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I woke again with the early 5-6 a.m. sunrise and rolled over, feeling tired, and rose closer to 8 than 7. I found the office, and the coffee was made an hour before I started on Tuesday by a timer. It was still good. Yes, I am still drinking liberal, fair-trade coffee from Equal Exchange, which is sent from their warehouse in Portland, Oregon. It is as local as coffee gets here in Blue of Blue Oregon, the Greater Portland Area. Yes, every morning since Trump was elected the first time, I have liberal coffee. I can recommend the bitterness that reminds you of all that is yet to be finished in this world: Bringing forth Justice with Compassion, Love of Community, and Hope. I also point out that the coffee makes me sharper, and after seeing what Washington is producing, the world needs a little more attention to detail (besides Justice). Yikes (did anyone read that bill, 940 pages published less than 24 hours before it was voted on?)!

And I try to keep politics out of this blog, but I consistently record my thoughts and feelings. Being liberal, the context will include some light politics. I am not trying to convert anyone (though I would, if I could) or criticize their views here; instead, I am recording my thoughts and feelings from a day.

Continuing with more explanations, I did receive a quibble about why I include my “proof of hydration” in my blog. I have diabetes (controlled, and my A1C is down to 5.2), and I discovered how many people are up and down all night, like me. I share that I, too, have that problem and how happy I am to sleep, like last night, a night without rising at 2 or 4 just to “prove hydration” again. Additionally, most of Susie’s falls in the house occurred when she got out of bed to use the restroom. There were at least two bad falls that required ER trips for Susie. If I can’t sleep for but a few hours at a time, I find it makes me depressed, tired, and confused. I know it damaged Susie’s quality of life. Coffee is my drug to fight this, but sleep is much better. It is part of my life trying to control diabetes, cancer, brain tumors, and trying (praying) for sleep.

I was reviewing church materials when I received a call from the LG repair team. It was a person with a strong accent informing me that the repair person was not coming and I needed to reschedule. I had canceled my game at Richard’s for the repair. I was not happy, but the person on the phone was not there to listen to my anger; they were there to reschedule. The only day is over my other planned day for the week. Thus, Scott W and I moved our lunch to Wednesday to allow for a Thursday morning/afternoon repair. Rescheduled with a note not to cancel this one. Hmmm.

I boarded Air VW the Gray after getting showered, shaved, and all of that. I had watched some Murderbot episodes on Apple+ before this, a book series I enjoyed (though I stopped after the third book as it was getting repetitive for me), which is now a TV series. The season is just the first book, and each episode is short. It was hard to binge the show. It is less funny than the books and more cynical, but I like it. The show has created entertainment videos that are only mentioned in the book, serving as a sort of mixed-up subplot. Recommended, but an acquired taste, I think.

I parked in the hot sun as all the shaded parking on the streets of Beaverton was already filled. I walked to Breakside and found some uncooked spicy tuna in a bowl to go with a beer. The cart that supplied my lunch was in the sun, and the cook/vendor was grumpy (or melting), but my food was great. I sat inside in the AC at the bar and ate and used my laptop to work on more church items.

I stopped at the church after lunch and visited with Wendy, the church administrator, to review the samples for the refresh of the entrance way and fireside room. Sadly, none of the materials and samples were marked as the approved version. Whatever was approved was not recorded. Also, I am unsure if any of these samples were reviewed and approved. Hmmm.

I spoke with Dondrea and Pastor Ken, and there appears to be no record of what was approved. I will just find something that matches the drawings and use that. I stopped by the gaming store, learned that one of the staff I used to chat with has left the store’s employment, and bought a new board game, Ticket to Ride: London, Days of Wonder. This is a 1960s version of London with a light Ticket to Ride system. A perfectly light game, and I loved the cover featuring the original Avengers, John Lennon, and a young QE2.

At the house, I watched more Murderbot and made dinner. I defrosted a pack of skinless and boneless chicken thighs using the sun outside. I microwaved a large potato, steamed (oversteamed) some asparagus, and then used the new spices I purchased in Asheville and fried the spice-covered chicken in a pan (it was too hot to bake). I made a pan gravy from the browned bits. More Murderbot while eating my delicious dinner (except for the mushy asparagus).

Next, I headed to Office Depot and spent some money to get 11×17 full-color copies of the refreshed vision for the fireside and entrance way of the church. I find that handout work is better suited for a church group. Physical paper is reassuring to people as they age; it is more real, and they feel respected and seen when you hand them something. They might not even look at it. The printing, not cheap, is in color and will take the printer all night to produce.

With that in process, I stopped at Salt and Straw and tried their Strawberry and Pretzel Salad ice cream. It was good, with a more pronounced cheesecake flavor and a hint of pretzels. Whole bits of salted pretzels really worked. The dancing fountain was off, and everyone was in the area. My inner 12-year-old wanted to find the controls and turn the fountain back on, but I resisted and acted my age. But it would have been epic!

With regret for not causing any mischief, I was soon home via the EV and did the dishes, read the rules for the new game, and played Welcome To…, another game I just got from James, on Wednesday at the church. I was tired, too many flights and hotels over the last four weeks, and soon was in my PJs and managed to sleep the night through. My dreams were again forgotten, but I think they involved mischief as I woke happy and ready to consider some political writing.

Thanks for reading.

Aside: I am considering starting a blog with a name like BlueAlohawild.me, which will focus on politics. I find that I cannot sit idly while Trump cuts off food aid to state after-school programs (a George Bush program) and help to learn English.  More to come. I am looking at the Ghost platform for that, though WordPress (what this blog is composed with) is my current platform.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I woke with the sun and finally rose after 7. The coffee was ready. I had not been shopping, so I just had coffee this morning. I wrote the blog about my travels to get home. The memory was still fresh, and 1,300+ words were for Saturday’s story. The church service was at 11, and I was done. I dressed in a dress shirt, a Pride tie, a cold, sparkly vest, a pocket watch, and a top hat to celebrate Pride Day in Beaverton. I got out a Pride Flag, brought a Pride Celebration flag if we needed it, and boarded Air VW the Gray. It felt so much better to drive an EV than a gasoline car (sorry for you gearheads, it is sooooo smoooooth), and soon I was parking five blocks away. The police allowed the church folks to have seven parking spaces inside the park area and parking that was closed off for the party. I did not want to take one as I could walk.

I carried the flags and fit right in with the crowd. One of my suspender clips was gone, and a kind person pointed that out. I fixed it. I arrived at the church without any more wardrobe failures. I spoke to the police and identified myself as the usher for the service, and thanked the police for their help. I wanted them to know me in case something went wrong; the USA is no longer as safe as it once was at events like this. I was watchful through the service and had more coffee. The hours of travel were taking a toll on me.

Dondrea, worship leader, Pastor Ken, and our usual AV crew were in place (Michael R. and Seth, but missing Shawn). Dondrea was tired too, having been traveling for work for a week. The service was lightly attended as access to the church was limited. I wish we had better connected with the Pride crowd, but I opened the doors and talked to the vendors nearby, and that seemed to help a bit. We were still not connected to the activities, but next year we can see if we can improve this.

Pastor Ken talked about the disciples of Jesus and how they did not get what they wanted, sometimes being a jarring discovery like hitting a speedbump with too much acceleration, but instead got what was actually needed. Thomas, the Doubter, is said to have ended his life in India, where he founded the still-existing Christian movement. John, instead of being a great leader, spends his life with Mary, the mother of Jesus, and is not martyred like the rest. Paul was a prosecutor of the new Christian movement until he was forced down a different path. We often try to set the direction of our lives, but God (or the universe) takes us down a different path, like Thomas and John. We have to be ready to serve, but not on our terms.

With that done, and no issues as an usher, I left and then took twenty minutes to find the EV. I took it home, changed clothing, and ate my three-piece Popeye’s chicken with two sides. Despite my Amazon account being blocked, my cable works. I watched Poker Face’s second season and thought it quite good.

I then spent an hour upgrading my Dungeons and Dragons 2024 Sorcerer to 3rd level. This took more time than I expected. These magical characters have many moving parts, and they all start to work on the 3rd level. With ten pages of notes, I finished updating my character. I rested after that.

I picked up veggies and some bread on the way back to church. This included some watermelon radishes. I sliced them and brought them to D&D. It matched my sorcerer, who is aberrant. These looked weird when sliced long.

I arrived at Matt’s place. He and his lovely wife, Nicky, were just back from a trip to Iceland and Europe. I saw the photos on Facebook. I brought Matt coffee from the Blue Ridge Parkway. Jack, Karyn’s son, was playing in place of Scott, and he brought a paladin to play. We have a holy fighter tank. We changed tactics with the first bunch of zombies being surprisingly difficult to put down (“brains!”). With some resting, we continued on and used a combination of our rogue/assassin sneaking ahead of the loud and bright paladin in the undead-infested tomb. Yes, we used him as bait (fishing for undead), but it let the rogue/assassin act.

I would like to tell more of our adventures, but this is published material, and others are also playing Matt’s version. We managed to overcome, with a paladin, the undead and received a boon. As a trained writer (forger), I did provide documents that supported our actions and inspired our paladin to even greater glory. It was a fun night, and Jack was excited.

With the game over, I headed home and soon was resting. It will be a hot morning, and I have to use a laundry mat and call for the repairs of The Machine. I was hoping, like last time, they would call.

I slept all night again. Mostly, my dreams are forgotten, but I know we fought more undead in the tomb with Jack’s bright paladin in my dreams. Thanks for reading!

 

 

I rose without any issues and had slept once I got to sleep. I had trouble falling asleep; the first time I had that, but I was not surprised, as two of my days on the trip, a four-day trip, started at 2 am. I woke with the sunrise at 6 and was up, showering and all that by 6:30. I was repacked by 7ish and checked out of the hotel, and then enjoyed the industrial and complimentary breakfast. A dad was helping his daughter to breakfast and showed the little person how to make waffles. Then, he doused the hot waffles with syrup and even added colorful sprinkles. “Don’t tell Mom how much sugar I gave you,” I hear him say. She ate it all. I continued to write the blog for an hour. Dad was back with another sleepy little person and smiled at me as I laughed.

I finished the blog and got three cups of coffee inside me, including one I made in the room. I missed Deborah, as we always enjoyed the room’s coffee machine on all these trips. Today, just coffee for one.

Aside: Headed to Detroit and then Iceland with Deborah next week, so “don’t cry for me, Dear Readers.”

With food inside me and fueled with lots of coffee, I boarded Air Ford Bronco, bags loaded and double-checked that everything was in the bags, and soon found the tourist or shopping area in Asheville. I located the post office and the parking lot I saw on the map and parked there. It is a garage and would keep the cargo cool. I did not want to bake my bags and computer!

The area was still sleepy, as it was not yet 10. I walked and found the start of the Saturday Fair, and with the few tourists, locals, and cars, I was able to take great photos. I found a few items in my shopping. I try to find unique items as I don’t want to buy something I can see (without sales tax) in Oregon. I purchased some likely overpriced spices from a nice store, The Spice and Tea Exchange, which is actually a chain (but the manager said each location is independently owned — so really local). They had recipe cards, and I purchased the cookie mix that matched the recipe card, along with some other gifts for Christmas (I always think of the next Christmas when shopping).

I found a bookstore, Malaprop’s Bookstore, open, and discovered some unique items among their new and used books. I resisted the books as I wanted to walk more than browse today. I think I have found the perfect gift for Pastor Ken. No spoilers here!

I met a street Magician, The Amazing Akarion, whom I gave a dollar, and he then did an excellent version of a trick I had seen before. His execution was nearly perfect, and we discussed magic briefly. He is a student getting some pocket money and studying Meteorology. I told him street magic and weather forecasting were a good match. We took a picture and I sent it to him.

Things started to come alive, and I found that the art gallery was now open. I met a nice couple there and lost the card with their names on it. I should take a picture of the card when I get it–my mistake. I hope (if they are reading) they forgive me for that. The watercolors were terrific, and the oils were a mix of modern and older styles. Nice!

Gene and Glenda traveled downtown and then had trouble finding my parking garage. I saw them, hopped in, and we parked. The ladder truck and other emergency equipment were in the area as a homeless person who had taken ill was being transported. The emergency trucks cleared out as we walked to have lunch.

My first choice was full, so we tried Jerusalem Cafe, and my breakfast-for-lunch selection —a North African-style dish —was terrific. It was more than I could eat. Gene and Glenda had gyro-style wraps. I was avoiding salads as sometimes I react to them, and a flying day is not a day to take risks!

We said goodbye and promised to meet next at another funeral! I drove to the other side of Asheville and found a gas station. I managed, despite being from a full-service state and driving now an EV, to fuel the Ford. It was an independent gas station and did not appear on my digital map (corporations are obviously being paid to include gas stations on my map — f**k). I just found it. With that done, I used Nav to locate the Asheville Regional Airport, which, not surprisingly, is not in Asheville. I then drove by the entrance and found the rental car location, and then turned my Bronco in. The friendly gal decided not to charge me for the extra two hours (having racked in 50 hours). There were no printing stations with a tag and drop area, and I had to line up with everyone. My bag was checked ($35), and I found my gate after clearing security without any issues. I had loaded all my purchases (except the coffee) into my checked bag.

The gate requires you to walk outside (90F and sticky) and then return to the original terminal. They are reconstructing the airport (like most airports I use), and this crazy process is currently in use.

The rest of the trip consists of the usual waiting and charging devices, and then on planes. I’ve drained my phone’s battery. The first plane was tiny, and it was a one-hour trip to Charlotte, followed by a long walk to the next gate. I was 6 minutes before boarding when I finished the long walk (twenty minutes with a hydration stop) and walked over to buy a sandwich stuffed with sliced turkey and cheese. The plane was then delayed for fifteen minutes.

I boarded, found my window seat, and watched two movies. Snow White from Disney, which is live action (sort of with computer-generated dwarves), and there are new dance scenes and songs. It was an over-made TV version, I thought. Next, as I had more than five hours, I watched the latest animated Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim. This is a dark story, and I thought it was well done. The scenes, colors, and art matched the LOTR movies, and I enjoyed it. I did eat my sandwich, one half for each movie. My tummy wanted food, and it was good to bring food on the plane.

I took a long walk, covering over 12,000 steps today, and found my bags before getting on the MAX. I took the hour+ trip back home. Corwin picked me up at the station and took me the last few miles. On the train, it was quiet until we hit Portland, and a concert was ending, and the train was packed full of happy and provocatively dressed concert goers.

One person told me to consider the Holiday Inn at PDX to park-and-go. It is cheap and easy, I was told. A person noticed my Nike biz card still in my bag. She still works for Nike, and we talked about our experiences, learning that she was in a business section I knew, and I knew the same people. She was happy to see me happily retired.

With all of that, Corwin showed me the cleaned windows. He has a new window washing, gutter, and other services biz. I am his first customer. They look better!

I was tired and just stacked the bags for later, took my meds, found my PJs, and crawled into my bed. I was soon asleep and did not wake. Though not remembered, I think my dream adventures were pleasant, and I might have met old friends and family on a few dream flights where every seat is First Class.

Thanks for reading.

 

 

 

 

 

I woke with my alarm at 6, and that was not happening. Ugh! After 7, I finally got out of bed, found the shower (it had not moved, but I had been in so many different hotels in a week that I got mixed up), and soon was dressed and had the excellent though industrial complimentary breakfast in the lobby. There, I wrote the blog of my travels and Joyce’s Celebration of Life. It was not without tears and smiles as I wrote it.

I finished in time to find the new rental Air Ford Bronco. It is gas-powered and runs roughly. Additionally, the parking brake mistakenly engages and disengages when the vehicle is in reverse, which is not particularly helpful and likely an undocumented feature of the reverse gear. I had to have that fixed once on the Volvo.

I found the Brooks-Howell Methodist Retirement Home using Nav on my phone. Soon, I connected with Gene (Susie’s uncle) and we headed with 20+ folks from the home for lunch. I drove Gene and used Nav on my phone; the Ford does not offer that, nor a connection to my iPhone that I have made work. To be fair, the trip has been too exhausting to try to make it work.

Lunch was at a what we would call an Italian-Greek fusion place in Oregon, Bellagio Bistro in Asheville, and I had the gyro (as did Gene). It was good. It came with a small Greek salad. We chatted about a few trips and enjoyed the company.

Gene and I returned the Brooks-Howell, and I received a note from a friend with a perfectly matching signature, stating that they had trouble getting some DoorDash Cards to someone. I ordered them, but then my Amazon account got locked. Hmmm. It was a criminal process, commonly referred to as social engineering in hacking. They wanted to “pay me back” by sending money to my accounts and thus get access to my account. I was unable to unlock the account on my Amazon account, and, likely, the few hundred dollars never reached Amazon or the criminals. But it was a reminder that the criminals. It was compelling until the “pay-you-back” part started. Glenda thought it was a criminal mess, but I was not convinced, at first, as the names and signature lines were a perfect match. Ugh!

This is the hook. Delete this. Look for a request to make a payment and repayment, and a short deadline. It fooled me because it was signed perfectly like someone I know. I did not see the email had changed; otherwise, it matched someone I know. Yikes!

Returning to more fun items…

Gene and Glenda had finished some more steps for Joyce’s estate, and then we decided to try the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway. We took my rental and soon crossed the traffic of late Friday in Asheville to the road. We stopped first at the nearby Visitor Center. I found some postcards and a few other things there to take home. We discovered that the road is still mostly closed from the hurricane damage; we had covered 15 miles. The only part available nearby.

I have driven the Virginia section of the same roadway years ago. We enjoyed a pleasant trip and stopped at a craft center where I got some cards. We stopped at the French Broad River overlook, and the road was closed after that. The view was breathtaking, and so was the huge thunderstorm headed towards us!

I am sorry to see the Blue Ridge Parkway closed. It would be an incredible drive. Let’s hope it will return soon.

There was a man using a drone to photograph the river. There was a threat of a thunderstorm, but the wind was quiet and the sun still bright. Near perfect for drone work.

We headed to Stone Ridge via a back-roads path that closely retraced our route on the Parkway. We found easy parking, and there was a table open. The place was loud, but the food was good, and our waiter was helpful. Gene had the ribs, Glenda had trout, and I had the Atlantic salmon. All was good. Gene and Glenda had leftovers for another day.

I returned Gene and Glenda to their house at Brooks-Howell and then missed my exit, taking an indirect route back to my hotel that included a few 10 mph curves. Hmmm.

At my hotel, I rested and soon woke up a few hours later. I had missed saying goodnight to Deborah. I did write a postcard to Mom Wild and took it down to the desk to get it mailed. I checked into my flight on Saturday, and my car return time is 2 p.m.

I then wrote the blog as I wanted to get it done to make the travel day, tomorrow a little simpler.

Thanks for reading. And be careful with those emails!

The goal for Thursday, starting in Dallas, Texas (Joyce’s home state), was to arrive in Asheville, NC, in time for the Celebration of Life service at 3:00 at the Brooks-Howell Methodist home. Yesterday, the bad weather cancelled flights, and I was stuck in Dallas. But I met a friendly staff at the Wingate and had a great burger at the hotel (AA paying the first $12 of it). One has to accept “The Unexpected.”

Another 2 wake up. I set two alarms and woke with the first. I had managed to sleep in yet-another-time-zone (YATZ). I showered and reassembled my few items. I travel with spare underwear, meds, shaving supplies, and so on, for just these possibilities. I did not have another pair of pants or shirt (I usually pack a set, but this was a short trip and I had enough), but I was comfortable in what I had.

In the lobby, I waited for the late shuttle, which was packed with folks when it arrived five minutes late. Dahlia was next to me. A woman I saw the night before was also coming from Portland. We exchanged names and stories as we traveled back to the airport. We arrived and discovered this huge line for security, but then we walked over to another area, and there was no line. We entered and performed the usual rituals. We agreed to split up and meet again at the gate. This time, nothing was detected in my bag. I reassembled and did not see Dahlia, and headed to the gate. The seating was limited, as many people were sleeping at the gate. It was a challenging night for travelers, and many were unable to stay in hotels. I found a seat next to someone sleeping and quietly read things on my phone. Dahlia showed up later and found a seat. We would meet again in Chicago. Soon, the gate folks appeared, and I checked that I was where I was supposed to be and that my bag (still checked) was expected to follow me. Yes, it was. I had paid just under $17 extra to have a middle seat near the front, allowing for easy deplaning and reaching my connection.

I tipped my hat to Dahlia when she got on the plane in the last group. I watched the wonderfully made propaganda piece of the Becoming Led Zeppelin film, which covered all the glory and none of the hardship, and glossed over the sex and drugs. Still, it was a fun movie and fit the two-hour slot. I watched it on my iPhone using my JBL headphones and started before the plane took off. I recommend the film, but it is not an impartial journalistic work.

My plane in Chicago made a gate change before I arrived, which actually made the walk shorter. Maybe all that bad Karma I worked off yesterday would allow a more peaceful day. I found the gate and then walked back to the bagel place, where I got a Chicago-made bagel-like bread product with chopped veggies in the cream cheese and a small coffee. I had ordered a medium, but here in The City of Big Shoulders, nothing is served in medium size! I got a small.

I ate 1/2 the bagel (sliced properly twice, not once) and packed the other side (yes, you eat one side at a time, not one slice) for later on the plane. I got an aisle seat this time (when I made the connection, it was the last seat on the plane), and Dahlia, who booked just before me, had the window seat. Dahlia is a baker in Portland, Oregon, and we had talked about baking in the security line while we waited. She wrapped herself in a coat as a blanket and slept the flight away. I read and napped. It was about ninety minutes, and I was not ready for another movie. I listened to my newest music on my iPhone and my JBL headphones.

I enjoyed music by Of Monsters and Men, Teddy Swims, Frank Ferdinard, Benson Boone, Green Day, Cannons, and more. My favorite is the acoustic version of Eddie Vedder’s Just Breathe. It brought a few tears, as it suits both Joyce and Susie, but gives proof, I think, of how vibrant and talented the current singers are. While it is tempting to love the familiar sounds of Led Zeppelin, the Beatles, and Simon & Garfunkel, I recommend the new stuff. So, please consider this link: Just Breathe.

The last time I saw Dahlia, she was waiting for her bags. She waved as I entered a long queue for rental cars. It was at least in the shade, but NC was hot and damp. I met another baker in Portland on a previous trip and discussed the differences in flour usage between Portland and Las Vegas in detail. Baking fascinates me, and I enjoy speaking with professionals.

In Chicago, I saw another traveller who called out that he had made his short connection (his gate was a few steps away). We were all sharing our stories in the various lines and were all happy to get connections this time. It seemed a happy day.

I got a Ford Bronco and wandered the car lot, as I was assigned car slot #60, and the row started over at the other end. What?! However, I found it, and the gas vehicle drives sluggishly. Nevertheless, after using an EV, I think all gas vehicles seem sluggish. There are no gear changes or extra engine processes for EVs. It just goes.

NC drivers do not yield, and they do not drive as fast as Michigan drivers. I also discovered that slow drivers were mixed in with the NC group, making for a chaotic experience. Abiet, this is a small sample, but so far I have been nearly rammed by a pickup when trying to change lanes with room, and have been stuck in traffic jams three times. I found my hotel, and the staff remembered me (we had spoken on the phone when I was stranded in Dallas), and they were happy to see me. I changed into my suit and headed out. My ruby sparkle vest and pride tie added to the bright colors for Joyce’s Celebration.

(Leta and I get a quick photo in before the service)

I managed to find my way to Brooks-Howell and soon saw everyone. I waited in the Chapel and soon joined the family. The service was the regular Chapter with Joyce being remembered here and there. This was Joyce’s wish. The Pastor, Rev. Kelly Dotson, said that Joyce wore bright, with-a-message T-shirts. “Every shirt a sermon in its own,” the pastor said.

When Jesus stood in the synagogue and declared, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,” he was claiming a faith rooted in freedom, healing, and good news for the poor. Joyce’s life echoed that claim. Her ministry — from Cuba to Argentina, from translation booths to boardrooms — was guided by the same Spirit. She stood with those whose backs were against the wall, offering dignity, advocacy, and compassion.

Joyce was meant to be our liturgist today. I had looked forward to it because her voice was one of the clearest, warmest reading voices I’ve ever heard. Her words always came with presence, with purpose. And Joyce had a way of proclaiming the Gospel not only in Scripture, but in shirts, in stories, and in spirit.

(From an extract supplied by Glenda).

It was a great mix of a service and a celebration of Joyce’s life.

Joyce’s ashes and those of her cat were placed in the rose garden after the service. Joyce’s pastor. Rev. Stephanie Foretich-McKey joined Pastor Kelly in the service. From Pastor Stephanie:

O God, before whom generations rise and pass away,
We praise you for all your servants who, having lived this life in faith, now live eternally with you. Especially, we thank you for Joyce Hill, whose ashes we now commit to the earth.

May this garden hold her with gentleness. May the roots and petals speak of resurrection. May every bloom remind us that love never dies.

Receive her into the arms of your mercy, into the blessed rest of everlasting peace, and into the glorious company of the saints in light.

Words were added to include the cat “Cutie” in the above (again, an extract from Glenda’s text).

We headed to a pizza place after various things were done. I chatted with Gene and nodded off in a chair as the hours of travel caught up with me while the family organized a few things. We had to wait for a table, but the food was soon delivered and enjoyed. We managed to take a group picture.

I was soon back at my hotel. I met Barb and will carry something for her in my checked bag. I was soon in bed. My colon was not happy from the travel, random food, and I soon had some moments that are best not described, but a mess was avoided. I was asleep and woke around midnight, and then a reflux hit me around 1 and was so bad it stopped my breathing for a bit. Not an enjoyable experience. But breathing returned, and I will discuss this with my doctor. Breathing is not optional.

Well, except for the reflux issue, it was a good day. Thanks for reading.