Thursday May 24, 2018

Thursday May 24, 2018

Blog time 1100 at Panera

Stepped out this morning into bright sunshine.  High temp in mid 80s today.

Nancy headed out to her Thursday swim at MVP.  After breakfast I headed to the Y.  I took my 7.5 mile route.  Are folks already heading to their cottages for the weekend because the Y was empty?

Today Panera started using their new high tech kiosks?  You can order and pay at these locations.  No standing in line.  Food is brought to your table.

I will leave Panera early today because Nancy and I are going to Countryside Greenhouse this afternoon.  This is an annual spring trip for us.

The NFL’s new policy on the national anthem is creating quite a stir.  I really am against folks telling me how to act.  I think the new policy will create more problems than it will solve.  We all have choices.  I choose not to watch NFL games if I know players will take a knee. 

I told Nancy I would be home at noon.  I just made it with a minute to spare.  Quick lunch and shower and then we headed out to Countryside Greenhouse in Allendale.  Great day for a ride.  The country side was very green and all the trees now have their leaves.  

We were both amazed about all the residential construction in Ottawa County.  I know there is a huge demand for rental and single family units but it is sad to see the lose of green space.

Countryside’s huge parking lot was nearly full when we arrived.  The nice day and the upcoming holiday weekend brought out all the folks with green thumbs.  Countryside claims to be the largest greenhouse in West Mi.  They have eight covered acres.  I think we covered every inch.  Nancy purchased hanging baskets and many flowers to plant in our deck flower boxes.

At home we unloaded our plants.  I then drove to Ace Hardware and bought  yard waste bags and a stainless steel grab bar for our master bath.  Our handyman, Randy, will install the bar when he comes to repair our downstairs shower.

I finished the afternoon with a nap.  For dinner we headed to Brann’s.  Nancy had a turkey sandwich and I had their lobster bisque.

At I home I took a short walk.  We ended the evening watching an episode of Inspector Lewis.

Wednesday May 23, 2018

Wednesday May 23, 2018

Blog time 1130 at Panera

Breakfast Club Wednesday.  Alarm goes off at 0515.  It was 49 and foggy when I left this morning, however, the weather folk guarantee no rain.  Stopped at Panera to get a coffee before heading downtown.  I need a coffee when I drive.

I have a ritual I follow when go to BC.  I take a walk around the block, Lyon, Ottawa, Pearl and Monroe.  I checked out the progress on a big multi story concrete building under construction.   Downtown has changed a lot since I last worked there.  All for the better I might add.

Our speaker this morning was the owner of a small business that provides help to elderly folks wanting to find a retirement or assisted living facility.  It was very interesting.  She explained the difference between licensed and non licensed facilities.  The cost varies but is not as bad as some of the horror stories we hear.  I did not know but I am eligible for veteran’s benefits.    I would use her service.

After BC I headed to the Y where I did my stretches and some calisthenics.  Stopped at home, changed clothes and then biked to Panera.

Nancy is working at the Gardens this afternoon.  This afternoon, I will do the trash and a load of laundry.  Our handy man is stopping by this afternoon to give an estimate on repairs to our downstairs bathroom.

I did read the papers at Panera and gleaned this and that;

The EU is confused by the new government in Italy.

POTUS is still ranting on about the FBI and their alleged infiltration into his campaign.

Do this years primary elections indicate a Dem sweep in Nov?

China continues to militarize the South China Sea.

BRexit still remains a mystery.  Will it ever happen?

As soon as I got home I had lunch and then started chores.  Trash and laundry are standard on Wednesday.  I also washed all the outside windows that require a ladder.  Took the plunger and cleared the master bedroom toilet. Spent some time working on my bikes.

Our handyman Randy stopped by and looked at our downstairs shower.  He gave me an estimate which I thought was fair.  The work will be done in mid June.

I did take a short nap.  Nancy got home at 1700.  She said the Gardens were busy.  

Light dinner followed by the dishes and a short walk.  The temp reached 80 today and we will have more tomorrow.

We watched a single episode shown on Prime tonight.  It was called “An Inspector Calls”.  It was weird.  We were glad it was only one episode.  

Tuesday May 22, 2018

Tuesday May 22, 2018

Blog time 0925 at Panera

Temp was 51 first thing with fog.  Nancy headed to her swim at MVP.  After breakfast I got on the bike and headed to the Y.  It started to drizzle after about a mile into the ride.  I made a quick detour to Panera.  Today I will reverse my normal routine.  After Panera I will go to the Y followed by a seven mile ride home.  The weather folks say the drizzle will burn off about 1100.  I sure hope so.

This afternoon Nancy and Mary will have lunch and then take in a movie.  This evening we will attend the summer monthly dinner of the three condo associations that make up our neighborhood.  The dinner is at Noto’s.

Every morning I read the “News Top Stories” in the Apple News section on my iPad.  Recently the number of articles seem to have been reduced.  Noted the same with the Telegraph section.  I think most news outlets want you to pay for their articles.  I now get most of the news from the WSJ, which I pay for.  

At 1000 I packed up and biked to the Y.  I did my calisthenics and stretch routine.  Noted that the Y now has classes on standup paddle boards.  They take up several lanes in the pool.  Standup paddling seems to have displaced kayaking as a favorite people powered water craft.

After the Y I took the seven mile route home.  Quick shower and then lunch.  At 1330 I picked up Ms P and headed to the Vets.  Ms P had several shots and a blood and urine test.  She was given a clean bill of health.

I took a short nap.  Nancy got home from the movie “Book Club” at 1600.  She said she and Mary liked the movie but said I would not have liked it.

Every morning I pass a lot of construction sites.  The preferred vehicle for workers are full size crew cab pickups.  These pickups are gas guzzlers.  I bet with current gas prices above $3.00 it must cost nearly $100 to fill up. 

At 1800 we picked up our condo mate, Sonya, and headed to Noto’s to attend the monthly neighborhood get together.  We had a big crowd.  A lot of new folks have moved into the neighborhood.  It was a very pleasant evening with good food, wine and a chance to talk with our neighbors.

We got home at 2030.  It was still light so I took a short walk.  No TV tonight.  We were both in bed by 2130.

Monday May 21, 2018

Monday May 21, 2018

Blog time 1115 at Panera;

It was cool, 51, and cloudy this morning.  Rain is suppose to move in about noon.  Yes more rain, bummer!

Bob and Nancy followed their normal Monday routine this morning.  I did take a detour on my bike ride to the Y this morning.  I stopped at the ATM at Macatawa.

I enjoy my ride down Spaulding Ave every morning.  A lot of open space.  There are three nurseries on Spaulding and each have big fields.  Nancy and I commented yesterday how long the nurseries can remain in business.  Their land is worth more as residential.  Today I noted a new sign saying Single Family Homes coming soon.  Bummer, I see a lot of wildlife in the open fields.

This and that;

Gas prices are going up despite the USA being the world’s largest oil producer.  The problem is the lack of pipelines.  Environmental groups are skilled in getting pipeline construction stalled.  Some folks say that the Russians are involved in creating roadblocks.  USA production is a threat to the Russian oil industry.

Today’s Telegraph had some great photos on the Hawaiian volcano eruptions.

Did the FBI have a spy in Trump’s presidential campaign? Who knows but I am sure the conflict will dominate the news.

The weather folks have said that in the first 21 days of May we have had only 5 days without rain.

I left Panera a little after noon.  It was raining hard.  First thing I did when I got home was take a nice hot shower.

I have a 1400 dentist appointment so had to hustle to get ready.   Today I had my teeth cleaned.  After the cleaning the dentist checked my teeth and said everything was fine.  

I stopped at Meijer’s on my way home to pick up a prescription.  Also bought a baguette and a refill bottle of shower cleaner.

We had a light dinner.  After the dishes, I noted the rain had stopped so I took a mile walk.

We had our cheese and apple snack and at 2000 switched to Netflix.  Watched an episode of Safe.  After Safe Nancy headed to bed.  I stayed up and watched Babylon Berlin.  Took Ms P out for the last time and it was raining.  

Sunday May 20, 2018

Week end update;

Saturday May 19, 2018

Blog time 1015 sitting a dining room table.

Heavy rain and cool temps this morning.  I got up at 0500 this morning and I thought I heard voices.  I had, the TV was on in the living room and Nancy was watching the royal wedding.

As soon as the wedding was over we headed to Panera.  No walk today because of the heavy rain.  I had my Saturday oatmeal and Nancy only a coffee.

Weekend Update blog resumes at 1030 Monday at Panera.

At home Nancy started the laundry and after some chores I got back in the Escape and headed to Woodland Mall.  I was looking for an unlined cotton sports coat that I can use during the warm months.  I checked out Macy’s and J Crew with no luck.

After lunch I continued reading the papers.  The rain had let up enough for us to take Ms P on a walk.

For dinner tonight we picked up our condo mate Sonya and headed to nearby Shepard’s Grill.  For a Saturday night Shepard’s was not very busy.  Nancy had a bowl of Navy bean soup, Sonya had a salad burger and I had their white fish dinner.  We all thought the food was good, I especially liked the white fish.

Debbie FaceTimed us tonight and we got caught up.  We watched an episode of Bosch before turning in.

Sunday May 20, 2018

Another cool rainy day is ahead.  This will be the last Sunday that we will be going to the Y until fall.  Trinity Lutheran is going on their summer schedule next week and their schedule conflicts with the Y.  So we decided to eliminate the Y for the summer.  Instead we will take a walk before heading to church.

Today Nancy swam and I did my reduced calisthenics.  After, we headed home changed clothes and headed to Trinity Lutheran for their 1000 Rejoice service.  Great Homily by Pastor Bob about love and forgiveness.  A great message that should be adopted by families, especially ours.

Stopped at Meijer’s for groceries and gas.  Gas today was $2.97 per gallon.  On our way home we stopped at the Chow Hound so Nancy could get some dog food that was on sale.

Lunch and then after reading several sections of the GRP I took my mandatory Sunday nap.  After the nap I put on my rain coat and walked to Meijer’s.  I bought some grooming items.  The round trip distance is 2.5 miles.

For dinner tonight Nancy fixed her world famous scrambled eggs.  Tonight we finished reading the GRP and then watched 60 Minutes and a new show on Acorn.  Nancy headed to bed and I watched Babylon Berlin.

Friday May 18, 2018

Friday May 18, 2018

Blog time 1140 at Panera

Another beautiful spring day in GR.  Sunny with temps in mid 50.  Despite being retired for ten years I am always glad to see Friday.

Special Fridays from my past:  

In the spring of 1959 I was finishing my junior year at UM.  I was going to go to summer school and already had a job in Ann Arbor lined up.  However, my Dad talked me in going to work for him.  They had a large job at Wurtsmith AFB in Oscoda, Mi.  Dad was a great salesman and I took the job.  

I was part of a four man crew that worked on the project.  We rented a cabin in Oscoda.  Worked 10 hour days but would quit at noon on Friday.  To get to the job I rode my Vesta motor scooter the 40 miles from Alpena to Oscoda.  On Fridays at noon I would get on the scooter and head home.  I would take a detour and stop at my Grandmother Scott’s farm in Hubbard Lake.  On Friday Grandmother always baked.  She baked fresh bread and rolls.  I would eat several slices of hot bread and maybe a roll or two.  I looked forward to my Friday afternoons with Grandmother.  It was a great summer.   Never once during the summer did it rain on my trips to Oscoda.

Today as soon as I got home had a quick lunch.  We then all headed out to run errands.  First stop was Lowe’s.  Nancy was looking for weed and ant sprays.  We could not get anyone to wait on us, so we left.  Next stop Costco to purchase Cheerios, wine and a pineapple.  Final stop Ace Hardware where we purchased weed and ant spray.

We had a very light dinner before heading out to the GR Art Museum.  They opened a new exhibit tonight and had a members only event.  The event included free snacks with a cash bar.  I enjoyed both.  The exhibit was ok.

We arrived home at 2030 and had time to watch an episode of Safe before turning in.  Rain predicted for tonight and tomorrow.

Thursday May 17, 2018

Thursday May 17, 2018

Blog time 1050 at Panera

Good grief!  May is going too fast.  One of my favorite months and we are over half way through.  As the song says “slow down you are going too fast”.

Another beautiful spring day in GR.  Sun and mild temps when it headed out this morning.  Sun glasses are a must.  Took my 7.5 mile route to Y.  

Nancy headed out early for her Thursday morning swim at MVP.  After the swim she is going to her friend Kathi’s.  They are going to a paper sale.  Nancy says Kathi is recovering nicely after her recent surgery.

Recently I talked with my sister, Helen.  She and her husband Don attended Don’s 70th Homer High school reunion.  Don was the only one in his class who showed up.

They also were in Albion where Helen, Nancy and daughter, Debbie attended college.  Helen did comment on the poor condition of a bridge at the edge of Albion’s Victory Park.  I told her I designed the bridge in 1978.  As Dad always said “Doctor’s bury their problems but Engineers have to drive by theirs”.

I still don’t understand net neutrality.  What was wrong with the net before President Obama regulated it?  I am generally anti-regulation.

The political season is underway.  Every day I get about two calls asking for my vote.

Some folks say Governor Kasich will run in 2020 against President Trump.  I hope he does.  I like Kasich, in fact I voted for him in the 2016 primary.

Recently my slurred speech and difficulty chewing have returned.  I doubled my medicine dose and it helps.  Better health through chemistry.

Lunch and then some cleanup before Kim comes tomorrow to clean.  Nancy got home about 1300 and I had her drive me to the Ada Bike Store.  I had a chain guard installed on my San Jose, Bianchi, Bike.  I biked home.  It is exactly 5 miles from Ada Bike to the condo.

I took a nap before dinner.  For dinner I had a beef pot pie.  

After the dishes I took a mile walk.  Tonight we watched episodes of “The Killing and Bosch” before turning in.  

In writing this blog I used Google several time; to find the make of my bike, the proper spelling of Gov Kasich name and the name of the Netflix show set in Seattle.  Google is an absolutely great reference source.