Monday July 15, 2013

Yesterday we hit 90 degrees for the first time. The weather folks say the 90 degree temperatures will remain through Thursday. Today it hit 94. I worked up a big sweat on my pedal to the MAC this morning. The hot weather did not stop me from running outside. I ran about 2.2 miles. It did take awhile to cool off. I ended up at the Kava House. I sat outside and read the WSJ. I got home at 1300. Nancy had a 1330 appointment with the Doctor who performed her foot surgery. She said that Nancy no longer has to wear the boot. She is scheduled to start physical therapy next week. Nancy was given a prescription to bring down the swelling in her foot. We drove to Costco to pick it up. We did not take Ms P because of the heat. In addition to Nancy's prescription we bought peanut butter, trail mix, eye drops, kleenex and granola. I dropped Nancy at home and then got in the C2 and ran some errands. I stopped at Macatawa Bank to cash a check. Found out that the new manager is a graduate of Alpena High. We talked a bit about the home town. I also stopped at D&W to buy some Bud. D&W sells 16 oz bottles of Bud for $1 a bottle. Actually it is an aluminum bottle. I think this is a great price. We are having a light dinner. We have the AC on and I don't think I will leave the house. Summer rocks!

Sunday July 14, 2013

Today is the first day this year that the temperature has reached 90. Today being Sunday we got up at 0655 and headed to the MAC for our swim. I had a PB in my 1500 yard swim, 43'34". It took me awhile but I can finally swim the crawl taking a breath every third stroke. I alternate the side I take a breath on. I have been told that this is more efficient than taking a breath every stroke. I have been taking an informal survey. Most men, even good swimmer, take a breath every stroke. Most women take a breath every 6 or 8 strokes. Nancy does it every 6 strokes. So now I ask do women have greater lung capacity than men? Gas at Meijer's today was $3.87. This time of year Meijer's has all kinds of fresh fruits and vegetables. Nancy bought fresh raspberries today. We had Nancy's world famous scrambled eggs for breakfast. The only news on the TV today was about the Zimmerman trial. I am assuming that since it did not take the jury long to reach a verdict that the defense's case was strong (or the State's case was weak). After reading the comics I headed upstairs to take my Sunday nap. We turned the AC on about noon today and it will probably be on for the rest of the week. After the nap I was going to take Ms P on a walk but she refused. I took a 2.5 mile walk. I think that the scooter is the most popular means of transportation for kids in their early teens. How come I never hear a politician talking about converting to the metric system? We are the only country in the world using the so called English system. Even England uses the metric system. Speaking of the UK, did you know that in September 2014 Scotland will hold a referendum on independence from the UK. I think this is a stupid idea. Maybe this is why our ancestors left the country. Tonight Nancy is grilling hot dogs. In addition we are having potato salad and corn on the cob. For dessert I am having rhubarb sauce. It doesn't get any better.

Saturday July 13, 2013

We had another beautiful summer day. For breakfast I pedaled to Bill's for oatmeal. After Bill's I headed straight home and loaded up the kayak and headed to the Grand River. I put in at Ada. I paddled under the M21 bridge to the outlet of the Thornapple River. I paddled up the Thornapple to the Ada Dam. I turned around and headed to the Grand. The trip took 50 minutes. I wanted more time on the water so I paddled up the Grand for about 50 minutes before turning around. The total trip was about 4.75 miles. I know because I wore my GPS. Total time on the water 2h10'. When I got home I took Ms P on her mile walk. After a quick shower I wanted to take a short nap but could not fall asleep, a first for me. We are staying home tonight. Nancy is grilling steak for dinner. The only downside to this great weather is that the grass is turning brown. I reset the sprinkler to every two days.

Friday July 12, 2013

Today is a perfect summer's day. Bright blue sky with temps in the low 80s. After the at home routine I got in the C2 and headed to the post office to mail a package. I then drove to the MAC. I ran 2 miles outside today. I stopped at the Starbuck in Breton Village for a quick coffee and to scan the WSJ. At 1115 I headed to Lowell. I am meeting Jennifer at noon for lunch. Jennifer filled me in on what is happening in the engineering field. I am so out of it. We had a pleasant lunch. Jennifer had to leave early because she has to drive her daughter to a softball game in Battle Creek. Next week the temperatures are suppose to reach 90. Nancy has been trying to reach the groomer to get Ms P trimmed. The call came through at 1400 and they said if we hurried that they could do Ms P this afternoon. We got her there by 1430. Nancy had trouble sleeping last night so she is taking a nap while I write this blog and wait for a call from the groomer. I did take a mile walk. The groomer was especially slow and we did not pick up Ms P until 1800. She has a real short cut. Tonight we went to the Sundance Grill for dinner. We sat outside and ate our salads. Not much on TV so we were upstairs by 2130.

Thursday July 11, 2013

It has been a beautiful summer's day. This morning both Nancy and I went swimming. Unlike Tuesday the pool was nearly empty. Today instead of going to the Kava House I stopped at Starbucks in Gas Light Village. I spent over an hour reading the WSJ and I cannot remember a single article. Is this a bad sign or only that the WSJ had nothing of value? I did stop at the GR Bike shop in Gas Light and had them inflate my tire to 120 psi. At 120 the bike really moves along. The down side is that the ride is rough. I was going to spend the rest of the afternoon in the office clearing my in basket. I feel asleep so I took a short nap. I did FaceTime my sister and pay some bills. Tonight Nancy and I are going to GL Shipping for dinner. I have not taken Ms P on her walk yet so I will do it later this evening.

Wednesday July 10, 2013

Today I had breakfast club. I was up at 0555 and out the door at 0630. We had a great breakfast this morning. Scrambled eggs, biscuits and gravy, donuts and a yogurt parfait. We had a good turnout. The Speaker talked today about the "Senior Neighbors" program. After BC I stopped at Kava House and read the WSJ. I cannot figure out the middle east and I don't think anyone in DC can either. I read that the President is so fed up with the leader in Afghanistan that he might pull our troops out early. I really hope he follows through. Today is grass cutting day. I started about 1130 and was finished at 1430. After the yard work I took Ms P on her daily mile walk. After a shower I took a short nap. Nancy worked at the gardens this afternoon. At 1730 I got in the C2 and headed to Vitales. I met Ed Namey and Tom Moleski for pizza. Nancy had book club. This afternoon a cold front came through. We turned the AC off. Last night I finished the book on Catherine the Great. I started a historical novel based in England in the 1300s. It is now 2030 and Nancy just walked in. We will watch some TV and then head upstairs. Enjoy your summer.

Tuesday July 9, 2013

I really shouldn't wait a day to do a blog. My memory is getting real weak. The weatherman said that it would be hot, mid 80s, and humid Tuesday with a chance of rain. It was hot and humid but we had no rain in the morning. Yesterday was my swim day. Normally the pool only has 1 other swimmer when I do my laps. Today every lane had two swimmers. I had to wait about 10 minutes before I could get in. Despite sharing a lane I had a good time for my 1,000 yards. It was very humid on my ride to the Kava House and I was drenched in sweat when I arrived. I sat outside and read the WSJ. It was threatening rain so I postponed cutting the lawn until Wednesday. At 1630 Nancy and I got in the Taurus and headed to Meijer's Garden. Tonight we are working at the concert. Every Tuesday in the summer the Gardens has a concert featuring local talent. I took my raincoat. My job was to take tickets and Nancy was inside selling tickets. About 45 minutes before the concert it started to rain. I put on the rain coat and looked forward to a miserable evening. I could hear thunder in the background. It rained for about 15 minutes and then it cleared up. The concert started at 1900 and I was done work at 1930. I bought a beer, Fat Tire, set up the folding chairs and Nancy and I had a picnic and watched the concert. There were two acts and both were good. We got home about 2100. Overall not a bad summer's day.