Scooter Saga

Bad weather seems to be following Earl and me this year.  We couldn't even escape it in Maui.  Sure, it was nice at first, but then the blue skies and sun Lake Kai Makani gave way to clouds and the rains came.  It was different from the more persistent, but light rain in the Pacific Northwest. Rain in the South Pacific may be warm, but it can also come as a tropical deluge. Our sweeping lawn became Lake Kai Makani, the parking lot flooded, the beach views turned gray.  In fact, it was 64° and sunny in Lake Oswego and 64° and rainy in Kihei.  Go figure.  Bad weather in paradise?  It did get better.  It always does. No pool?  I'll bike instead Devices to the rescue?  Sue us. The highlight of this trip was hosting two of our grandchildren (the first two had come in January) . Of course, they were looking forward to all the Maui attractions, but especially our pool.  Except that it was closed for resurfacing.  ...

Just when I thought Spring was coming and severe weather was behind us, we were hit with a windstorm.  Granted, it wasn't a severe tornado–like storm more commonly seen in the Midwest, but it toppled trees onto homes, roads, powerlines and (gulp) knocked out electricity to thousands of homes.  Now, I realize being temporarily out of power is a 'developed world' problem, but we are an indulged nation.  I was born and raised a spoiled citizen and can live with that. Pollyanna to Elphaba Ordinarily, I can maintain a positive attitude in a challenging situation, so when Earl texted me at breakfast Friday morning that the power was out, I thought, "No problem.  Surely the power would be restored by the end of the day.."  After all, it wasn't the middle of winter, there were two fireplaces for heat, a water tank with enough hot water for a couple of navy showers, gas for cooking, and emergency supplies. My tech devices were charged (at the time) , so I was...

Triking up the street In the six years I've been scooting, this was the first year I found myself often weathered in. It's been a long winter. Snow, ice, wind, and heavy rain got me out of the scooting routine.  I have to confess to some reluctance that I attribute to advancing age and cowardice. If the street is wet, my tricycle slips, so I wasn't triking either*.  I hadn't seen my 'route' friends in months**.  It's not as if I haven't been out and up the street in a car this winter.  I just missed being outdoors by myself. The comings and goings Earl and I, living here 36 years, aren't the longest residents on the street, but pretty damn close.  Turnover is slow here, but eventually time passes.  Kids grow, graduate, marry, move out, even though we never age.  I was able to get a closer view of the new house being built and an update on the house for sale on the street. My new 'friends' Looking outside, the Oregon sk...

Unaccustomed to much snow, it doesn't take much to convert an Oregonian into a weather wimp.  We have neither the necessary equipment nor severe weather–driving expertise.  Western Oregon often hovers around 32 to 35 degrees in the winter, resulting in freezing rain.  If freezing rain coats a couple of inches of snow, we're screwed.  Unlike the flatter terrain east of the Cascade mountain range, the Portland Metro area and Willamette Valley have hills that add to navigation challenges.  But then, we also have our share of deniers (it's not going to happen... the kids will be home by then... how bad can it be?) .  Spoiler alert: It was bad. Snowmeggeddon commute Having disabilities and inclement weather has advantages and disadvantages.  I was safe at home in front of the fireplace with a glass of wine, while Earl was stuck in the 'Snowmegeddon' traffic for six hours.  Once again, technology was beneficial. The good news: I knew he was ...

Since our next trip to Maui was planned for New Year's, I thought this was a good year to try a lowkey holiday.  For an over–the–top Christmas dictator like me, this was no small deal.*  Fortunately for our meager approach to the seasonal spirit, some neighbors have bypassed decorations for trips to a warmer clime, so we were following a trend.   Although I do love the season, the idea of dismantling everything quickly, although others do most of the work, just didn't seem reasonable. Under the guise of not wanting to disappoint the grandchildren, I asked for their input as to good ideas for downsizing.  I have to confess to some personal resistance to scaling back, but I was up for it. My minimizing proposal #1: No outdoor decorating Grandchild response: But, you have to have outdoor decorating My minimizing proposal #2: No Christmas village this year Grandchild response: But, you have to have your Christmas village My minimizing proposal #3: No tree...

Like everything else, voting when you have a disability takes more effort, affecting every aspect.  However, I figure if people braved beatings, prison, and forced feedings for the vote, I can quit whining, figure it out, and just do it.       In all fairness, there are many special accommodations to facilitate voting for people with disabilities.  Oregon's mail-in election ballot makes it as easy as possible, but there is always something to deal with. Issue :  Discussion is limited by my speech impairment.  Solution : Patient listeners.  I'm still opinionated, but slower and slurrier. Issue : Filling out a ballot requires some hand eye coordination–certainly more than I have. Solution : I make a dot on my choice, and Earl fills in the box. Issue :  The outer envelope requires my signature.  The only one on record was an old legible signature.  Solution :  I had to send a copy of my new illegible signature to t...

As we neared going to Maui for nearly a month, I had some concerns. We had been going for ten years and I was worried that we'd become stuck in our routines and run out of things to do*.  Ah, the arrogance of a first world problem!  Earl could hardly wait for the chance to bike more in a warm climate.  Having a disability, I do less and do different things.  While I'm used to that and perfectly content with daily solitude, no longer driving ended our custom of Earl biking somewhere and me meeting him in the car*. From sea level to 10,000 feet We had friends coming to visit and were looking forward to their visits.  That pretty much solved my concerns.  Firstly, there's always something new to do.  Secondly, it's enjoyable to share familiar places with people who have never had that experience.  Thirdly, we had a friend to facilitate Earl's plan to bike up the Haleakela crater–his latest 'bucket list' adventure**.  I knew the way, s...