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I rose early, still not sure what time zone I am in, but definitely not the one I am in! I had not made coffee and went through the process to make local coffee from the Sleepy Monk on the Oregon Coast (thanks, AJ and Most Rev. Steve). The bitterness reminds me (without having to refer to the news) how far we have to go in the USA before Justice with Compassion is the standard. Feeling like we are in a farce based on Orwell, I drink deep and let the bitterness clear my head of the illusion of powerlessness. I return to writing my blog, paying bills, checking my investments (embarrassingly good, even during the wars and federal crackdown in the USA), and keeping on top of my USA-based retired life — not quite a full-time job, but I am busy and happy to be busy.

Leta is home and improving. She had a run-in with what was likely a virus and ended up in the ER and hospital. She is happy to be home.

The mail included the next 2600, and my article and a photo of a phone booth were published in this issue. Excellent. I got a congrats from Savy, a security expert I met at the 2600 convention called Hope_16. Here: 2600 Hackers Quarterly, Winter 2026, page 57 and inside cover. The 2600 website later in the day showed this issue as current. Sadly, Hope is canceled for this year.

Aside: 2600 is an often-banned magazine and represents the Hacker community, an edgy group. It also supports many groups with what many would consider extreme, but violence and organized crime are opposed by 2600 and its supporters. Being a nuisance to those in power (government or corporate) and exposing failures, abuse, and ignoring risks would be close to the 2600’s thesis statement. It is mailed in a plain white envelope.

Bouncing off the walls with so much happiness, I managed to find the focus to finish the blog. I soon showered and dressed. Air VW the Gray, now with an appointment, Jan 26th, for the mothership to update its software (a safety recall about using Tesla chargers and the risk of fire; f**k!) and its first-year check-up and fixes, took me through Beaverton, and I soon arrived, again, at McMenamins Cedar Hills. I was there on Wednesday, arranging for a room for later Thursday evening.

I meet Scott there, and we catch up over beers and McMenamins’ lunch box with 1/2 a sandwich, soup, and salad. The soup was flat this time (missing the sour cream and some spices for Hungarian Mushroom Soup), tasting like mushrooms in colored water. We talked about money, travels, and investments. We are both disturbed by our continued profiting from Wall Street, even with the wars and the federal violence on the streets of the USA. Scott manually rebalanced his investments, while I let mine ride as-is and have them managed by US Bank Wealth Management.

I had also read about the tax implications of The Big Wonderful Bill and discussed them with Scott. I believe my giving may be curtailed by the changes. Some provisions have been updated so that there is some write-off even if you use the standard deduction. It appears I should look for a replacement for Air VW when its lease runs out, with the final assembly point in the USA, to write off the interest on a car loan. Of course, the EV breaks are gone under Trump. Also, in an insane move, Oregon is taxing EV cars because they don’t use gas and are costing the Oregon treasury planned income. Trump would agree with that one. Ugh!

We enjoyed our lunch and talk, and will meet again next week. Scott may join me in the AI stuff I am thinking of starting. We are both watching the market, and our Nike stock options continue to tank and go underwater (some are so underwater they are in a deep trench). My Ford (abandoning EV focus) and L3Harris (makes rocket motors for missiles; they expect a lot of sales, f**k!) stocks are way up, but they do not align with my ethics. Crazy!

We part, and I return home. The beer, food, and time zone change sent me to a nap for a few hours. I felt better, but it was hard to rise; I finally managed it. I did the dishes and read for a while.

I learned that the water problem at the church has been resolved and that the new fridge for the refresh works when plugged in. Hmmm.

Next, I returned again to McMenamins for the Theology Pub meeting. This time, we had 14 folks wedged into a space for about 12 after dragging in extra chairs and a table; I had requested a pessimistic estimate of ten.

Dondrea’s concern and reason for choosing the topic Purpose was that many folks were just working endlessly, with no joy or satisfaction in completing things well. While this purpose movement from Rick Warren seems like useful practices, did he and others take it too far? What say you?

While the subject bounced around among folks, I noticed that older folks sort of defended having a purpose in everything, while younger folks rebelled against it. They think it is wrong to be working all the time. Some of us from IT pointed out that stopping, resting, and thinking are often how solutions are found. The purpose-hardened work did not produce new or imaginative solutions. I also read later in 2600 that some Hackers do their best work when left alone and deeply focused (that, too, I have done). They also said it may be because they have Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). All interesting to me.

I was tired, and the two Old Fashioneds, while excellent, made thinking even less clear. I had eaten an Italian-style chopped salad with the acidity of the salad and my drink, prompting me add a small order of fries that I shared. I was safe to drive, but 8:30 (or 11:30 on the East Coast) seemed late to me. I left before many, with Z stopping me to catch up for a moment, and then driving home in the dark.

Corwin had wondered about playing LOTR: Fate of the Fellowship board game, but I was tired, and he was busy too. Friday for that, we agreed.

I read and soon was asleep. I woke at 1:30 and thought it was morning. I rolled over and slept more. There were dreams, but they are misty and near forgotten, and I think I debated purpose in dream Portland; at least I did not dream again of being drafted to invade USA cities and small countries.

Thanks for reading!

 

 

 

I rose at about 7 with my alarm and did not have coffee made. I knew Wednesday morning would be strange and I started with calling the CIC for LG and talked to them about the broken appliance, The Machine (a combo washer and dryer), had coded again with another broken vibration sensor (which I paid over $300 to have it replaced last time and then enduring a flood when they broke another part, a hose). I learned that, despite the repair being completed in August 2024, it was no longer warranted. I asked them to buy back The Machine and that I would not use it again. To my surprise, they agreed to escalate and recommend a refund. Later, I spoke with the escalation team, and they asked for the receipt to process my refund. Done after a hectic search, I found a receipt in the form of an email. They also offered to give me $200 for all the trouble of using coin laundry machines. I am waiting for this to play out and hope it comes true. It is the best LG could do is own up to the failures of the top-of-the-line machine and refund my money. I wait for their next step, but I have a case number and, though it has been too many times, I have only had good experiences with LG customer service. Waiting.

But I had no laundry baskets (Corwin forgot to return them, he said later), so I threw on clothes and drove Air VW the Gray to Target, where I located and purchased a small bottle of detergent (no dyes or so on) with Bounce and two matching laundry baskets. I returned to the house, collected the clothing (some of it soaked and pre-soaped by The Machine’s failure), and headed to the coin laundry. I had a plastic soup container where I keep my few coins (I use cards instead to get miles) and the last quarters from my previous break of The Machine.

I break a $20 in to quarters and, having learned my process from too many weeks of broken laundry, I spread my laundry in the small $3.25 machines, four with whites, socks, and undies split from shirts, pants, and colored T-shirts, that take 28 minutes to wash. They are side loaders. I pay over $2.50 each for the two dryers, and in about thirty minutes, I am done. I call over another person and gift them my remaining time.

I packed up and loaded the car and forgot a basket (I will try to retrieve it on Thursday). I put away much of the laundry and will fold it and so on later. I will move to once-a-week clothing washing while I enjoy coin laundry on Friday mornings.

I microwaved some cold KFC chicken, finished The Mummy (Brendan Fraser’s) movie I rented for a few bucks, and forgot how fun it was. After that, I boarded Air VW the Gray again and headed to McMenamins Cedar Hills. There, I tried the Mexican-style dark lager, and it was excellent. I also scheduled the Theology Pub for Thursday night.

I returned home after that, just one beer, and with the jet lag, it was enough. I stopped by the veggie place on the corner of 185th and TV Highway for some lettuce and a few other items for not much money. I returned home, started to defrost some ground beef, and heated mulling spices (thanks, Z and Dondrea) with apple cider. While not good for my sugar levels, it was warm and spicy. I get cold easily since the chemotherapy (or just getting over 60, as my oncologist would remind me, not everything bad is related to the treatments).

I relax, and Deborah and I talk a few times as she works long hours while her teaching programs start to ramp up again. I use the new spices, Bold Taco, that I bought in Michigan from Penzey’s. I had a few with some cheese and lettuce (though it was on its last legs, which explains the low price). It was good. I put on season two of Halo and did an episode. Corwin stopped by. He had some tacos and then KFC, and watched the first episode of season 2 with me (I restarted, as there is always something new to see). Halo seems better the more I watch, but season 2, at first, appeared confused to me.

I ordered the C23 book. I may be back to coding and some C; the new version cannot hurt. It was also not overpriced. I was still too tired to think clearly, so I just relaxed and tried to read some history, but soon nodded off.

I did dream, and again, with the shooting of a US citizen by an ICE agent, it was about being drafted and working for the government and invading US towns and small countries. I woke a few times but managed to sleep better.

Thanks for reading!

Deborah and I left for the Detroit Airport at 5:30ish to get me there two hours before my flight. We were sad as it had been ten days together and we were used to each other’s company now. We both resisted wet eyes (they would come later); Deborah will be in Oregon mid-February, and then we plan to meet (me the plus-one) at her Salt Lake City conference near the end of March.

Focusing on the task and our good times, Deborah pulled up to the drop-off, and I unloaded my red bag (which is stoved-in on the corners and has duct tape, too — it’s the last trip after being beaten somehow between here and Morocco two Aprils ago). A goodbye with hugs, trying to say everything; we parted, and I then rolled my wheels to Delta Airlines regular service (there are four in Detroit, separated by International and First/Business Class). I went to the correct one this time. I remembered to retrieve my phone from the DIY check-in and bag tagging process. I dropped my bag and soon found myself in a short line for TSA security, ignoring the slightly shorter pre-Check and other purported-for-fee processes.

I was waved through a metal detector and flunked that check as I had suspenders and a titanium plate in my head. I was told the procedure requires me to remove my shoes and try the regular machine. I complied and passed. My carry-on was laden with boxes of chicken salad, tina fish, instant coffee, and a horror-based card game full of interesting symbols, all passed. Suspenders on a metal detector!

As I sat down to put on my shoes, I saw that Delta Airlines offered me a replacement flight, as my flight was now an hour delayed and my connection to Portland would not work. I picked a new flight through Salt Lake City, updated Joan S and others, and then found my gate. I was boarding soon. Checked that my suitcase was rerouted on the Delta app, yup. Got two pastries at Starbucks and drank about 1/2 a coffee, but tossed it as I boarded, as my hands were not free to carry it, my bag, and my coat.

My seatmates were quiet and sleeping. I watched, again, the new TRON movies, Ares, and enjoyed it again. I like the mix of 3D printing and AI. I agree they are closely related. I started My Fair Lady (which has aged poorly, I think), and then we landed.

Delta sent me a voucher for a meal, and I talked to the folks there, and they told me to call after the flight to have my Comfort Class upgrade refunded (I paid for the upgrade with miles). Jimmy John’s was near my gate, and a sandwich and a Diet Coke (no chips or pickle) was $12.30, and my voucher was $12. Excellent.

I took the drink and the sandwich on the plane; it was a bit of a juggle to get into my seat, this time in the middle of the main cabin. I plugged in things to charge my phone and to watch more of My Fair Lady, and my eyes got damp when “I could have danced all night” started. I watched the show while I ate my sandwich, the “Spicy East Coast Italian.” It has some zing, and I like it better than the usual grinder.

I watched my movie, ate many free sandwiches, and the movie ended as the plane pulled up to the gate, perfect.

Joan S found me soon after I located my bag, and we talked about many things, including some AI work on Kaggle.com. We may work together on a Kaggle challenge. Traffic and the rain were light, and I was home soon.

I started the laundry, just a few items, as I was worried about my LG Combo, which coded just as I was finishing up my packing. It did run, and the load worked. It would break on the next load. Ugh!

I drove across Beaverton in Air VW the Gray after going through the mail that had been delivered from the hold I put on a week ago. I reached Beard Framing and picked up my framed print. It is now on the wall, replacing an older piece that Susie and I bought in Colonial Williamsburg. It is an Edward Gorey print (no signature), given after his death as a pledge week gift for public TV/Radio (numbered 13 out of 200, which makes me like the number too), but embossed with a signature. It brought back good memories.

I returned home via KFC because it seemed, in some timezone, that it was time for dinner. I rented The Mummy (Brendan Fraser’s version) while I enjoyed too much comfort food. Corwin joined me for dinner, and we chatted. I put the movie on hold for a while. I was too tired, the time difference getting to me, to talk much. Then the laundry washer broke. New plans for Wednesday, coin laundry!

I focused on getting the blog out. I had not even started it. I managed to write it and soon was reading in bed. I could not stay away, but managed to keep going until after 10.

I slept a dark, dreamless sleep; at least, I could not remember any dreams or even impressions from dreams. I woke a few times and woke for my 7 alarm.

Thanks for reading!

 

 

 

I rose early, rolled over, and got going at 7ish. It was my last full day in Michigan, and also most folks’ back-to-work day, including Deborah. We knew she had to work for some of the day, and I found some things to do for the first hours of the first Monday of 2026.

I had a light breakfast, complimentary at the IHG, and then wrote the blog. I updated my insurance information in MyChart for Legacy and OHSU. I was disappointed to learn that OHSU informed me they are now treated as out-of-network by Regence for 2026, and that I will not be able to use them at all if I keep that insurance in 2027. They are negotiating, but that is what is suggested now. I checked what places are open on Monday, and Deborah and her sons would join me for dinner in the evening.

I had the sheets changed and the room cleaned. While I was leaving the next day, I still wanted things to be better. I gave the staff a few tips, and they were happy to make the updates.

Deborah picked me up before noon, and we fueled her mini before heading again to Detroit. I come from Oregon, where full service is the norm, and I drive an EV now; it is exotic to have to fuel a car. King Books was our next stop as something to do on my last day. Another used book store!

Deborah and I had no issues until we were within sight of the store, when the mini’s wheel seemed to disappear into a pothole. Deborah said, ” There goes the realignment!” The streets were covered, except for the one space directly in front of the store, by no parking signs. We had a perfect space.

The store was cold, since it opens at 11, but soon we were warming up as we climbed the stairs to the other levels and found some warm registers. One 2, I found books on the Akkadian Language. On 4, Deborah found some Portuguese books but was disappointed to find none in Icelandic. On 1, Deborah picked out some political buttons.

Next, only a while away was the Corktown Slow’s BBQ, which was just opening too. I had a Red Zepplin that I was surprised was from the Midwest, not 54º the Pacific Northwest, which is my usual source. It was good. Deborah had the two meet for lunch, and me the three. It was a lot of food. It was excellent. The seasonal BBQ sauce was described as a Kansas City style and was excellent (Deborah got a bottle to take home).

Nap ready, Deborah dropped me off at the hotel. I had to pack. Deborah had work items. Kruse and Muer on Main was open on Monday, and I enjoyed my last visit there, but this time I would be going for a salad, as I was still stuffed. Liam and Donovan met us there.

We tried the desserts too, with Donovan and I getting our own chocolate mousse and Deborah and Liam sharing an apple crisp with ice cream. Deborah and I went for a walk downtown and then spent some time together. Donovan and Liam went shopping.

Thanks for reading!

 

Deborah and I had no plans for a couple of items that were in light pencil, but we did not do them. Instead, we headed to Lansing, Michigan, to see Leta (Susie’s mother). Leta was still waiting for a room in the hospital and was improving according to her daughter, Barb C. Leta spent the night in the ER, but was moved to a quieter room they use for folks waiting to move to the hospital. She is now in room 606 in McLaren off of Collins (here).

(passing Laingsburg, my hometown, again)

I rose on Sunday, showered and dressed, and then talked to Barb C to arrange our plans. Deborah had some tasks to complete at the house, including caring for the dogs Trixie and Zelda. We left around 11 and arrived near 1:30.

Like most Emergency Departments, there is a strong security presence, and all folks are escorted into the rooms by security. We went through a metal detector, and both of us had to be wanded. All was good. We met Pastor Sue Platt from Grace United Methodist, Leta’s church, and the church where I was married, and we all headed to Leta.

Leta is 97, sharp, still drives, lives alone in her home, and volunteers to keep busy. She gives us all hope that our later years could be so good.

Leta and Barb were happy to have visitors and Pastor Sue. Pastor Sue got Leta caught up on all the church events and will try to update folks on her condition (Leta volunteers at a food bank and at other church events). Pastor Sue asked questions to ensure that Leta accepted the release of information, a new policy she has to follow for Grace UMC (and admits to sometimes forgetting to ask, as it is still new to her). She prayed for Leta and reminded Leta a few times to stop worrying about everyone else and instead to get better.

Deborah and I kept Leta company while Barb found lunch at the hospital cafe. We talked about church and family things. Later, while Deborah got coffee (and was then delayed by events inside the ER, leaving her waiting until things were resolved), Barb and I (well, mostly Barb) helped Leta get up and walk. Leta was breathing better, and the edema was resolving.

While it was tempting to visit East Lansing, it was cold, and we did those things in October. Instead, we headed to the Greater Detroit Area. We took a short break once we returned and rested. We agreed that RH House would be great for dinner, and we soon found the place not busy (unusual, but the Lions were playing). I had their excellent New Old Fashion and Deborah some white wine. Deborah enjoyed her usual salmon (excellent and recommended), and I tried something new in the Sea Bass, which was also good and had a different flavor with capers. We split a dessert of butter cake with ice cream. The cake was like a pound cake, but with even more butter (pound plus cake?), and it was also delicious.

Later, after Deborah headed home, I tried to sleep, but the time zone (which I thought I had got over) and the must-get-ready-to-fly feelings kept me from sleeping. I finally slept around three.

I dreamed I had been called into the military and given some rank, but I did not know how to wear the uniform or what to do. Apparently, the US was at war with the world now, and I was drafted to invade small countries. I had to wear an out-of-date uniform (the only one available), have my rank formally pinned on me, and be sworn in. It was chaos.

I woke too early from an alarm, dreaming that I had decided to sleep in after turning it off; I don’t know how long it took my reduced hearing to hear and wake me for the alarm. I rolled over, reset the alarm, and slept another hour, making part of the dream come true.

Thanks for reading!