Wednesday May 16, 2018

Wednesday May 16, 2018

Blog time 1020 at Panera

Walked outside this morning into bright sunshine.  We now have 14h43’ of daylight.  Love these long days, especially when the sun shines.

Today is my easy Wednesday.  I did my stretches and reduced calisthenics at home before biking to Panera for an oatmeal breakfast.  Made a quick read of the news and then biked back home.  Dropped off back pack and headed out on a 10 mile ride.

Perfect day for a ride.  High 60s, sunshine  and all the fruit trees are in bloom.  Everything is green, green, green.  I even got buzzed by a goose.  Must have gotten too close to nest.

Cascade and Ada Townships are having a building boom.  Apartments, condos and free standing homes are being built on every vacant lot.

After ride, showered and had lunch before starting Wednesday chores.  First chore was take out the trash and recyclables.  Wednesday is also my laundry day so I did a load.  Of course after these chores I needed a nap.

Nancy is working at the Gardens this afternoon.  The Gardens is undergoing a major renovation so finding a place to park can be a problem.   Nancy like the champ she is, is adjusting.

I got a call during my nap, of course, from Ada Bike say the chain guard I ordered was in.  After the nap I loaded up the San Jose bike and headed to Ada.  I can pick up the bike tomorrow.

We had a light dinner.  After the dishes I took a mile walk.  I enjoy these evening walks.

Every evening around 1930 I fix Nancy and Ms P a cheese snack.  I eat an apple.  Last night we watched an episode of Inspector Lewis before turning in.

Tuesday May 15, 2018

Tuesday May 15, 2018

Blog time 1135 at Panera

We had some big thunder boomers roll through last night.  Nancy was in a deep sleep and did not know about the storms.  Ms P got nervous but she is not as hyper during a thunder storm as several years ago.  Must be her age?

The temperature this morning was in low 60s.  Finally a decent morning temp.  After breakfast I got on my bike and rode my normal summer 7.5 mile route to the Y.  

It took awhile but I am finally back at my pre-cold workout level.  My recovery time increases dramatically with age.  Why should this surprise me.

The Y has a large number of physical trainers on duty every day.  I am surprised how many are overweight.

Panera is becoming a popular spot for business meetings.  Each morning I see several groups with their laptops and notebooks talking business.  I know this because I am a world class eavesdropper.

I did read the papers.  Stormy Daniels is finally off the front page being replaced by the father of the bride.  Why is this important?

I did not get home until 1300 so I had lunch before doing any afternoon activities.  First activity was to take Ms P on a short walk.  My next chore was to pay our car and home insurance bills.  I got on my bike and mailed the bills.  Next I stopped at Macatawa Bank to put Nancy’s ring in the lock box.  Also got some money for Kim who will clean the house on Friday.

With all the rain we have had lately my bike chain is showing rust.  I lubed my chain.  All my bike lights are rechargeable.  Removed the lights and put them on the charger.  Finished the afternoon with a nap.

Nancy fixed spaghetti for dinner.  After the dishes I took a short walk.  It started to sprinkle half way through the walk.  I am tired of all the rain.  I think all the moisture contributes to my difficulty speaking and chewing food.

We watched NCIS and then Nancy headed to bed.  I watched another episode of Babylon Berlin before turning in.  Warm and sunny is predicted for tomorrow.  Warm and sunny is good.

Monday May 14, 2018

Monday May 14, 2018

Blog time 1015 at Panera.

It rained last night and was still misting when I first went out.  The temperature was a pleasant 52.  I decided no bike ride this morning.  I did my stretches and calisthenics at home.  It was raining hard when I got in the Escape and headed to Panera.  I had an oatmeal breakfast.

The upcoming Royal Wedding in England and the volcano in Hawaii have dominated the news lately.  Did POTUS make a mistake in moving the USA Embassy to Jerusalem?  

The rain had not completely stopped when I left Panera so I decided to run errands.  First stop was the Ford dealer.  I wanted to buy a trailer hitch so I could use by bike rack.  The cost for purchasing and installing a hitch was $800.  Way too much, I discarded the hitch idea.

I want a simple cork 3’x2’ bulletin board.  Stopped at Hobby Lobby but all they had were expensive fancy boards.  I will check at Staples later.

Last stop Meijer’s to buy eye drops that my eye doctor recommended.  Also purchased tooth paste, wine, milk of magnesia and a loaf of pumpernickel bread.

After lunch I checked outside and the rain had stopped.  I got out the winter bike and pedaled to Ada Bike.  I ordered a chain guard for the bike.  

I finished the afternoon with a nap.  We had a light dinner.  After the dishes I had planned a nice walk.  However, my old boss Dave Despres called and I spent an hour talking to him.  

We both watched an episode of Call the Midwife.  Nancy then headed to bed and I watched another episode of Babylon Berlin.  It was raining when I headed to bed at 2200.

Sunday May 13, 2018

Saturday May 12, 2018

Blog time 1616 sitting at dining room table.

Boy did we have a big electrical storm roll through last night.  It rained hard most of the night.

The temperature was a cold 42 first thing this morning.  It appeared the rain had stopped so we bundled up and walked to Panera.  May 12 and we are wearing gloves and wool hats.  Go figure.  I had my standard Saturday fare at Panera.  We see the same folks every Saturday and everyone is friendly.

Nancy started the laundry as soon as we got home.  I put on my warm bike riding clothes and took an 11 mile ride.  It started to rain halfway through the ride.  I was glad for the heavy clothing.  On Spaulding there are three nurseries.  Today they were jammed with folks buying mother day flowers.

As soon as I got home I discarded the wet clothes and took a shower.  After lunch I started reading the news on my iPad.  Several times I would start reading, doze off and my head would hit the iPad.  I took this as a sign that I needed a nap.

For dinner tonight Nancy fixed me a hamburger.  I never get tired of burgers.  Debbie FaceTimed us this evening, everything is up to date in San Jose.  

We watched some Netflix before turning in.  The wet weather will continue.

Sunday May 13, 2018

Happy Mother’s Day!  I remember Nancy’s first Mother’s Day.  It was 1966 and Debbie was just a baby, 5 months.  We were living in Redwood City, CA.  For the day we planned a picnic in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park.     It was cold, damp and misting in SF.  We visited the zoo but Debbie’s was more interested in the pigeons.  Yesterday I asked Nancy if she remembered her first MD.  She did.  Some things you never forget.

Debbie, Missy and Steve all called Nancy to wish her a Happy MD. She really appreciates these moments.

I have great memories of my Mother.  She was very protective.  In High school I worked for Dad’s company.  They had recently hired a high school classmate.  I was surprised to learn that Dave was making $0.75 per hour and I made $0.50.  At lunch I told my Mom.  Much to my surprise she walked out of the house and headed to the office.  She confronted Dad and I got an immediate raise.  

Mom was also thoughtful.  In 1964 LTjg Scott was serving in Vietnam and for Valentines Day I got one valentine.  It was from Mom.  Funny thing the other four single officers in my unit also got a valentine from their Mom.

Mom also gave me good career advice.  She said I would never be happy working in a large structured company.  She said I would only be happy if I was in charge of a small unit.  She was right.

Today We followed our normal Sunday routine.  Nancy swam at the Y and I did my calisthenics.  After we attended Sunday service a Trinity Lutheran.  It being Mother’s Day the church was packed.  All the Mother’s got a rose.

Gas at Meijer’s was $2.94 per gallon.  We also purchased some groceries.  

We took Ms P on a short walk.  I had a quick lunch and then took a long nap.  After the nap I cleared my desk and paid bills.  I pumped up the tires on the San Jose, my winter bike, and biked to the mailbox.

Nancy fixed her world famous scrambled eggs and bacon for dinner.  Very good.  I took a short walk after dinner.  

We watched two episodes of 60 Minutes.  Nancy turned in and I watched episode 10 of Babylon Berlin.  

It was raining when I headed to bed.  The warm up starts tomorrow.

Friday May 11, 2018

Friday May 11, 2018

Blog time 1020 at Panera

It was cool, 42, when I first went out this morning.  My weather app said rain would start at 0900 and last all day.  Bummer!

After breakfast I got my winter bike riding pants out of the dirty clothes, bundled up and decided I needed a change from my normal routine.  No Y today.  I will take a six mile ride to Panera.  I hoped to be at Panera before the rain starts.  I will do my calisthenics and stretches at home.

Good plan, it started to rain as soon as I pulled into Panera.  I arrived about an hour earlier than normal.  The place was jammed.  I had trouble getting a table.  

Spent some time reading the papers.  POTUS’s attorneys both for him and against him dominate the news.  The White House must be a zoo.  

Will PM May ever get BRexit accomplished?  All the EU members are furious with POTUS for pulling out of the Iran deal.  Does the average USA citizen care?

As soon as I got home I took a shower and then lunch.  Spent some time moving my summer clothes around.  It is tough thinking of summer when temps are in 40s.

For dinner Nancy and I met the Moleski’s at the old Holly’s Landing.  We left at 1715 for Holly’s and got tied up in rush hour traffic.  A normal 20 minute drive took us almost an hour.

Holly’s has changed their name but the decor and menu is the same.  The Moleski’ and Nancy had their famous Landing salad.  I had a club sandwich.  We had a very pleasant evening.

At home we watched an episode of Safe on Netflix.  The show is written by American writer and Amherst grad Harlan Coben.  It takes place in an upscale English gated community.  Nancy gives the show a B- and I gave it an A.  Several more episodes are left.

Thursday May 10, 2018

Thursday May 10, 2018

Blog time 1100 at Panera

Up with the sun, 0622, this morning.  The temperature was 57 and my phone said no rain.  

Nancy has a busy morning.  She headed out early for her swim.  She has a 1000 dentist appointment and a 1130 lunch with friends at Rose’s.

After breakfast I headed out for my bike ride to the Y.  My weather app was wrong it was sprinkling.  I put on my raincoat and pants before heading out.   Took the five mile route to Y.

Still on my reduced exercise routine.  I will continue this routine for the rest of the week.  Both Nancy and I are feeling better.

I did read the news today but saw nothing I want to comment on.  I think my lack of interest in current events is because Spring is in full bloom.  Our neighborhood has blooming fruit trees and flowers.  I see bright green everywhere I look.  A truly spectacular time of year.  The older I get the more I notice my surroundings.  

I have a 1400 appointment with my eye doctor.  So as soon as I got home I showered, had lunch and then headed downtown.  Dr. Anderson spent nearly an hour checking my eyes. Except for some minor problems my eyes are healthy.

I did stop a Costco on my way home.  As I mentioned in an earlier blog Thursday must be senior’s day at Costco.  At home Nancy and I took Ms P for a walk.  

After my recent episode with a rusty bike chain I spent some time this afternoon oiling my chain.  Biking is now my main aerobic exercise so I have to keep the bike ship shape.

I took a short nap before dinner.  After our heavy meal at Meijer’s Garden last night we decided to go light tonight.  After the dishes I took a mile walk.  My time for a mile walk has gone from 20’ to 23’.  

This evening we watched a new show on Netflix called Safe by Harlan Coben.  We might give it another look.  We also watched another new show call Indian Detective.  I liked it, Nancy did not.  

Wednesday May 9, 2018

Wednesday May 9, 2018

Blog time 1120 at Panera

Another Breakfast Club Wednesday, got up with the alarm at 0515.  Some mild exercises before dressing and heading downtown.  First time this year that I drove to BC in bright sunshine.  Love these long days.

We had a big turnout today.  In fact the staff had to hustle to fix several extra places.  For the first time this year my old boss Dave Despres was in attendance.  Dave is 91 and was director of the Kent County Department of Public Works for over thirty years.  I worked for Dave for nine years, 68-77.  Dave made a special effort to be in attendance because today’s speaker is the current director of the DPW.  He gave a talk on the future of solid waste management in Kent County.  Good talk.  He said some nice things about Dave.

After BC I headed to the Y for some calisthenics and stretches.  My hip has been bothering me so I am resuming my stretch routine.  On my way home I stopped at the dry cleaners to pick up my winter coats and sweaters.  

Hung up my coats and sweaters, put on my bike knickers and headed to Panera.  Nancy is working at the Gardens this afternoon.  Later we are attending the Spring Gala at the Garden’s.

Yesterday was VE Day ending WW II in Europe, 1945.  I was 7.  I don’t remember VE Day but I do remember VJ which was later in 45.

As soon as I got home I started my laundry, took out the trash, lunch and then a nap.  After the nap I wrote my monthly letter to the Grandkids.  I ended my outdoor activities with a walk to the mailbox.  Took Ms P with me.

1730 Nancy and I headed to Meijer’s Garden to attend their Spring Gala.  Between 500 and 600 folks were in attendance.  The Gala is a fundraiser and they had many items up for bid.  We bid on several items but were unsuccessful.  Several years ago at this event we bid on an African safari.  We won, it was a great trip.  The event ended at 2100.

No TV tonight.  We had heavy thundering and lightning accompany us to bed.