Nobody is Promised Tomorrow. . .
This Blog started in 2001 as a Trip Log to record a summer in Alaska. Since then, it has morphed into my online diary.
Let us try gratitude for Easter.
Well, Carlton, I hope you don’t mind, but today I sent your little book to Bob. You never told me what to do with it. And it might help Bob with the hand he was recently dealt.
It is a tiny little book. But it was huge for you. It was important to me. And, it went to where it might be helpful.
Surprisingly, sending the little book along to a new owner was a little pleasure for me and something to check off on my Unfinished Objects and Obligations list.
Playing with MidJourney and its anime version.
Don’t forget that the Japanese are totally into cute. And, I am not sure that there is a good concept of easter. Heck, I always had trouble with the easter bunny and chicken eggs and the whole religious thing. These rabbits seem to be delivering easter persimmons. Or maybe oranges.
Happy Easter and Enjoy a Chocolate Bunny. Or two.
Today, I made it through all the paperwork. The death cleaning paperwork. And, I resisted the almost overwhelming urge to scan things before shredding. So, I get to check a big one off of my Unfinished Objects list.
Got an interesting email from the Northwest Passage trip. I had to attest that I can stand on one foot for 10 seconds. Also on the other foot for 10 seconds. And, how much booze do I consume in a week? Well, it depends on the week, doesn’t it? I consume enough booze in a week. Enough.
I promised to send this oldie to a couple of people. It’s always good for a giggle.
I like my foto better. But, if I needed a picture of a tulip and was too lazy to find one – MidJourney gets it done.
It doesn’t seem like much, but I continue slogging through stuff here in the Old Bat Cave. Today was devoted to “important” papers. They must be “important” because I have saved them for a long time. Some from 3 residences ago. I can see the end of the “important” papers project. There are damn few important dead tree papers these days.
Another warm day. With thunderstorms waiting to spring.
Enjoying the nice warm weather. That was my main accomplishment today. But, I did THINK about my Unfinished Objects. And about my upcoming trip.
I hope that the trip is as good as MidJourney imagines.
ChatGPT: packing list for old woman going on a 7 day boat trip from clarkston to portland in late april
Sure, here’s a packing list for an old woman going on a 7-day boat trip from Clarkston to Portland in late April:
Well, let’s ask Bard. packing list for old woman going on a 7 day boat trip from clarkston to portland in late april
Here is a packing list for an old woman going on a 7 day boat trip from Clarkston to Portland in late April:
This is just a general list, and you may need to add or subtract items depending on your specific needs and preferences. For example, if you are planning on doing a lot of hiking or walking, you may want to pack more comfortable shoes. Or, if you are prone to getting cold, you may want to pack more warm clothes.
It is also important to pack light, as you will be carrying your luggage with you on the boat. Try to pack only essential items, and avoid packing anything that you will not need.
Finally, be sure to pack your belongings in a sturdy suitcase or duffel bag that is easy to carry. You may also want to consider packing a small carry-on bag for items that you will need during the day, such as your toiletries, snacks, and water bottle.
Think I’ll dig out Peg’s Universal Packing List! And, if I were grading the answers. ChatGPT did better.
Found time to learn how to make a very easy very cute origami fly today. Actually worked on some of my Unfinished Objects and Projects. Shredded/recycled a bunch of “paperwork” that I brought with me to the asylum. Finished up my trip arrangements. I have a place to sleep every night and the necessary reservations/tickets to get from Point A to Point B.
This is a totally low-stress itinerary. All the flights and trains depart or arrive at civilized hours. Slack and downtime are baked in. Maybe not enough time in Santa Barbara. Fondly remembering many restaurants. And I have max seven meals in Santa Barbara.
The best of my week is frequently Sunday evening dinner with my accidental family. I realized how important Sunday evening is to me today when I decided to head back east a day earlier than planned. So, I would have a chance of making it home for Sunday dinner. Two hours with friends beats another day on the road.
The way back. After lunch on April 30, train it from Portland to Santa Barbara. (About 30 hours). Hang out in Santa Barbara, which I really like, until after breakfast May 4. Train to LA -> CHI -> WAS. (65 hours or so) Back at the Asylum in time for a shower before dinner on May 7. Amtrak willing.
Lovely warm spring day. I totally enjoyed my fitness trek.
So, I am almost all set for my little trip. Have to get someplace to stay in Santa Barbara. Somewhere near the Train Station. Because, if the train is late, I don’t want to have to walk too far in the dark.
And a fine job it did. And, they are all happily making new leaves. So maybe I’ll get more to bloom next winter.
Haven’t gotten the back home part of my little trip scheduled yet. I am struggling with myself again. Having a hard time accepting the limitations of old age. I know that after a week on a small boat with Zodiak runs, small hikes and visits to wineries, I will be exhausted and dirty at the very least. Maybe cold and wet as well. Get kicked off the boat on May 30th after breakfast with the promise of a ride to the airport or a holding pen if one has a later flight.
This is a good problem to have!
It hasn’t been all that interesting yet. But, the day isn’t over. Those gray clouds turned into big puffy white clouds floating around the warm blue sky. I am fine with boring weather. (As long as it is warm and sunny.)
I struggled to decide how to get to Clarkston, Washington. Should I go the cheapest way, the fastest way, or the most relaxed way? In the end, I decided on the most relaxed option: fly to Denver, spend the night, and then fly to Lewiston. From there, I’ll mosey over to Clarkston.
This option is relaxed because I can get to the airport easily on public transit. I’ll arrive in Denver in the mid-afternoon, and then I can either hang out at the hotel or visit the city (public transit works here too). The next morning, have a leisurely breakfast before taking the one and only plane into Lewiston. I will arrive in Clarkston a couple of days early, which is be fine. I’ve already booked a room at the local Holiday Inn, conveniently located near the boat’s departure point.
I’m looking forward to relaxing and enjoying the scenery.
I had to remind myself to: eat the cake, drink the good stuff, take the trip already! Not getting any younger here in the Old Bat Cave.
Today, I accomplished getting the reservations required to get me to Clarkston before 3PM April 23. And that I have a place to sleep every night until April 30. I’ll take care of that tomorrow.
Not complaining about Another Day or Another Sunrise. Just stating the obvious.
I gave myself a lazy day today. It was supposed to just be a physical lazy day, but I was starting to lose focus on the Unfinished Objects and Obligations. Forced myself to finish my photo book about My Covid Year.
OH JOY. Alexa just reminded me about Happy Hour. I must be getting old if I need Amazon to tell me to go to the saloon. Our saloon loses money. So, I am trying to support the saloon. It’s my duty as a good little asylum rat. (A bunch of the regular drinkers died off.) The “Beauty Shop” also loses money. I leave it to my friends to support that one. (The ladies who went for weekly shampoo and sets also died off.)
First a meeting with my lawyer. I was early and so was she. We had a good session. Sort of an 8-year check up.
Then I got my exercise in – walking around the old neighborhood. Every time I go by Carlton’s last game tennis court and see that the sign is still up, it makes me happy.
I had a sandwich, an orange, and a bottle of water with me. So, I stopped for lunch at this fine outdoor living room/dog park. Trust me, there were dogs. Big dogs. Little dogs. All very well-mannered city dogs.
Then it was off to the dentist. No problems were found. Finally, back to the asylum. 5+ miles. 13,000 steps. And, two things were accomplished. The Lawyer and The Dentist.
April 23 to April 30. And for my first trick. How the heck does one get to Clarkston, Washington? It will be fun. Wine and zodiacs, what could possibly go wrong?
Getting the trip nailed down and paid for was today’s primary accomplishment. Tomorrow the lawyer and the dentist.
Gotta say, MidJourney’s apple blossoms are better than mine.