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I rose around 7 on Sunday. With the church service now at a distant 11, I am not rushing to complete a blog. I too quickly drank all the coffee today, IKEA coffee, which was an issue. By mid-day, my heart was racing after more Methodist coffee—too much caffeine and on an empty stomach. I had to slow down, drink lots of water, and take my inhaler often. The caffeine seems to make my asthma worse, and it is unwise to mix it with my diabetes medication, metformin. This failure, on my part, meant a quiet and unproductive Sunday.

Deborah and I spoke on the phone for a while. I had to ring off to write the blog. It took a few hours to remember and assemble a narrative. My retirement life is less rigid and organized than my working life, and it takes a while to recall the previous day. The result is a jumble of mind-pictures, and I must sort and spot the missing bits. I often remember the missing events when writing or editing.

With the blog’s daily update done, I clean up, shave, dress, and talk to Deborah. Her voice accompanies me in Air Ford (Escape) while I travel to First United Methodist Church. The iPhone connects to Air Ford (Escape) but with no audio. I find that if I turn off the vehicle, the problem clears. There is likely a better solution, but this works, and it is so IT. Just restart it!

I ring off with Deborah at the church and soon have more coffee (a mistake), and my heart is racing. Ugh. I get some water and let Dondrea know I am uncomfortable—in case it worsens. The church service is the usual Methodist Advent service, but without the drama of trying to light a tall candle with a long brass candle lighter with a little kid waving a flame around has been replaced with a long lighter and a capable adult. It’s a pity in some way; the Peace candle was peacefully lit.

Micah 5, a minor prophet in the Hebrew text, was the center of Pastor Ken’s sermon. He focused on the words that God has a plan that will come to fruition and that we are part of the plan. Ken liked the translation, “from of old,” which describes the plan. He thought it got the point across that these are ancient plans running now—what Ken said C.S. Lewis called “the deeper magic.” The text predicts Persia’s rise and Babylon’s fall in 539 BCE, ending the neo-Babylonian empire and the Persians giving the captives leave to return and rebuild Jerusalem and the temple. It is interpreted by Christians as a message that the Messiah will return and thus is read at Christmas times.

I was getting better. Switching from coffee to water helped, and I headed home after asking Michael R when he wanted to play Seige of Jerusalem 70AD, a “Strategy and Tactics” magazine game. Though most have disappeared, a few quarterly wargame magazines still include a complete game. They are often about $25 an issue, a reasonable price now (my last wargame game cost me $118). We have settled on 16 December to try this out.

When I returned home, I reheated the salt-and-pepper squid and a few cheese crab wontons in the oven. I then found Classic Doctor Who on Prime and watched an old Fourth Doctor episode I don’t remember. The stove did produce hot and not dried-out squid, but I will try the air fryer option next time and see if that is even better.

I turned off the TV, as the Prime I have apparently is with commercials, which are set in intervals of about thirty minutes and have five commercials. Yikes! I cannot waste that much time on 1970s SciFi.

I read the rules for Seige of Jerusalem 70AD. It describes the usual wargame process of moving little squares of paper on a map, but with an activation process and complex turn flow, you now see in newer board games. This is unlike the old Avalon Hill war game with the same name, which took hours to set up, had long turns for each player, and had huge stacks of paper squares. This new game, published in Fall 2024, focuses on enjoyment and decision-making. I am concerned there is no base recommended set-up, and Michael and I will have to pick where to start our forces, but we will see. I will try to play a game against myself and get the mechanics working in my head.

I read the rules and a book for a while. When I tried to return to the commercial-filled Classic Doctor Who, it changed to another episode, and there was no way I could find to change or select the series! I abandoned the Fourth Doctor and rested some more.

I got the racing heart under control with aspirin, an inhaler, and reading (trying not to think about your racing heart so you don’t get worried and make it race more) and headed to The 649. Crystal and Natalia served as bartenders, and soon, I had a red ale. I read the rules from the beginning and looked at the components. I punched the little squares of paper, wishing this one had larger components; these were tiny. I brought leftover little bags from various games and purchases of gaming pieces and arranged the different parts in multiple bags.

I had a simple appetizer for dinner: their hummus plate with pita bread and veggies. I read until the little light at my table’s batteries failed. They kept the place too dark for me to read or play games at night, but it was comfortable and romantic, the feeling I believe they are trying to promote. I try their cheesecake plate.

I tell Natalia goodnight (Crystal left earlier at the end of her shift, and I wish her well) and take Air Ford (Escape) home. I read for some more and felt better but tired. I soon showered, got into bed in my PJs, and read more of my book, The Three Summers.

I tried to sleep and noticed my heart racing—again, my worrying did not improve this. The issue faded as I read, and soon, I nodded off. Less caffeine! I sleep well.

Thanks for reading!

I rose at 6, even though the blog had been finished the night before. I had a 6AM game, and I would be rushed. But if I started early, I could text and chat with Deborah, and we did. While we spoke, I did my usual preparations by reading emails, updating Quicken transactions, and reading the news (another war was concluding with the fall of the Syrian government, but whether it would burn on as a civil war was yet to be understood). Coffee was the last of my current bag of Fair Traded coffee and would be followed with less liberal but interesting coffee from IKEA.

I brushed my teeth while Deborah spoke on my phone, which I carried around while getting cleaned up and dressed. We knew we did not have that much time together today as I had a long board game at Richard’s this morning: Twilight Imperium (version 4 with some of the add-on from Prophecy of Kings). I boarded Air Ford (Escape), having only heard a text from the Volvo mothership that the vehicle, once known as Air Volvo, was still undergoing diagnosis. F**k that was going to be expensive when the technicians finally worked out the issue. As I understand it, the sensors in the engine are producing erroneous results, causing a safety lockdown of the XC60 2018 model. I am enjoying Air Ford (Escape) at $200 a week, cheaper than buying a new one with a loan. It is increasingly likely that the Volvo will be donated to Oregon Public Broadcasting this year. I believe Enterprise Car Sales can get me the identical Ford Escape for about $24,000 or less.

The trip to Portland, where Richard resides, was uneventful, though I saw some surprising lane changes at the exits. I suspect it is extra-legal to change two lanes and exit simultaneously, but all the polite Oregon drivers slowed to allow the maneuver as if it were a usual thing. As I arrived at Richard’s place, I had to ring off from speaking with Deborah.

The usual good gamers were there, and Cody would win the game by two points over Richard and James, with me at the bottom and Chris making a good showing. The game Twilight Imperium 4 is a legendary board game. It is a SciFi 4X game with a strong political and economic engine. It was initially a re-themed version of the old Avalon Hill Dune board game, but with the randomness reduced, the original game is now again for sale with only minor updates (it was released with the new movie). The usual play time for this is 6-8 hours, and we played about 9:30-2:30, five hours. I was never in the running. It is a chance to play running an immersive experience as the evil emperor of a SciFi race.

(the scores…Five is covered by my marker…Chris on 7…Richard on 8…James on 9…Cody wins for 10)

I played more like a tourist than a hard-charging evil emperor like Cody, James, and Richard. I did not focus enough on gaining points (ten points to win) and preventing Cody from gaining points. However, as James, too far away from me to change the outcome, was tied with five more points than me and two more than Chris, I did not feel I could really impact the result; I could only play reluctant kingmaker. This is the challenge with these games; you have to play to the end even when you know 3/4 that you are out of the running.

I misplayed a few times as I tried to grasp the rules, and Cody and Richard were giving me bad advice as I realized they would do anything to win this one. James was also playing me. As I was wedged between Cody and Richard, I had few options, so I decided to inwardly focus and just play along. Cody took one of my planets and then attacked James, too. All to get those precious points while pretending to be my ally. And while it is hard to enjoy losing and getting last place in a board game, I still enjoyed playing it and found it a fascinating experience. Still, I warn you, dear reader, it is an ego-bruising and sometimes emotional experience to be lied to and taken advantage of for points, but that is the game; politics is ‘the art of the possible.’ Maybe watching the musical Evita would be good training for this one!

After the game, I passed on another game that evening. My brain fried a bit, so I headed to Broadway Grill instead. It was leaf collection in Portland, so all the easy parking spots were covered by no-parking warnings as the leaves were being collected and piled in the parking places. Paying for parking and walking four blocks in the heavy Oregon mist got me moving, and while it was damp, I felt good about moving again.

(the defeated would-be ruler of the SciFi universe at least gets a good sandwich)

At the Broadway Grill, I had a Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride beer and their famous Ruben sandwich with potato chips. I always took Susie here and thought back to when she was using the warm pool nearby, and I would drive her twice a week for months and then have lunch at the grill. I believe it was COVID-19 and some downtime for the pool for repairs and upgrades that ended that adventure, but I have only a fuzzy memory of it now.

The walk was good. I avoided the kitchen and flower stores and got to Air Food without incident. My trip back to Beaverton was uneventful and easy. I stopped by Guardian Games (Aloha) and picked up a few games, one of which was a Christmas gift.

I found Burning Banners, a highly rated fantasy-themed hex-based wargame. I have to try this out sometime. It includes magic and artifacts and reminds me of a recent yet-to-be-played Divine Right reprint, a late 1970s wargame also fantasy-themed. I have always wanted to return to this genre of game. I was happy to get one, but the high price tag ($118) surprised me. I could not resist.

Deborah was home, and we connected by Zoom and watched the last available episode of the Apple+ series Silo. In this episode, the IT director is running the Silo and manages to be extra-creepy, and Deborah is sure that if I offer chicken and mushrooms to her, she is not going to be able to eat it. Yes, the bad guy is IT–no surprise to me.

Deborah and I talked for a while afterward, but the time difference meant it was time for Deborah to sleep, so we said goodnight. I continued the rest of my night by making a late dinner of beef and broccoli from Trader Joe’s, but I made couscous to go with it, not rice. I found the Louise Penny-based miniseries, a favorite author, on Prime and watched the first episode, which was not bad. I read and did the dishes. I soon grew tired, showered, dressed in my PJs, and fell asleep.

I don’t remember my dreams, but they were pleasant, and I rested well, only waking to prove hydration at 3ish. I went back to sleep soon after that. I found that 7AM was here sooner than I had expected.

Thanks for reading.

I rose late because I was not feeling well on Thursday, and it was hard to start Friday. I stayed in bed until about 9. I decided to stay in my PJs until mid-afternoon. This will stop me from overdoing it and also from going on trips. Instead, I wrote a blog post and chatted with Deborah when she returned from work. I also had breakfast of a NYC bagel (thanks, Joyce). This was good with the Equal Exchange coffee I made in my French press, liberal coffee. This Fair Trade product helps the farmers who grow the coffee by paying them a fair price.

I wrote the blog and tried to include some changes recommended by other writers. Less musing and notes on coffee. I also need to explain more. I wrote until the afternoon. I also

Deborah was back later, and we chatted again for a while. I made lunch of Trader Joe’s Stout and Beef Pie. I returned to reading Clinton and Penny’s State of Terror book. The book connected with Inspector Gamache novels, a favorite of mine, with even the Inspector appearing. It is a political thriller, but it does feel more like a mystery, and I really enjoyed it. Later, I finished the book and enjoyed reading how the book was put together and that some characters are based on folks who have passed away, an excellent way to honor them. Recommended for Penny fans and for anyone who likes a good political thriller.

Deborah was available in the early evening, and we watched two episodes of Silo Season 2 on Apple+. We tried something new and used Zoom to share the screen in a browser (we both have subscriptions; before, we just talked on the phone while each of us played it on our individual screen). Now, I could pause and even hear each other laugh or react to the same thing. It worked well. There was one more episode, but it was late in Michigan, meaning we stopped there.

The story is getting deep and complex. I like it. I don’t want to include spoilers. Deborah told me this was first a set of books she read, followed by a TV series. I find dystopian future sci-fi hit-or-miss, but this one is quite interesting.

Aside: Silo is a linear story, and to watch this dark SciFi fantasy means to start with the first season and episode one and bingle them in order. The stories are so good, the acting is believable, and the camera work is amazing, making it hard to stop once you start. You have been warned!

Deborah and I then walked our laptops through our homes and shared our rooms. A Zoom video tour. We did not want to end the evening, but it was getting late in Michigan, and we finally closed the Zoom.

I ordered Doordash, deciding to stay inside and not spend the energy to cook dinner. I ordered from the nearby East Harbor. Soon, the dasher brought me a Chinese-style feast: Hot and Sour Soup, Salt and Pepper Squid, and Cheese Crab Wonton. I did not realize how hungry I was; most of it was consumed. I accidentally ordered two Salt and Pepper Squid entries, which will reheat well (I was not that hungry).

Aside: I lost four pounds and down to 228. I would not recommend the process.

Next, while eating, I watched part of Kolchak: The Night Stalker Spanish Moss Murders from 1974. I learned this series started as a well-received movie, which is now on my list of guilty pleasure movies to watch (not far on the list are other guilty choices like Conan the Barbarian, 1982). I do have the book published by Kickstarter, and The Night Stalker is back now as a comic book set with original characters and 1970s Chicago.

I did my laundry, but once again, I learned that I cannot mix towels with clothing in The Machine if I want it to dry the clothing. I also spent some time figuring out how to get Apple+ back. It took me four tries. Not an exciting night.

Tonight was Beaverton Tree Lighting, and our church supplied free apple cider to the crowd. I decided to pass, as I did not want to overdo it today. Dondrea sent me pictures and a movie of the tree being lighted. It looked fun.

For those folks wondering about Air Volvo, I received a text from the technician saying they had made no progress in diagnosing the issue. The Volvo has been at the spa now for more than a week. I imagine it will want to come home when the money runs out.

It is late, and I have a board game at 9 Saturday. I am returning to the long 4X Twilight Imperium Game. Richard’s copy has the new add-ons, cards, and rules. It will take a while to remember how to play. I hope not to be last.

Thank you for reading.

 

 

Yesterday, Wednesday, I started writing my blog using the usual boilerplates and adding a few muses. Later, I got feedback that I was focusing too much on coffee and not explaining liberal coffee to new readers. The muses need to be limited, too, I was told. I listened and will adjust, but maybe not that much…

Nonetheless, the morning started with me being surprised to rise after 7 and closer to 8, and I needed coffee. I reached for Equal Exchange coffee, certified Fair Trade (thus called liberal in the blog), meaning the farmers are paid a reasonable amount for their produce, coffee. I have been drinking liberal coffee since Donald Trump was elected President (the first time) as a reminder that we liberals must walk the talk, even drinking Fair Trade coffee. It is important to me. Dear reader, when I sip my coffee (often more quaffing than sipping), it also reminds me that even when doing the little things better, significant changes can happen to the big ones.

I believe I made an error in judgment at this moment—shocking, I know. I did not eat anything and just drank coffee on an empty stomach. I later, after dressing, took my pills, including the diabetes medication metformin. I know better, but I felt good, lost some weight, and did not like making breakfast. The consequence, I believe, cost me dinner and a concert with friends.

I wrote the blog in a bit of a rush. I had lunch with Scott, and Kate joined us. Scott and I used to be at Nike before we were retired by layoff. Kate, who is still working at Nike and IT, joined us. I arrived only a few minutes late. We talked about travel and some internal Nike politics. I cannot include much here, but it all sounded familiar, and I was happy to be traveling and not working at a multinational corporation. It was great to see Kate, and I again offered to play Dungeons and Dragons with her family when we can arrange a time.

I had a heavy beer and a Captain Neon Burger (blue cheese and bacon), but I ordered it with fries instead of a salad. My carb load was heavy, and I had not been careful. Metformin will make you sick with too many carbs, and I know that. But it is not the amount but the percentage. With a dark beer, huge bun, fries, and an empty stomach, I was just asking for it. Also, it was likely a grease-filled burger. The combination was not good for me.

After so much food, who wouldn’t feel tired? I did make the church meeting on Zoom and was able to contribute, but I was starting to feel off. I talked to Deborah for a while; she was done with work. I had to hang up and rush to the bathroom. While most of the burger stayed inside me, it was a most unpleasant experience, lasting for hours.

I was supposed to join Dondrea and Z at the MAX at 5:20 and then meet Ashley and Andrew at Jake’s Grill in Portland for a Christmas dinner. We had planned this for months and threaded it through various events. I tried to rise, but then the nausea rose, too. I could not risk the MAX–throwing up there is not great. If I had the flu, I would be risking people. I had to stay home. F**K! F**K! F**K!

I was nauseated until after 8. I had chills (I freeze now after chemo). I slowly recovered and had some yogurt and hot cider. I sent a picture to Ashley, Andrew, Dondrea, and Z at the symphony I missed wearing a top hat and toasting them with cider: “Merry Christmas! One and all.” I’m not sure what character I was in Dickens; while not looking at the part, I felt like Marley.

I read more of Clinton and Penny’s State of Terror book and really enjoyed it. It is hard to put down. It helped me ignore my tummy. The picture created in the book of former President Dunn in the book fascinated me (a caricature of Donald Trump). I am enjoying the story and the writing. Hillary Clinton tells a story created from her years as Secretary of State that Penny reveals with her usual excellent writing and poetic forms. I only wish they would write another one.

Sleeping is hard, and I can’t put the book down. I finally feel sleep building and turn off the light after 1:30. I wake at 6ish, reply to Deborah that I am better, and go back to sleep.

Thanks for reading!

 

I was not too interested in getting up early on Wednesday and did not. However, I did exchange ‘good morning’ texts with Deborah, who was already busy at work and would be busy all day in Eastern Time (three hours earlier). I rose, found my slippers, and found the kitchen (it had not moved), located the electric hot water kettle, French Press, and soon began the process of creating a fine hot beverage. Coffee was soon in my cup. Liberal, of course, and it tasted of Hope today. Maybe this day, the USA will find Justice, Compassion, and the love of Community. We The People would lose our fears and anger and realize that our neighbor is, though they may look and sound different, like us: Another family trying to make a go of it. The bitter, dark liquid whispers to me that liberal is just embracing the future and your neighbor without fear.

For those waiting for news on Air Volvo at the mothership spending my money with abandonment. I imagine Air Volvo is partying with the technicians and enjoying the spa. No word. Eventually, the money will run out, and Air Volvo will want to come home.

Air Ford (Escape) is a fine replacement for Air Volvo, and I liked driving it. I suspect, dear reader, you are shocked that I am starting to go both ways. Yes, Ford and Volvo. Euro and American (Kentucky). But sadly, I read in the press that the Ford Escape model will not continue. I read the Consumer’s Report on the model, and they complained that the vehicle shook and made a tinny sound at lower speeds; I have not experienced that with the 1.5L Engine model, they called out (the version Enterprise uses).

I do the usual items, including updating my Quicken transactions to see my balances, reading and mostly deleting emails, and checking the news. Another appointee from the incoming administration is likely to withdraw as the lack of vetting creates news stories. Chaos in political news in South Korea and France. I need more coffee!

I spent the morning writing, trying to remember Tuesday, and assembling it into a story. I skipped breakfast and just drank coffee and wrote. By late morning, I had completed the story and was able to publish it. I dressed, threw away most of the mail, boarded Air Ford (Escape), and crossed Beaverton and Portland traffic to reach IKEA. The faith in the here-after by some of the local drivers was witnessed in their extra-legal and near-fatal lane changes. One must have strong faith to drive like that! It is usually reassuring to be with people of faith, but I learned that the roadway is not a place for faith; it requires some concern for facing one’s Maker unexpectedly.

I was happy to arrive in Air Ford (Escape) intact at the IKEA parking lot near our airport, PDX. Yes, dear reader, we here in the Greater Portland Area never named our airport after some politician but instead named it by its call letters. I was happy to see from the parking lot that someone was in the cafeteria, and soon, I was enjoying 12 meatballs, gravy, and the usual fixings. I have been trying to have dinner there for months, but they are not open (even today) for dinner, just lunch. I used paper plates, disposable silverware, and a paper cup. The dishwasher is apparently not working. The cashier informed me that they had been having issues for weeks now.

I then walked the paths of IKEA and enjoyed looking at all the not-cheap and difficult-to-assemble furniture. There was so much temptation, but I remembered it was heavy, and I should not be lifting it. Then there are the hours of assembly. They offer free delivery if purchased before 10 December, and your total is over $399 (an easy number to reach).

I looked at the bedroom sets and tried the mattresses. I talked to the staff; they generally sell only cheaper ones. I liked the two good ones which were not cheap, but not expensive. Mom Wild called, thanking me for the flowers and a cookie for her birthday.  We talked about selling mattresses–memories of Wild’s Furniture and Appliance, “We Beat City Prices.” We retell the stories from the old store in Laingsburg and the trick to selling mattresses. You never have the top or bottom ones in stock, or there is a delivery fee or other nonsense, and soon get the consumer to believe they are getting a deal at an excellent mattress that is somehow middle-priced and better than the cheap one and that the expensive one is not worth the price and has some flaws making it a waste of money (mostly made up by the salesperson). Soon, you sell the mid-priced one that makes the most money and is in stock.  Mom Wild and I revel in the stories.

I like the best model of mattress, steel myself, and see that the note is for seeing the staff. I am told that they do have it at the other warehouse (there is another one?!), and I could pick it up (a queen-sized mattress tied to the top of a Ford Escape in a traffic jam in Portland is not something I want to experience), which gets an incredulous look from me. The staff member is not in the least affected by my look–Dad would have been proud of them. They calmly suggested I order online, and they were sure that would be great for me. Oh yes, I am dismissed. Linda would be nodding if she was here selling. Grandpa Wild is somewhere smiling. I could have the mid-priced one tomorrow. I smile and walk away.

While most consumers would be put off, I feel like I have come home. With a host of salespeople witnesses, I walk through the store thinking of family and remembering all the selling and sales. But there are meatballs, and soon, the memories and the witnesses gently fade. I collect a few treats for the holidays and frozen meatballs. I have to buy another IKEA bag. There are no checkers, and I have to do the checking myself. I will likely buy the mattress online.

I am relieved to load Air Ford with goodies (getting extra meatballs, jam, and a packet of gravy for Corwin). The trip back is without new lessons in faithfulness. I returned to the house formerly known as The Volvo Cave and unloaded the Swedish items. I chat with Deborah while driving there and back. We keep each other company when we drive.

Next, I return to First United Methodist Church near Old Town Beaverton, near the fountain, and across from the library. Dondrea appears soon with Z. Dondrea was in Idaho on a business trip, flew back, and, like me, crossed Portland from PDX to be here. Andrew and Z agree on Concordia for tonight’s board game. We will use the larger map of Cyrpus that Andrew picked. And we strive. We all know how to play, though I help here. Z builds non-stop. Andrew builds on the Island and pulls ahead. I buy cards and spread out my houses across many provinces. We have to stop when choir rehearsal starts (Andrew plays with us until choir starts while the Praise Band rehearses), and Andrew manages to buy the Weaver card as his last action. That gives him the game by three points. Next time! Z is back ten points from my score but was about to explode and would likely have gotten the end-of-the-game bonus and earned a win.

Next, Z and I played game after game of the tile board game Azule using our alternative scoring process—it is fast and easy. Deborah texted me a ‘good night’ and slept after I sent her a photo of Z and me playing Azule. Z crushes me utterly and is happy to finally win something.

Air Ford brings me home, and soon, I am reading and enjoying my new book, a political thriller by Hillary Clinton and Louise Penny. I am soon trying to sleep. The cramps and foot pain return. Simple painkillers work, and soon, I am dreaming mostly forgotten dreams, including a faded memory of selling with Susie rolling her eyes.

Thanks for reading!