July 31, 2023

 Monday July 31, 2023

Blog time 1645 sitting in office.

Good grief the last day of July.  Summer is almost over.

Woke up this morning at 0700.  Our garage is being cleaned so I had to move my Fusion outside.

This morning was cool.  Temperature in 50s.  For first time in several week I wore long pants. The temperature rose rapidly so by the time I rode the 5 miles to MVP I was drenched in sweat.

First thing this morning, I attached my new speedometer to the bike.  It worked fine except the output was in meters.  Switched to feet when I got home.

I did my chin-ups, pull-ups and sit ups at MVP before heading to Forest Hill Foods.  I bought two cake donuts and a Starbucks coffee before starting my morning read which included the Alpena and Detroit News.

At home I moved my Bad Boy bike to our storage unit.  I still have to move my bike rack to accommodate Wednesday’s cleaning.

After lunch I took a short nap.  Tonight Nancy and I attended Happy Hour.  We sat outside.  Good attendance.

Dinner tonight in the Main Dining Room.  I had salmon and Nancy had the meatball special.

Tonight we watched the last episode of “Happy Valley”.  Great show sorry it is finished.  

July 30, 2023

Sunday July 30, 2023

Blog time 2130 sitting in office

Up at 0730, oatmeal breakfast and then at 0845 we drove to Trinity Lutheran.  Church was lightly attended.

After church we took a drive.  Drove west on Fulton to Lake Michigan Drive.  West on Lake Michigan Drive past Grand Valley State to US 31.  Heading north following Lake Mi shore line to Grand Haven.

 Coast Guard Festival is this week in Grand Haven.  Traffic was heavy.  We took I96 home to GR.  

The drive took over two hours.  We have not been on this route in ages.  A lot of development but still agriculture seems to be thriving.  The corn is tasseled out and the blueberries are ready for picking.

At home put on a new speedometer on my bike.  Of course I forgot to charge it so it was no use.  I also put on a bottle holder.  Today my ride was 9 miles.

After the ride I had a yogurt cup with grape nuts before showering.  I did take a sort nap.

This evening Nancy fixed meat loaf lean cuisine with coleslaw.  Cookies for dessert.

After the TV news we watched another episode of “Happy Valley”.  I think we have one episode left.

July 29, 2023

 Saturday July 29, 2034

Blog time 1618 sitting in office

Just got off a phone call with my sister, Helen.  I wanted to know if the high heat and humidity were bothering her.  After listening to her schedule I would say she is getting by.

This morning we were up at 0700.  Breakfast this morning at “The Gathering Place”.  The place was empty.

After breakfast we headed to Meijer’s to replenish our larder.  Meijer’s was also empty.  Folks must be on vacation.

While Nancy was doing the laundry, I was riding my bike.  I started out planning on riding to Ada a distance of about 7 miles.  It was very hot and humid so 4 miles into the ride I turned around.  

At home, I got in Fusion and drove to Ada Bike.  I picked up a new speedometer for my bike.  The unit operates like a cell phone picking up a signal from satellites.  It is very simple. No wires required.  It can be moved easily from bike to bike.

For dinner tonight we drove to Culver’s for a frozen custard.  Very good but probably not to healthy.

Debbie FaceTime us this evening.  We had a nice conversation.  Things are going ok in San Jose.

Tonight we watched an episode of “Happy Valley”.  I like this show.

It is now 2200 and after the WSJ I will head to bed.

July 28, 2023

 Friday July 28, 2023

Blog time 1415 sitting in office

Thank God it is Friday.  I woke up tired even before I did any exercises.  Today is Nancy’s swim day.

Fixed my oatmeal breakfast w/blueberries.  Checked temps before I headed out and it was 75 with humidity.  Today, first thing I headed to MVP a ride of 5 miles.  It was so humid that when I stopped at an intersection my glasses would fog up. 

Spent about 15 minutes in gym just doing chin and pull ups.  Other exercises I did at home.  Starting Monday I will do my chin-ups and pull-ups at home, so on clear days I can avoid MVP.  I will use MVP only on rainy days. 

Noted today that traffic on East Paris was very light.  I assume that a lot of folks are working 4 day weeks.

After MVP I headed to Forest Hills Foods a distance of 2.2 miles.  I bought 2 cake donuts and a Starbucks coffee before settling down to read morning papers.  Today I brought my mini iPad.

At home I showered, dressed.  Nancy and I were planning a trip to Meijer’s but when we checked the locker we found that we had everything.  Trip cancelled.

Quick lunch of a cup of yogurt.  This afternoon a took a nap.

Nancy and I attended Happy Hour this evening.  It was too hot to have HH outside so me had HH in the Harbor cafe.

Nancy and I had 1745 dinner reservations.  I had the fried cod and Nancy a shrimp cocktail.  After dinner Nancy attended Mexican train and I took a short walk before returning to room to finish  this blog.

Missy called this evening.  We had a nice talk.  It is now almost 2100 and Nancy should be returning home soon. Just as I finished writing this she walked in the door.

It is now 2200 and the temp is 81.  Rain forecast for tonight and tomorrow should be slightly cooler.

July 27, 2023

 Up once again at 0730.  Nancy was already dressed and heading out to MVP.  I did my at home exercises.  Since I made a repair to my at home chin up bar, I am slowly gaining confidence on using the bar.  I hope on nice days to do all my exercises at home and eliminate a trip to MVP.

My super duper weather app said it is going to be another scorcher.  High temp 90.  

Yesterday I found out that I was over inflating my bike tires.  Corrected the problem this morning.

Pedaled 5 miles to MVP.  Nancy was just leaving when I arrived. Did my normal exercises.  As mentioned earlier I hope to eventually do all the exercises at home, thus eliminating MVP except for rainy days.

After MVP pedaled to Forest Hill Foods.  Bought a bagel and Starbucks coffee.  Spent time reading the Michigan papers.  Got home at 1300.

This and that:

During my high school years the City would have outdoor dances on Friday and Saturday nights from 7-9 under the lighted tennis courts at Bay View Park.  The dances were well attended.  It was a lot of fun. 

During the month of June I would work at my Grandfather’s farm.  I helped getting the hay crop in.  The rest of the summer I worked on a survey crew at Dad’s company.

Good grief this is the hottest summer on record.  All over the world temperature records are being broken.  Ocean water temps off the coast of Florida are in the 90s.

Senator Mitch McConnel has a senior moment and the press has a hissy fit.  

Missy and AJ saw the film “Barbie”.  AJ was surprised that the movie was filmed in her LA school.

We had dinner in the main dining room.  We sat alone.

Tonight we attended a concert in Cook Valley’s theater which is across the hall from our apartment.  The group that performed was the “Brass Quintet”.  It was a great concert.  Nancy and I knew all the tunes.

After the concert we attended a cookies and punch gathering.  

July 26, 2023

 Wednesday July 26, 2023

Blog time 1500 sitting in office.

Up at 0730, today is my easy Wednesday.

Nancy headed out early for her Wednesday swim.

I dressed and got on bike and rode 6 miles to Forest Hills Foods.  I bought a yogurt parfait, donuts and a coffee at Starbucks.  Today I brought my mini iPad.  Bad choice I need a bigger screen to read the papers.

At home I showered, dressed and drove to Ada Bike.  I recently found a bike tire gauge.  I checked the tire pressure on my Surly bike.  If the gauge is correct my tires are 20 pounds overinflated.

Drove to Ada bike and they confirmed that the gauge is correct.  Drove back home and picked up bike tire pump and drove back to Ada.  My bike pump is wrong.  Ada Bike gave me a new pump because it is still under warranty.

It started raining about noon. It rained most of the afternoon.  Tonight we are going to Happy Hour.  We have dinner reservations for 1745.

Happy Hour was well attended.  For dinner tonight I had the salmon and Nancy had shrimp.

Talked to Missy tonight.  She and AJ saw the movie Barbie.  The movie was filmed in AJ’s school.

It is now 2100.  My last task today is to read the WSJ.

July 25, 2023

 Tuesday July 25, 2023

Up at 0720.  Nancy headed to MVP for spinning and treadmill.  I pedal 5 miles to MVP for chin-ups, etc.

After MVP I pedaled to Forest Hills food for bagel and Starbucks coffee.  Read the news on iPad.  Total miles pedaled was 9 miles.  It was very hot today, 86, and smoky.

Yogurt lunch, wrote monthly letters to grandkids.  Included $2 bill.

Took short nap.  Rest of day will include Happy Hour, hot dogs at Leo’s.  Will probably in watched another episode of “London Kills”.

This and that:

Met Julie Lensink at Forest Hills Foods.  She just got a call from Joe McAlister, an old neighbor.  Julie had not talked to him in over 40 years.  Called Missy to determine where McAlister’s lived.  Joe’s older sister Lisa was profoundly deaf.

I am tired of hearing about, Hunter Biden, the Kardashians, and anything Woke.  Include Harry and Megan in that list.

Several new movies were just released.  Nancy and I might see Harrison Ford’s new movie.

Why can’t we solve our border problems?

We must make a greater effort to help Ukraine.

I am hooked on Dried Mango strips.

It sure looked like it will be a Baden/Trump election.  Can’t we do better.

It being Tuesday we did have our hot dogs at Leo’s.  We also watched Acorn’s “London Kills”, two episodes.

July 24, 2023

 Monday July 24, 2023

Blog time 1618 sitting in office

Slept in this morning until 0730.  Nancy was already up getting ready for her Monday swim.

Fixed oatmeal/w blueberries for breakfast.  Pumped up tires on my Surley and pedaled five miles to MVP.  I did my chin-ups/pull-up, sit ups and pushups.  I do the pushups using a device that elevates my hands about 6” above the ground.  I cannot do standard pushups because of my arthritic right shoulder.

After MVP I pedaled 5 miles back home.  Showered, got dressed and headed to Panera for coffee and some reading.  

After Panera I headed to Home Depot.  My chin-up bar that rests on a standard door frame is too small for Cook Valley doors.  The doors in Cook Valley are wider than normal to accommodate wheel chairs.  I bought 2” dia PVC pipe.  At home I sawed the pipe to exact length.  My chin-up bar now fits perfect.

I have not written my monthly note to Grandkids.  Will try to complete this afternoon.

Blog resumes at 1930. Tonight we attended the 1700 Happy Hour.  Small group tonight.  We sat outside.  It was 84 and very pleasant.

Dinner reservations at 1745.  Tonight we both had shrimp cocktail.  I also had a bowl of tomato bisque.

Debbie FaceTimed this evening.  We had not talked in awhile. It was good to get caught up.

Tonight we watched another episode of “London Kills” on Acorn.

July 23, 2023

 Sunday July 23, 2023

Blog time 0800 sitting in office.

Up this morning at 0700.  Quickly dressed and had a yogurt breakfast.  

Helen is going today with us to Trinity Lutheran.  We left home at 0850 and arrived just in time.  Pastor Bob gave a nice short homily.  I was surprised but for the middle of summer, church service was well attended.

After the service we took a ride through downtown GR and our old neighborhood, Ottawa Hills.  OHN looked well maintained.

Before heading home Helen will stop at Granddaughter Paiges in Comstock Park.  She left our place about noon.

Nancy and I made a quick trip to Meijer’s to replenish supplies.  We also stopped at Panera for coffee and a baguette.  

I was getting ready for a bike ride when a heavy shower rolled through.  Instead of a ride I took a nap.

Nancy spent all afternoon doing the laundry.  Huge laundry because it was an accumulation of over a week.

Got a call from Helen.  She made it home.  Stopped in Alma to visit the Woodley grave site. She sent some photos.

For dinner we finished last night meal from Schnitz.  Watched 60 Minutes and then an episode of “London Kills”.  We were both in bed by 2100.

July 22, 2023

 Saturday July 22, 2023

Blog time 1500 sitting in office.

We all got up this morning at 0700.  Our guest, sister, Helen, spent the night in Cook Valley’s Guest Room.  She said it was great.  

This morning we all drove to “The Gathering Place” for breakfast.  The restaurant was busy.  Helen had cinnamon bread French toast, Nancy had the Western Omelette with raisin toast, and I had oatmeal with a scrambled egg and raisin toast.  The food was average at best.  We will try a new restaurant next Saturday.

After breakfast we took a drive north through Ada and ending up at Panera for our free coffee.  At home Helen and Nancy headed out for a shopping expedition.  Since they both have August birthdays the will buy each their present.

I put on my bike clothes.  Before heading out I put on my new bike bag.  This bag installs under the horizontal top bar.  It is big enough to carry my chain and small iPad.

Today I pedaled almost 11 miles.  My new bike is a joy to ride.  I like the wider tires and 11 gears.  A great improvement over the Bad Boy.

I got home at 1100 showered and shaved and put on clean clothes.  Helen and Nancy got home at 1300.  They said they had a great shopping day.  The stopped at Talbots, Costco and LuLulemon.  

I spent most of the rest of the day reading on my iPad and snacking. Helen brought cookies, muffins and a rhubarb.  By 1630 all the muffins and cookies were gone.  Not a great way to control my weight.

I read today’s news but found nothing I want to comment on.  Nothing will get done until our pols talk to one another.  What it wrong with compromise?

For dinner we drove to Schnitz’s Deli in Ada.  Sat outside on Schnitz’s second floor deck.  It was sunny and 81.  After dinner we walked next door to Scoopers and had an ice cream cone.  

Helen was able to hook up Granddaughter Kennedy’s soft ball game on our tv. We watched the game.  Kennedy’s team won.

July 21, 2023

Friday July 21, 2023

Blog time 1630 sitting in office.

 Slept in until 0730.

Nancy headed out early for her MVP swim.

After an oatmeal breakfast I got on my new bike and headed to MVP.  A distance of 5 miles.

Today I did my chin-ups and sit-ups.  For a Friday MVP was nearly empty.  Folks must be on vacation.  After the workout I got back on my new Surly bike and pedaled 5 miles home.

At home I took a quick shower, dressed and drove to Ada Bike.  I bought a new storage bag.  This bag is attached under the cross bar.  I will keep my locking device in the bag.

Today my sister, Helen, from Gaylord is visiting.  Helen arrived about 1500.  She brought goodies like cookies and a rhubarb pie.

We got permission to use Cook Valley’s guest room.  It is a very nice room with all the amenities.  Helen will spend two nights in the room.

We attended the 1700 Happy Hour.  After HH we have dinner reservations in the main dining room.

Tonight’s Happy Hour was lightly attended.  We had dinner reservations for 0545.  

Tonight we all had the shrimp cocktail.  I added a bowl of tomato bisque soup.  Nancy and Helen had the shrimp but Helen order a cup of soup.  It was very good.

After dinner we each had a piece of rhubarb pie.  Actually I had two.  The pie was very good.

We spent a pleasant evening talking. Helen turned in about 2100.  Nancy and I soon followed.

July 20, 2023

 Thursday July 20, 2023

Blog time 1700 sitting in office

Up this morning at 0730.

Turned on the AC before going to bed and had a great night’s sleep.  Today Nancy is heading to MVP for treadmill/bike routine.

Yesterday I bought a new bike.  It is a Surley.  The folks at Ada Bike said it it exactly what I need.  Today I hopped on the bike and pedaled to MVP.  After MVP I pedaled to Forest Hills foods.  I bought a yogurt/blueberry cup along with a bagel.  I read the morning papers.

Today our apartment is being cleaned between 1000 and 1100 so I decided not to eat breakfast at home.  Good excuse for eating out.

Got home at noon.  Showered and shaved before spending time making adjustments on bike.  Today’s lunch was a cup of yogurt with Fiber 1 topping.

No nap today.  At 1700, we attended Happy Hour held on the outdoor patio.  About 15 folks attended.

Starting tomorrow my sister Helen is spending several days with us.  I checked with Cook Valley and the guest room will be ready for her.

We had dinner tonight in the dining room.  We had another couple join us.

I had the burger and Nancy had a salad.  The burger was dry.  

Cook Valley has a new cook and we have heard several complaints about food quality.

After dinner we took a short walk.  The mosquitoes were bad so we cut our walk short.

No TV tonight.  Instead we are spending some quiet time reading.

July 19, 2013

 Wednesday July 19,

Blog Time:  1342 sitting in office

Up this morning at 0545, Breakfast Club Wednesday

This morning is a busy morning.  Today BC is moving to the Embassy Suites on upper Monroe Ave by the 6th Street Bridge.

I was a little apprehensive about finding my way around but everything was well marked.  We had about 16 folks in attendance.  The food was just average, scrambled eggs, potatoes, bacon and fruit.  

The speaker was a retired Coast Guard Captain who spoke on leadership.  It was a canned military presentation.

After BC I drove to Ada Bike.  I bought a new bike yesterday and dropped off my favorite Brooks saddle to have them put it on.  Will pick up the bike later today.  I want to thank my Nephew Jason Crandall who gave me good advice on picking the right bike.  Thanks Jason.

Nancy went swimming this morning.  She is having lunch today with Carol Masten, Becky Verker and Pat Haskins.  After lunch she will drive me to Ada to pick up my bike.

It has been over a month since I posted a blog.  I will add some tidbits about what we did during my absence on future blogs.

During my absence we have settled into a routine at Cook Valley.  We usually attend the Happy Hour each weekday starting at 1700.  About four days a week we have dinner in the main dining area.  Food is good.

Every evening we watch a streaming show on Acorn, Netflix, Prime, Apple+, or BritBox.  Right now we are watching “Lincoln Lawyer”.

We have been having great July weather.  I have been riding my bike every day.  Usually 10 miles.

Nancy and I continue to have old folks health problems.  I recently was told I have diverticulitis.  Nancy has some balance and memory issues.  But we are plugging along.

Every day I read the Alpena and Detroit News, the WSJ and Apple’ News section.  The woke folks drive me bananas.  I am also disappointed with our President.  

The situation in the Ukraine does not seem to improve.  I hope we continue to support efforts of the Ukrainians.

Locally, religious, conservative Ottawa County has gone off the tracks.  A group of very conservative Trump supporters have taken over.  Loony Tunes.  

Speaking of Trump I sure hope he disappears.  The man is a cancer.  The MI GOP is also way off the main stream.

When Nancy got home from lunch she drove me to Ada.  Made a final check of the bike and pedaled home, a distance of 5.84 miles.

Took a quick shower.  My skin is very dry so I had Nancy lotion my back.  

It is now 1655 and we are heading to Happy Hour.  Because of the nice weather we will sit outside.  14 folks were at Happy Hour.  It was very pleasant sitting outside on a perfect July and talking.

Nancy and I had 1745 dinner reservations.  Our table mates tonight were our next door neighbors the Reeses.  I had the salmon and Nancy had a salad.

Tonight we watched an episode of FuBar on Netflix.  It was kind of silly.

Missy facetimed this evening as did Nancy’s sister Peg.  Everything is ok with both callers.