Monday, July 29: Went huckleberry picking and got rained on, which I knew might happen but I was not quite prepared for how much rain there would be. My pants got soaked (because I hadn’t worn my rain pants) which soaked my socks which would have been fine otherwise since I did wear my water resistant hiking shoes. But worth it to get the berries, since this would probably be my last chance to pick before heading off on a trip and some of the bushes are already turning to their fall colors so who knows what will be left when I get back.

 
Tuesday, July 30: With Mr. Karen out of town (he left on his trip last week) it was my job to check on the boat after the recent rain to make sure the cockpit drains had done their job. They had, and since I was at the marina during a non-busy time on a non-busy day, I had no trouble parking near our slip. I also got to have lunch and hang out with a friend while I was down in town, so that made for a nice afternoon.

 
Wednesday, July 31: The balloon I rescued from a tree along the mountain road last week has lost most of its lift and just bumps along the floor. Here is it staring down at me from the balcony upstairs as I attempt to get through my to do list before leaving on my trip.

 
Thursday, August 1: Flew from Spokane to Detroit via Minneapolis, arriving around midnight. My connection was tighter than planned due to delays getting out of Spokane, but I did get to my second plane just as they were calling my boarding group so that was a relief. I took this portrait of my somewhat tired masked self along the way. How my neck fan got under my shirt on one side is a mystery.

 
Friday, August 2: Made a couple stops on my way to the conference hotel where I’d be the rest of the weekend, including one of the shoe stores I frequented back when I lived in the area. Tried on these rainbow heels which alas were too pinchy even for me, so they stayed at the store despite their low sale price.

 
Saturday, August 3: Spent most of my day and evening on conference activities (classes, social hour, etc.) but spent a bit of time being annoyed by this toilet paper holder in my hotel room, which I flung the roll off of several times just trying to get paper off the roll. Why not mount it the other way, so the open end is not in the direction most folks are going to pull to tear sheets off?

 
Sunday, August 4: After the conference closing session, went to conveyor belt sushi place a few exits up the freeway, then returned to my room to pack up and collapse into bed.

 

*****
On this date in 2010 to 2023: No journal entries
2009: Conduct Unbecoming
2008: No entry
2007: Glass, Family, and Flowers
2006: On the Road Again
2005: New Adventures in Dieting
2003 & 2004: No entries
2002: WWJD If He Played Baseball?