July 18, 2022

 Monday July 18, 2022

Blog time 1620

Up this morning at 0715.  Checked outside and it was a warm, sunny 70.  High temperature today will be 90.

This morning Nancy instead of swimming is doing the treadmill and stationary bike at MVP.  Her tooth is still giving her pain.

Later today Nancy will attend her first Physical Therapy session.  Luckily the PT place is less than a mile from the Condo.

I did early morning calisthenics before breakfast.  Breakfast and then put on bike clothes and headed to Y.  Difficult time deciding what to wear because the temperature outside will be in high 70s during ride.  

Today I added two miles to my morning ride.  At the Y calisthenics and a short walk today.  My normal routine at the Y takes about 30 minutes.  Put bike clothes back on and headed to Panera.

Temperature was in mid 80s when arrived at Panera.  Ordered coffee and baguette.  Finished yesterday’s blog and read the Alpena and Detroit News before heading home.  

Tomorrow I will change my morning weekday routine.  I arrive at Panera hot and sweaty.  Panera is super cold.  Sitting is this environment in wet clothes is not healthy.  Tomorrow I will head home after the Y.  Shower and then drive to Panera.

Summary of afternoon activities:

Quick lunch and then headed to office for more reading.

Missy FaceTimed.  We had a nice talk.

Headed to Ada Bike Shop to get some hardware for my bike rack.

Stopped at D&W to mail a letter to Ca.

Today is son Stephen’s 49th birthday.  We did not connect on first call but will call again around 1800 EDT.

We had a light dinner.  Cheerios with strawberries.  Very good.

Steve called us after dinner.  Nancy and I wished him a happy birthday.  I still remember vividly the day he was born.

Dr Kutsche called this evening.  We wanted advice about Nancy’s headaches.  Dr Kutsche prescribed a medicine for Nancy.

Watched the news before switching to Acorn.  Watched another episode of “Crownies”.

The temperature was near 90 when checked Courtyard at 2200.  It was dark.  

The days are getting shorter.  We now have less than 15 hours of daylight compared to 15h21’ on the Solstice. 

July 17, 2022

 Sunday July 17, 2022

Blog time 1730 sitting in office

As I mentioned in yesterday’s blog thought I might have trouble sleeping after sitting several hours in an overstuffed chair.  I was right.  Spent a miserable night.

Up this morning at 0700.  Dressed and then drove to Panera to get our coffee.  I also got a bagel.

Fixed oatmeal for breakfast to go with coffee.  At 0845 we headed to Trinity Lutheran.  Very small crowd for today’s service.  Too bad because Pastor Dan gave a good homily.

After church we drove west through downtown GR, then along the Grand River to Millennium Park and finally Riverside Park before heading home.  We drove along Chicago Drive which is in a heavily industrialized area.

Before lunch I took a 7 mile bike ride.  It was sunny and warm, 80.  Today was bird sighting Day.  Wild turkeys were seen in several areas.  The geese in our area have been forming large gaggles of 50 or more.  When feeding they move from one side of Tahoe to the other, always in single file.  The cars back up while waiting for the geese to pass.  It is an interesting sight.

This afternoon spent some time on my iPad writing blogs.  Also helped Nancy fill out a questionnaire for her physical therapy company.  She has her first session tomorrow.  

We are suppose to be living in a paperless society but every time I see a Doctor I have to fill out a questionnaire.  I keep asking this data is suppose to stored on a master site.  However,  the databases of different health systems are not interconnected.  This is a major failure of the health care system.

For dinner tonight Nancy fixed two fried eggs.  I had mine on a frozen waffle.  Very good.

Tonight after the news we watched “Silent Witness” on BritBox.  It must have been a popular show in the UK because we watched episode 1 of season 25.

When I checked the courtyard at 2200 noted three deer watching me from across the street.  Tomorrow will be a warm day with temps near 90.

 

July 16, 2022

 Saturday July 16, 2022

Blog time 1130 sitting in office.

Up at 0645.  Dressed, took our pills and drove to “Gathering Place” for breakfast.  We arrived at 0755 and the place was empty.  We got our favorite table.  Oatmeal and egg for me and Western Omelette for Nancy.  We both had raisin toast and coffee.  Very good.

As we were leaving we noted that the place was 90% full. 

Today we headed south on a short drive around the airport.  It is amazing the amount of new industry near airport.

Dropped Nancy off and took the Escape for a fill up.  I cannot remember the gas price but it cost nearly $50 and the tank was half empty.

It being Saturday Nancy did the laundry.  A large one today.

Now that the painters are finished I cleaned our deck and put furniture back.

Also cleaned the downstairs concrete slab which is located beneath the upstairs wood deck.  The painters left it a mess.    

Today I took a 6 mile bike ride.  The entire ride was south of 28th and required no stop for traffic signals.

Shaved and showered after the bike ride.  Lunch and then spent most of the afternoon sitting in a nice living chair working on my iPad.  I have a small portable computer stand that fits under the chair.

Bad news after several hours in the chair my hip really began to hurt.  It might cause pain tonight when sleeping.

For dinner tonight Nancy and I drove to the frozen yogurt shop.  I bought a big cup of the vanilla yogurt.  Nancy had a smaller cup of mixed flavors.  We sat in the car and savored this treat.

At home we watched a new show on Prime.  It was called the “Terminal List”.  This show is a guy show.  Dark and violent.

Debbie FaceTimed this evening.  We reported on our health which we hope will improve over time.

It was warm and humid when checked outside at 2200.  I scared several rabbits eating our flowers.  We are overrun with bunnies.   

July 15, 2022

 Friday July 15, 2022

Blog time 1930 sitting in den.

Up this morning at 0715.  In yesterday’s blog I mentioned the difficulty I had installing a new toilet seat in a congested area.   I thought some pain might result.  I was right.  Last night was the most painful since the hip surgery.  However, once I got up and moving around the pain was gone.

This morning Nancy had an 1100 meeting with a PA working for our ENT Doctor.  Nancy said the PA determined her headache pain was not the result of her ear.  Bottom line Nancy will need an appointment with a neurologist to find out what caused the headaches.  Probably easier said than done.

I did my morning calisthenics before my oatmeal breakfast.  I use to put bananas on my oatmeal.  I determined that the bananas caused constipation. Lately I have been putting 5 dried prunes on the oatmeal.  Problem solved.

Today I biked to the Y a distance of 2 miles.  Calisthenics and short walk before dressing and biking to Panera. 

Panera as usual was cold.  I ordered my coffee and a bagel.  However, Panera was sold out of all bagels.  Bummer.  I substituted a baguette.

Read the Michigan news, Detroit and Alpena.  Detroit News had big article on several men running for Governor.  They were big Trump supporters, which means they immediately lost my vote.  I am voting for the only women on the GOP ticket.  

Left Panera at noon.  Total bike miles today, 7.  Quick shower and lunch.  

This afternoon I ran errands.  First stop was the Y.  My work out clothes in my Y locker have not been washed in two months.  I emptied the locker.

Stopped at Meijer’s for supplies.  Cookies, yogurt and dried prunes were purchased.  Meijer’s was jammed.  It was raining during my visit to Meijer’s.  Rain stopped at 1800.

For dinner tonight Nancy and I headed to “Bagger Dave’s Tavern”.  The restaurant is located less than a mile from the Condo.  I had a hamburger and wine.  Best hamburgs in town.  Nancy had toasted cheese with coleslaw.  We took the scenic route home.

Debbie FaceTimed this evening.   We told her that our health keeps getting better.

Tonight we watched another episode of “Crownies”.  Like that show.

All was quiet when checked Courtyard at 2200.  Temperature in low 70s.

July 14, 2022

 Thursday July 14, 2022

Blog time 1130 on Friday sitting in Panera.  I am a day late.

Up at 0700. Another nice day ahead. Sun with a high near 80.

Easy day for Nancy.  Most of the pain from the root canal surgery is gone.  Motrin and the antibiotic prescribed by the Dentist are helping.  Noted several black and blue spots on face.

I do some calisthenics before breakfast.  After I put on bike clothes and pedaled the 2 miles to Y. 

It must be summer vacation time because the Y was empty.  Slowly I am getting some strength back.  I am now doing my calisthenics routine a 60%.  Several folks asked where I had been.  Gave my standard reply.

After the Y I pedaled to Panera.  I was looking forward to coffee and a bagel.  Panera was sold out of all types of bagels.  Bummer, I bought a baguette.

Today I took my mini-iPad because it is easy to carry in the back pack.  I just read the Alpena and Detroit News before leaving.

Today Kim cleans.  She was almost done when I got home.  The house looked good.  

Showered and shaved before lunch.  Quick lunch before Nancy and I drove to Porter Hills retirement community on Fulton.  Porter Hills has two campuses.  The main campus on Fulton and a new location called Cook Valley Estates on East Paris.

Today we looked at two apartment at the Fulton Campus.  They were both two bedroom and liveable.  However, the community spaces leave a lot to be desired. 

Nancy and I told the Sales Manager we only want Cook Valley.  An apartment might becomes available in late August.  At that time I think we will commit.

On way home we stopped at D&W.  Bought coleslaw for dinner and Motrin to help with Nancy’s pain.

This and that:

Got a call from my Sister.  She has been facing some health problems.  However, being Helen she is shouldering on.  Will visit Grand Rapids later this month.

We called Missy after listening to her sad comments during her morning beach walk.  Missy’s Condo building is falling apart, she has no gas, the utilities are not up to code.  Looks like she faces a big assessment to bring everything up to code.  On top of the problems Missy learned this morning that her web site manager died in his sleep last night.  Not a good day.  But we said things will improve.  

Before my surgery I was given a cushioned toilet seat.  The new hip joint cannot tolerate a hard seat.  Now that my hip has healed I put on a new seat.  What I thought was a simple job proved to be difficult.  Hope with all the squatting and time on knees didn’t re-injury the muscles around the joint.  Stay tuned.

For dinner tonight we finished the rotisserie chicken.  Also had peas and coleslaw.

After the news we watched another episode of “New Tricks”.  “New Tricks” is our go to show for relaxing viewing.  

Bright full moon when checked Courtyard.  I even took a short walk.  My watch said it was sunset but had enough light to feel safe walking.

July 13, 2022

Wednesday July 13, 2022

Blog time 1630 sitting in office

Today is my easy Wednesday.  But it will be anything but easy.  Nancy has two Doctor appointment.

I did some calisthenics before breakfast.  After breakfast we headed to our 0930 appointment with our family doctor, Dr. Kutsche.  We did stop at Panera for a quick cup of coffee.

Dr. Kutsche is retiring at the end of the month.  He has been our family Doctor for years.  

He has prescribed medicines to help with Nancy’s memory loss.  The pills are helping.  We want to know if Nancy should upgrade  before he retires.  

Dr Kutsche said upgrades are not available.  We thanked him for the service he has provided, Bob and Nancy.  He did recommend a replacement Doctor for which we are grateful.

Our next Doctor’s appointment is at 1215.  Nancy has been having some headaches which our family Dentist thinks might be caused by infected teeth.  Today Nancy is having two root canals.

We headed to the Root Canal Specialists.  The total procedure took less than an hour.  The Doc said he thinks the root canals will solve the headache problem.  

Nancy is in considerable pain.  She is now on pain killers.  When we got home I made a quick trip to Meijer’s to get an antibiotic prescription.  

In addition to the medications Nancy is icing her cheek, 30 minutes ice, 30 minutes off, until bed time.  Then we are done with the icing.

We were provided instructions of what must be done for the next 24 hours.  We applied to the letter.

This afternoon I took out trash and did a load of laundry.  Typical Wednesday chores.

For dinner tonight I had some of the rotisserie chicken we purchased at Meijer’s.  It was good.

Watched the news while eating.  We then retired to the den.  Tonight we watched both an episode of “Murder in the Suburbs” and “Crownies”.  

Debbie FaceTimed this evening.  We brought her up to date.

Before bed Nancy took all her meds.  She is still groggy but the Doctors said it will take exactly (his words) 24 hours to get her system back to normal.

Noted a big bright Full Moon when checked Courtyard.  Another nice day ahead.

July 12, 2022

 Tuesday July 12, 2022

Blog time 1730 sitting in office

Up this morning at 0700.  First night since my operation that I did not have any pain.  Good news.

Nancy left early for MVP.  She plans on walking on the treadmill and riding stationary bike.

I did my calisthenics at 60% before breakfast.  Put on bike clothes and pedaled the 2 miles to the Y.  Did my pre-op calisthenics at 60%.  After the workout I pedaled to Panera.

Today I took my mini-iPad because it is so light.  After getting my coffee and a bagel I read the WSJ.

This and that from Alpena News:

This week the City is having its annual Brown Trout Festival.  The Festival has trouble getting volunteers.  This might be the festival’s last year.

My Grandmother (McTavish) Hughes was born in 1868.  Her father Dr McTavish was one of the first doctors in Alpena.  In the early 1870s two fires completed gutted the City.  Both times the City was rebuilt.  As result of the fires the City established a Fire Department.  Dr McTavish was the town’s first Fire Chief. 

At home I showered and shaved.  Total bike miles today 6.5.

Before lunch I drove to Macatawa Bank to get money for Kim who cleans on Thursday.  Next I stopped at ACE Hardware and bought a bolt and nut for our deck glider.  I also bought a cushioned toilet seat.  

Before lunch, I fixed the deck glider.  Lunch today was yogurt, apple, pudding and a glass of milk.

Today the painters have finished our Condo.  Looks good.  Now they have a big job cleaning up.

Spent most of afternoon reading in office.  Finished the afternoon with a short nap.

For dinner tonight I had a bowl of Cheerios with blueberries.  I never tire of Cheerios.

After the dishes I took a 0.75 mile walk.  Great evening for a walk.

Tonight we watched another episode of Crownies.  I think we have 9 episodes left.

Bright moon when checked Courtyard.  Rain expected later tonight.