From the Idyllic to the Disturbing and Back in Everyday Ramblings

This is a shot of iconic Reed College from Sunday. It is raining hard right now so I am not taking many pictures. I suspect the pink balloons are a hold over from the Women’s March but that is a guess, this is a college campus after all.

Most Honorable’s father was faculty at Reed and Kes and Most Honorable were married there in the chapel many years ago… Mr. Finch and me went here for a number of poetry readings. They have high profile classical concerts at their big auditorium and I had no idea it was a straight shot 20-minute bus ride away. Duh.

I’ll be out there more often in the future! Plus there is a beautiful rhododendron garden that is a great birdy spot nearby.

There was a mix-up at the dental clinic Tuesday and so I need to go back next Tuesday for my impressions. I admit to being pretty grumpy about this. The second major scheduling mess up in as many visits. There is this big gap between the professionalism and services provided by the faculty and staff and the support staff.

Something I have known for a long time about the institution for which I work.

Today as I was dripping wet standing in line, to see my regular doctor the woman ahead of me in line picked up a copy of a recent nearby Weight Watchers magazine with Oprah on the cover and turned to me and said “This woman, pointing at her picture, is so cruel, she lets her own father live in poverty…” Then she went on to say how poorly Oprah treated her family and how uncomfortable her sister was when forced to be on her show (but at least she bought her a house) and how this woman would always take care of her family first no matter what.

Inside I was like.. what??? Wow, this woman is suffering on some deep level. A bit later as I was filling out my forms I heard her sigh and throw the magazine hard down on the table.

I admit my first thought in trying to frame a response was, this woman must have voted for our 45th President, the guy in charge now, that incandescent anger from seemingly out of nowhere, the aggrieved self-righteous anger bubbling up looking for a fellow traveler.

And now I hear that the man himself, four weeks into his Presidency is going to hold a campaign rally in Florida on Saturday. Saint. Joe shared with me behind our closed door yesterday that his fiancés grandmother told them last weekend (while her Republican presidential supporting son was in the bathroom) that the news reminded her of the news and photos she experienced during the thirties as a girl.

The blank upturned faces, the he can do no wrong blind belief…

Shiver…

I am going to work with a Physical Therapist for a few sessions and then see if I can’t manage my back pain on my own. My doctor thinks it is nerve impingement and hopefully it is just caused by overuse and inflammation and that I can address with self-care. Otherwise my vitals are good and my heart is strong. All good news.

In a moment of inspiration I had decided a few days ago to take the afternoon off after the appointment. I went to the grocery (my back really hurt) and then came home and took a bath and went to bed and slept four hours. I think I may have a touch of the flu so many folks have.

As I was falling asleep I listened to “Stuff You Should Know” podcast about the Black Panther movement. It was fascinating to hear the story of a time one lived through as history spoken about by people too young to have experienced it. Ah the joys of a long life!

I called Comcast (my cable company) to renegotiate my Internet bill this week and they sent me a new high-speed modem for free. Hopefully the installation will be a breeze.

Tomorrow after work and the PT appointment I am teaching knees. And then I have three heavenly unstructured days off.

Last updated February 17, 2017