Raincharm’s Weblog

These are the creatures we are currently sorting through. Lots and lots of beanie babies, puppets, other stuffies, and a few with key chains. There are some that will be retained. A few are going to the trash bin – in need of repair or just too used to pass on. Perhaps tomorrow there will be more specifics, but we should be reduced from 5 bins to 1.

Other ceramic creatures from along our walk. Zoom in to see the various facial expressions, I always enjoy running into this yard.

We did walk, before the rain and creature sorting. And after I finished plowing through Medicare information. I’m just trying to better understand the coverage and how it works. I generally track to make sure we are paying bills for services received, and not questioning the amount charged. But there are small discrepancies in how the 3 involved entities report the costs and who pays. (1. Medical Service Provider,  2. Medigap Company, 3. Medicare) Let’s just say they all start with the same number and appear to show the amount that we need to pay in agreement, but the way it’s presented in between can be wildly different. For now I am adopting a trust but track philosophy, rather than figure out how they are doing their math to the last penny.

Enough for one day. And the actress from Hamnet, Jessie Buckley, won the Oscar. She was the only individual I was rooting for because I thought she did such a good job.

It snowed yesterday. Our only snow this winter. Carl has a history of always building snowmen.

One year when he was late some neighbors were concerned he was sick.

I had to help because he still has lifting restrictions and it’s a very wet snow. I  placed the torso.

The front yard is pretty clear of snow, all into Scoli, as we call him. Note some daffodils in the background. Not usually seen together.

This morning was not quite as cold but also included hail and snow, with no accumulation. And then the sun came out, so we took a walk.

Ran across this gem. So colorful, but I’m not sure it’s seaworthy.

We were supposed to meet friends for dinner tonight, but they live in the North Bend micro-climate. They were snowed in this morning after 5 inches fell on top of the 12 inches they already had. Waiting for clearer roads.

You could build our snowman a few times from the snow on the railing.

And of course it is PI day, so Carl and I pivoted. One of the days when pizza deals abound. 2nd small pizza for $3.14. And leftovers.

Less than 2 weeks until Opening Day (baseball season) and we finally get snow! I don’t recall any snow in town this winter at all.

Just a few days apart

Okay, so it’s less than an inch, but it’s our inch.

I actually briefly got that feeling I had as a child when the first snow would fall. It was always a thrill. Sledding and skiing would follow. I always liked being the first set of footsteps in the snow walking to school. As an older child I loved pushing cars to get them unstuck from drifts or ice. Really, it was a thing I did.

Today the snow is going to transition to a wintry mix, and then rain. The real question is will we get out in it at all. The sidewalks are bare, not cold enough to hold the snow so I can leave footprints.

Got out today before the rain started in earnest. It was not quite lunchtime when we were on The Ave. (University Way) passing the newest location of Raising Cane’s. It’s been open a month or so but a line was forming. A short line at this point but nevertheless  …

Our walk errand was a Post Office drop-off  and then we headed into campus and north through fraternity/sorority row. A fair number of students passed us, headed to class we presumed. Almost all were plugged into their phones.

Our front walk flowers are meh this year. A bunch of daffodils with a few more bunches on the way. My tulips are almost non-existent and you only see the back half of the plot because the front half is just dismal.

Maybe if the sun comes out again things will look brighter. On the other hand, I did see some good movies today. TCM is playing Oscar winners from the past. Today’s viewing included Some Like it Hot, and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.

So in an effort to move myself forward I made a list today. A list of things I need to get done.

I started into what my father calls Family Arithmetic. Paying bills, balancing accounts, stuff like that. I was caught up until the mail came with a few more bills.

Oddly enough, Family Arithmetic was not on my to-do list. So nothing has been crossed off, but stasis has ended.

I am trying to figure out what my new normal is. I think what I need is deadlines.  These may need to be self created and self imposed.

Tomorrow I will make a  to do list. Today’s accomplishments were somewhat limited; a short walk – including repopulating a book to a little free library, and making dinner.  I did complete some crossword puzzles, but they don’t really count.

I thought spring was upon us, but today the temperature had a distinct bite. We went on a reasonably long walk, in the mostly sun. But I chose to wear my long underwear for comfort against the wind.

Just a few errands but it got me out of the house. Tomorrow I need to find a task to get done. Perhaps back to the basement. After a week gone I need to remind myself what needs to be finished for the garage giveaway, and actually choose a date.

Carl is doing his share of house emptying. We had bought a bunch of grey hats to make into Kingdomes for our group on opening day. It was going to be the 20th anniversary of the Kingdome’s implosion. Perfect alignment of dates. We had made one prototype.

And then Covid happened and there was no Opening Day, at least with fans in the stands.

This year the Mariner’s opening day is again on the implosion anniversary. 50 years after it opened, and 26 years since the implosion. We still have the hats, and are going to try again.

In addition he’s getting rid of some Kingdome Snow Globes.

Hopefully these will make somebody else happy, and will lighten the load in our house.

Today has been a recovery day. Unpacking,  shopping, and not much else.

We’ll see about tomorrow.

Just under 900 miles. (897.6)

425 miles in California, 308 in Oregon, and 165 in Washington  – roughly.

Left Monterey just before 7 AM, arrived home in Seattle at 9:00. Really pretty good for traffic, except through Portland.

Mt. Shasta

It may have seemed like a small delay when we passed it, but I was glad to be home 20 minutes earlier.

After saying that I realize I always thought my mother was very nice looking. I think it’s the set of the jaw or something.

I’m a bit tired, time for a snack (aka dinner).

A few days ago we went to Pacific Grove and walked south along the shore for a while.  Today we started further south and walked north, ending at the same place we stopped a few days ago. Coincidentally there is a restroom at that location.

We saw deer, beachy squirrels, harbor seals, sea otters, oyster catchers, a hawk, cormorants, and sea gulls. None of these are in the pictures, except coincidentally.

We started the day at Katy’s Diner in Carmel by the Sea. It was good food and their eccentricity is that they only accept cash. We knew this ahead of time so no problems. After the walk we retired to our home away from home made lunch and relaxed. Dinner will be from Pizza Factory to round of the day.