From the Land of Rainfall

 Since the move to Olympia, I have not been in touch enough with many of my friends. This post may help a little, though actual conversations will be even better.

How's it going? Like this:

• I'm teaching three online classes this semester and dealing with the red tape and required trainings of two colleges
• unpacked with my brother for days after his and Mom's stuff arrived; a transfomer blowout killed the power while the movers were unloading
• had major problems with the moving company at all points of the process; I would not recommend them for any task including breathing
• unpacked my stuff on my own; it filled the garage, which only two days ago finally had room for my car
• bought and licensed a used car in very good condition
• supervised a bunch of renovations, including installation of a stair lift for Mom (which took weeks because of a glacial state permit process), replacement of a furnace--in the attic, replacement of a stove (a gift from my brother), installation of a step-in shower for Mom in place of a tub shower (still waiting to get the doors for the shower installed), minor repairs and drywall work by a good handyman, and I'm sure I'm forgetting others
• helped mom with unpacking and sorting
• cooked nearly all evening meals plus shopped for all the groceries and other things
• drove Mom to hair appointments and so far one doctor's appointment
• had a doctor's appointment myself
• rearranged rooms and furniture
• tried to settle in to my bedroom I'm at about 75%
• hung wall art with my brother though I have a bunch of smaller ones to hang on my own
• changed addresses and set up new accounts for things like internet, power, HOA, etc.
• wrestled mightily with Kaiser Permanente procedures and systems not designed for use by humans
• ran into ridiculous numbers of electronic and online roadblocks as I tried to do simple tasks
• figured out where pharmacies and grocery stores and Home Depot and shredding services and Trader Joe's and Costco and other things are, though that's still in process
• took astonishing amounts of corrugated cardboard and plain (moving) wrapping paper to the county recycle center along with glass; both glass and cardboard can't be put in recycling bins here
• recycled used electronics and scrap metal and a burned-out CFL bulb
• donated a whole bunch of stuff that we decided we never should have moved to Goodwill; gave away an extra office chair to the handyman
• tried to get on a routine schedule during the week, but both Mom and I are still adjusting and so I forget to check the mail or come back inside to find my glasses when I'm about to drive somewhere, or we forget where we stashed something
• doubtless I'm forgetting other major items

Busy is putting it too gently.

But there's much to like here. The land of rainfall and humidity has improved my allergies and dry skin. I've enjoyed spending more time with Mom. The south Puget Sound boasts good bookstores, libraries, and restaurants though I haven't had a chance to try many of the latter yet. Trees including many evergreens are everywhere. It's fun exploring a new area--I've just started and there's much more to come. It's another blue state--several neighbors have Ukraine flags up and one down the block posted an LGBTQ+ support sign. All the contractors and installers and such that we've encountered have been pleasant, talkative, and skilled at what they do. On all socio-geographic accounts, so far so good.

Gas today at a nearby Costco is $3.69 a gallon.

Plus I won $100.15 playing just $20 on a Planet Moolah slot machine yesterday at the Lucky Eagle Casino south of here. I've been checking out the local Indian casinos for an upcoming lunch-and-slots outing with Mom, or at least that's my excuse.

I have not had time yet to make new friends here, though now that house renovations are in later stages I hope to make that more of a priority.

And I miss my friends. All of you Bay Area people, I wish I could see you and hang out and sip beverages while talking and laughing until after midnight. I hope to visit briefly in August, so maybe we can arrange some of that.

I think of you often and wish you were here.