil) with Dijon Mustard mixed with a bit of white cooking wine. I baked them for thirty minutes (which also finished the defrosting). I took them out of the glassware, added a sliced potato, some chopped garlic, and sliced onions (which I would skip next time), then returned the chicken to the top of that (I did toss the potatoes in the drippings before adding everything). This was a Barefoot Contessa recipe I saw on my flight (though just from memory with some changes). I baked for 30 more minutes; the chicken was well beyond done (175°F+), so I took it out, put it on a plate under a foil tent, set the oven to 450°F, and baked the potatoes for 15 minutes. This did not finish them. Ugh!

Next time, I will start with everything together, skip the onions, and return the chicken for five minutes to reheat it. Still, the hint of mustard, salt, and pepper was excellent for the chicken. The potatoes were mostly cooked. Next time! And look, an American recipe without cheese!

I watched Heavy Metal 2000, as I had watched the old one on my trip. It was about the same as the last one, and is poorly rated, but I liked it ($3.99 rental on AppleTV). I got my T-shirts done and have three loads to go to finish all my laundry. I will continue on Friday.

Tired, sleepy, and wanting my bed, I put on my PJs and soon joined the night, traveling somewhere in my dream world. Not sure where, my memory fades, but I suspect there was coffee, beer, used bookstores, games, and friends and family.

Thanks for reading!