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The big event was the check-in with the physical therapy that happened at 11ish this morning. We spent a few hours going over Susie’s health, what equipment we have, and if the house is safe for Susie–it is. For example, we have a shower chair and a hand unit for one of our showers, and an emergency push button she wears all the time. I have also moved the furniture out of the way, now Susie has a clear path with her walker.

I felt that Bill, from Legacy and a Physical Therapist, expected Susie in much worse shape. The questions covered problems we are glad not to have. The stroke was not in the higher brain function but was in what we can call wiring in the lower brain. This means that Susie cannot get her leg to move sometimes, but only her leg walking movement is impacted. Susie does not have the typical loss of function from a higher-function right-side stroke.

Please understand that I have had to help here and there as she gets suddenly tired or is not moving well. I try to have her do everything until she can’t or gets stuck, and I need to come and help her. The risk is that when she is stuck, she is getting weaker as she is practically walking and standing on one working leg. I need to get there before she falls. We have had no close calls–I am paying close attention.

Now that they have done the initial assessment and officially declared that Susie could be helped by their therapy, we will see PT twice a week and some occupational therapy. That is the first step in a journey we have begun. Tomorrow is the meeting with Susie’s primary doctor, and we hope to get the paperwork for my paid leave from the doctor so I can continue that part of the journey forward.

Starting from the beginning, I was up about 7ish as I was tired from yesterday. I did less cleaning today, but I did get things ready for the PT folks. The leather couch was half-cleared off and clean. The bathrooms and showers, while not sparkling (yet), are clean enough. The toilets and sinks are all good. Most of the items were off the floor except in the room where I work. That is still a wreck. I am piling more stuff there as I have to find a home for the various items or, as is happening a lot, it will go away–especially if it is a magazine (even the lovely model building and wargaming miniature zines that I often can’t resist, sniff). Most, if not all, of the information, is now online; I need to get digital.

I made pecan scones this morning. I was out of milk so I used cream instead. Yes, on the strange world of Covid-19 I have cream and not milk. They turned out quite nice, very moist. This is one of mixes from King Arthur Flour.

I had the groceries delivered today from Safeway.com. All the normal supplies. I put them away. Now I have milk!

I had two hot dogs in buns cooked in the microwave with just yellow mustard—one of my comfort foods. Susie had cereal and yogurt.

Susie received flowers from my mother and sister today. Susie is surrounded by flowers. She loves flowers. When we were in college, I would get her a single rose often daily. We grow lots of roses now.

Susie and went for a drive after the PT in Air Volvo. We both wanted out of the house, but with infection rates Covid-19 exploding, we just drove around the Beaverton Area for a few hours. It was nice to just chat and look, and I got to drive Air Volvo.

I almost did not get off my street. There are cars packed on both sides in one place near the entrance to our road. My neighbors came too fast on to our street and then had to pull over rather suddenly to avoid a low-speed head-on crash with Air Volvo. A large pickup followed. We could have done a famous Oregon low-speed three-car pile-up, but I stopped quick as I saw it happening, and the pick-up had room on 209th to stop. I, being a good neighbor, smiled and waved at them. Susie had other words for them but managed to avoid any hand movements that would belie our friendliness.

Dinner was at our local Taco Bell. I was surprised that they had people standing out in the rain and taking orders. The order takers had a flip chart with the items available, and you just order from a human standing in our Oregon weather–very strange. I was also told that the Mexican Pizza (which is neither, but I liked it) is no longer served. I got a burrito and a taco. Susie had three tacos (she kept on back and had it for a snack later in the evening). We ate them in the Air Volvo and watched the sunset in the Taco Bell parking lot; why not?

I tried to clean-up the fireside room where I work now. The shelves in the old bookcase suddenly tipped-over, dumping the books shelves and what-not on the shelf and leaving me a bit shocked. I decided that I am out of focus and will try again tomorrow. It is now worse than I started.

I moved on to my Kickstarter after having books raining on me (head shaking). I have a new board game, Cleopatra and the Society of Architect, that was delivered yesterday, and it needed some work. It comes with magnets to help hold the palace and temple you literally build in the game. I have to install them. I managed to get most of the magnets oriented right, except for two. After breaking two blades and nearly gluing the magnets to my fingers, I managed to get everything to work. There is a poor quality instruction video on this. I assembled the temple and palace and showed it to Susie. It looks amazing. I will try to play a game tomorrow and gets some photos.

I also received another Kickstarter project today. Architects of the West Kingdom is a newish worker placement game and resource management game, and Meeple Source created painted little wooden two-dimensional workers and artisans for the game. The painted meeples, both in images of men and women doing choirs, were a bit expensive, but we play this game often, and the more human look to the meeples will help the players feel the medieval theme stronger. I find the more abstract the tokens and pieces in a game, the less I feel the theme, and I often lose track of the theme. It just becomes a math problem or engine building experience for me. And maybe now Evan will feel guilty for arresting my nice little guy and gals (not a chance)…

More than thirteen hundred people died from Covid-19 today in the USA.

I went with Amazing Grace as there are some new versions, and I went with the Pentatonix video.

Today finished with Mariah visiting and eating lasagna from Zorida (she sent dinner to us) watching the Monday Night NFL Football while having a glass of Purple Cow wine. The Patriots saved the game in the last three seconds with a long field goal. We thought the Patriots had robbed the Jets who played better for most of the game.

Before this, I vacuumed and cleaned and organized my too many books in our bedroom. I managed to get all the stacks of books off the floor (some still hidden under the bed). Some books are just moved to another messy place in the house, but I have hope to find more books in those areas that I do not wish to keep. This will reduce the volume and solve the problem, I hope.

I also cleaned the bathroom today. It was well, not clean. I purchased cleaning supplies on Amazon, and the brushes and cleaner came today, which I employed to clean the shower and toilet. The scrubbing in the shower got me soaked. It is getting better.

Corwin vacuumed the rest of the house. I did more laundry.

I also received a new board game from Kickstarter today. This game, Cleopatra and the Society of Architects was produced by a Kickstarter project that started before Covid-19 and was delivered today. It was manufactured in China and shipped from New Jersey, completely ready to be mailed. This is the deluxe version.

Cleopatra and the Society of Architects board game is a rework of the previous out-of-print game by the same name. This version has pre-painted structures that you assemble with the other players into the wondrous palace and temple for Cleopatra. It is one of the few 3-D board games. It is a resource management game with a twist that you can accept corruption to get an advantage, but you have to be careful not to take too much and lose the game (you are fed to the crocodiles). I got it as the temple, and other neat Egyptian items would still work for some of my tabletop miniature games. It looks fun.

Susie was up and dressed and headed off to Zerida for hair, skin, nails, etc. She does every Monday at 9:20ish. Even with the stroke, we wanted Susie to try to do those things she usually did to help her recover. Off to enjoy some treatments!

I started today at 7:30ish and contacted Nike and updated my time off information. I received paperwork for my extended paid leave request–an email from the insurance company that handles these types of claims. The policy is for 8 weeks at Nike (I was looking for just four). I then wrote a letter to Susie’s doctor and attached the paperwork. I drove this to the doctor’s office. I also scheduled an appointment with the same doctor on Wednesday. I am hoping we can get the paperwork all done in the next few days.

I then had lunch at Panera and stopped by Office Depot to get some folders and cleaning items. I also went to Powell’s and bought some books, including Charles Stross’s newest book: Dead Lies Dreaming. I found a five-book set of European medieval history for a lot less than what I saw before that I added to my history collection. So I made my too many book problem just a little bit worse.

I no longer buy books unless I feel the physical book will help. I find it impossible to read footnote on a Kindle, for example. For history and technical reading, I still buy a book. In the case of Charles Stross I get physical copies–it fits with the subject.

Today, in the USA we lost more than six hundred forty people to the virus.

Not a prayer or hymn today, but one of Susie fav: Nessum dorma.

Susie was up about every two to three hours to use the rest room. She did not need my help in the night.

Susie later needed help when getting dressed as she was unable to move. Her right leg just would not move then. She became so weak she was nearly falling. I picked her up and put her on the walker chair as it was nearby. Susie finished getting dressed, and I wheeled her to the living room. She was then OK and moved fine. The stroke damage comes and goes, and that is normal but frustrating.

I cleaned our shower and toilet. I did the dishes, swept some of the floors, and continue to try to make everything safer. We moved Susie’s cedar chest out of the bedroom so she would have more room for her walker.

Today started at about 5:30AM. I had broken out in a rash and got some Benedryl and then slept into 9:30ish. I have broken out again this evening and took some more. It is a reaction to fall and stress. It will pass.

I made hot dogs for lunch using the microwave and made Susie Eggo Waffles with peanut butter. I read and cleaned and helped Susie for the afternoon.

I like this video that describes the Lockdown.

I also talked to the Smiths and we are going to try to do a watching party for Hamilton. Da da da da…

We meant Mariah at the local Mexican Restaurant to celebrate the new President with Margaritas and Mexican Food. Our waiter was pleased that we came to celebrate with them. She is happy with the election results. I had a flan too. Susie had trouble walking, she only had ice tea, and I wheeled her to the car. She was able to walk when we got home again.

I finished Seven of Infinities by Aliette de Bodard today. It is a novelette. It was wonderful.

Archana from India, a coworker, called to see how we are. I was glad to hear from her. Archana works for Nike as an Employee living in Bangalore.

I ordered more brushes and cleaning supplies to finish the bathroom cleaning from Amazon.

Today more than five-hundred people in the USA died today from the virus.

I picked a mix of one hymn in Spanish and English: Santo Santo Santo – Holy Holy Holy. Methodist Hymnal #64 and #65.

Today Susie went to Mox Boarding House in Portland, Oregon, and played Scooby Doo’s Betrayal at Mystery Mansion. The staff was happy to finally meet Mrs. Wild. They have seen Evan and me there most weekends from the opening day. We had a late lunch and dessert.

Susie used her walker to get from the car to the Mox, a long-distance for her. She used the chair in the walker, and I pushed her the rest of the way in the store. The longest she has walked in a while and a long walk for her after the stroke. You can see her struggle to move the right leg, but it was doing better this afternoon.

Tatyana and Marlyn were our bartender and waiter, respectively, in the afternoon. They were so happy to see Susie and to serve Evan, Susan, and me. I have mentioned Susie before, and they were finally happy to meet her.

Tatyana and Marlyn’s shift ended, they are the morning bunch, and a new guy Charles got us dessert. I pay the morning tab for Tatyana and Marlyn and a new tab for the late guys with dessert and coffee, usually. I like to give out tips to both folks.

We headed home about 6ish. Portland was quiet for us.

But, Portland exploded with noise this morning when Biden was declared President-elect. The riots were replaced with dancing and music. Our Darth Vader, unicycle riding, kilted, and bagpiper player was circling the streets playing This Land is Your Land. Last I saw, they are still dancing in Portland in Pioneer Place. It is a weird place, and I like it here.

Susie’s morning was languid. I had to help her get moving and to be safe. Getting ready for Mox was slow, and we rescheduled with Evan to be there an hour later. Strokes are like that. The ability to move will come and go. We will just keep moving.

I also received a new book today, Seven of Infinities by Aliette de Bodard. She is one of my favs and this is a novelette. The book is signed by her and limited to a special 1500 numbered printing from Subterranean Press of Burton, Michigan. There is a kindle version that is not limited if you want to read it.

I was thinking of my father and grandfather today. I got out a bun and put in a cold hot dog into the bun. I then rolled it up in a single sheet of paper towel just like I remember they did in all those microwave demonstrations so very long ago. I set the microwave for thirty seconds, put the bundle in the center of the microwave, closed it, and then started the machine. A moment later, after that loud humming, I then pulled out a cooked hot dog with a now steamed bun. Even the smell was the same from forty years ago. I put on some plain yellow mustard and enjoyed a memory. Exactly the same every time.

Don’t get me wrong, I am so glad I went into computers and not sales! But, once and a while, I slide back to these days when a microwave was a big sale. I remember making a hot dog and having the customer watch as a little kid cooked lunch for him and his sister. Nobody stopped us from this and likely encouraged us. We likely sold a few ourselves without trying. We just wanted lunch.

My 401K is now showing an 11%+ growth rate for this terrible year of 2020.

Today, in the USA, the reports show more than one-thousand thirty people passed away from the virus. The infection rate continues to explode. I was told that Mox and other Portland-based businesses will be more locked-down next week.

I went with This Land is Your Land as I was inspired by our own unicycle bag pipe player.

I put in a leave request and was on paid-time-off as I cared for Susie today.

I started again about 6ish as I had to email my boss and colleagues at Nike that I was out again today. I tried to go slow and clean-up a few things and help Susie.

Susie is walking slower, and I stayed with her all day. She is afraid to be left alone in the house now. I cleared off the floor and picked up a bit today. I will do more each day.

I add chili from a can for lunch. Susie was up about 11ish. I had to do laundry and dishes. Susie had oatmeal to start. She is starting new meds, I am being watchful.

I got the bed remade and read for a bit and finished a book I did not care for, The Doors of Eden. It is not bad for SciFi to read as the story swings from being told by one person and then another.

I spoke to Evan and we agreed to meet with Susie at Mox around noonish. I will bring the Scooby-doo Betrayal at Mystery Mansion board game. I have just started finished the figures for it.

I left them cartoon bright. I painted the base to match the color in the game assigned to the meddling kid. We will also have Architects of the West Kingdom to play.

I baked potatoes for dinner. I fried bacon. I then broke up the bacon over the cooked split potatoes and covered well with shredded cheddar cheese. Just add a spoonful of sour cream. Susie like it, she had two potatoes.

I discovered a new series to watch on Prime: Truth Seekers. It is a cable guy that also investigates ghosts. This time he starts to find them, and they are not friendly! So far, it has been fun–I watched three episodes so far. The Hunt series is also good, but it is very dark, and I wanted something lighter. The Truth Seekers is a bit on the horror side.

Today it was reported that more than twelve-hundred people died from the virus in the USA.

I have done this song a lot, but it just seemed to be the right song: Lift Every Voice and Sing with all the counting.