Thursday September 7, 2017

Blog time 1130 at Panera:

It was cold this morning, low 50s.  Up at 0630, it was dark, sun not up until 0714.  This morning I am heading to the blood lab to get some tests done.  No food until after the test.  Arrived at lab at 0730 and was out in 20 minutes.

Changed into bike clothes, packed a rain suit in backpack and headed to the Y.  My weather app said I should expect to run into some rain.  The app was wrong.

The Y was crowded.  Everyone back from vacation or cottage because all classes were full.  In fact some classes were held on the basketball court or outside because the class rooms are too small. Big design flaw!

The Alpena News reported two large ship wrecks were discovered in about 200 feet of water in Lake Huron near Alpena.  The ships were both bulk freighters.  One ship the “Ohio” was built in 1875 of wood.  It was 200 ft long. The other named the “Choctaw” was 266 feet long.  No mention if the Choctaw was wood or iron.  Collision was the reason for their sinking.

My Grandmother Hughes’ brother, James McTavish was a captain on a Great Lakes freighter.  He became estranged from the family so I know nothing about him.  I had a classmate who spent years sailing on the Great Lake check union logs to see if he could locate him, no luck.  I checked several websites but came up empty.

The London papers contained no significant news only fluff.  

Was it a good move by POTUS to bypass the Senate and House GOP leadership?  Politicians have long memories.

We spent some time in the afternoon getting tickets to San Jose for our Oct trip to see Debbie.  Also called our AC firm to get a PM done on our furnace.  Speaking of furnace, we used it several days ago to take the chill off the house.

Heavy rains passed through this afternoon.  During the rain we had twelve turkeys seek refuge under our big pine tree.  The rain only last about an hour.  So far this year we have not had an all day rain.

For dinner we headed to Brann’s.  I had a bowl of soup and Nancy a turkey sandwich.  I ate half of Nancy’s sandwich.

Kathi called Nancy after dinner and asked if Nancy could help her get ready for a sale in the Detroit area.  Nancy headed out.  I took Ms P on a short walk and then watched two guy shows, Hell on Wheels, Frontier, on Netflix.  

Wednesday September 6, 2017

Blog time 1000 at Panera:

Today is my easy Wednesday.  Up at 0630 and did my reduced calisthenics at home because I was waiting until 0800 so I could contact my Myasthenia Gravis doctor.

Nancy headed out at 0730 for MVP.  She is taking an aerobic class.

Called the Doctor’s office and told them of my problem chewing, talking and swallowing.  The receptionist said the earliest I could get in was mid-October.  I told her that was unacceptable.   Gave her my cell number and told her to call me after she talked with Dr. Santos.

Biked to Panera and had my standard oatmeal breakfast.  I got a call from the Doctor’s office and I have a 1500 appointment today.  Yelling works!

Read in the Alpena News that an AHS classmate of mine had passed.  Len Zolnierek was in several of my classes and very likable.  He had a rare condition called Myelodysplastic Syndrone.  Rest In Peace Len.

Some snippets from London papers:

Riots in Indonesia over Burma’s treatment of Rohingya Muslims.

An English School has banned girl’s skirts.  They want students to wear trousers because they are gender neutral and won't hurt trans gender folks.  PC gone amuck!

On this date in 1620 the Mayflower left for the New World.

Eleven US States are larger in land area than the UK.  Michigan is one of the states.

Got home from Panera about 1100.  Dropped off back pack and then took a 10 mile bike ride.  

Nancy is working at the Gardens this afternoon.

At home I showered, had a quick lunch before doing a load of laundry and taking out the trash.  1430 drove to Dr Santos office for my 1500 appointment.  Dr Santos checked me over and said both the double vision and slurred speech are myasthenia gravis related.  I am back on my medication for MG.  Tomorrow I will get some blood work done.

Last night we had twelve turkeys and four sand hill cranes in the back yard, a great sight.

Light dinner and then my after dinner chores before walking around the block.

We both watched an episode of The Heart Guy before Nancy turned in.  I stayed up and watched another episode of Rake.

Beautiful full moon the last two nights.  I think it is called a Harvest Moon.  Noted some maple trees beginning to show color.  

Tuesday September 5, 2017

Blog time 1200 at Panera

We had an early morning shower roll through this morning.  Nancy did not go swimming because she thought the pool would be closed because of the electrical storm.

I did my normal morning stuff and then headed out to get my bike.  Surprise! the bike with the new tires had a flat.  I got out the Bianca, pumped up the tires and headed to the Y.  The rain had stopped but it was cool, mid 50s.  

The Y was crowded this morning.  Folks are back from their cottages.  I did a reduced exercise routine this morning because I am a little under the weather.  I have a 1500 appointment with Dr Kutsche’s Physician Assistant.  Last night I had some major stomach pains.  I thought it might be my gall bladder or an air bubble from my CPAP machine.  However, I now think maybe I just have stomach flu.  I hope to find out this afternoon.

The US Congress is back in session today.  I hope they get something done.  

Speaking of legislation the UK legislature is now thinking of making Upskirting Photos a crime.  

French President Macron has as bad a relation with the press as our POTUS.  He does not give many one on one interviews.  He thinks reporters are only interested in themselves.  Sound familiar.

Hurricane Irma could be a very serious storm.  

Single engine prop planes are being used in Iraq and Afghanistan.  A prop plane is better than a jet for close air support of infantry.  They were used successfully in Vietnam.  Low tech is sometimes the best.

Ike warned us of the Military/Industrial Complex.  Is the purchase of Rockwell Collins by United Technology an example?

Quick lunch and then headed out.

Dropped my bike off at Ada Bike to get flat fixed before heading to Dr.

At Dr Kutsche’s office met with his Physicians Assistant.  She examined me and recommended a plan of attack to resolve my stomach issue.  I agreed.  Stopped at Meijer's on way home and purchased medications.  Also picked up my bike.

I sure hope congress resolves the DACA problem soon?  As I have mentioned many times I am a big fan of immigration.  We always need new blood.

Took a quick nap and then a light dinner.  Did dishes, followed by the news and a walk around the block.

We watched some TV before turning.  The cool weather continues through Friday.

Monday September 4, 2017

Weekend update;  sitting at dining room table, 1730 on Labor Day

Sunday the 3rd,  up at 0630 and get ready for Y.  Nancy swam and I did my mini routine.

Stopped at Panera for a quick cup of coffee.  Changed into our Sunday church clothes and headed to Trinity Lutheran.  It was cool so I wore a blazer.  I thought they had a good crowd for Labor Day weekend.

Stopped at Meijer's on our way home for supplies and gas.  Gas has gone up $0.20 a gallon.  I had a quick lunch and then a short nap.

At 1430 we drove to Kathi Kothe's for a swim and dinner. The sun was now out and temp in high 70s.  Nancy and Kathi spent time in the pool.  No pool for me because of my infected arm.

For dinner Kathi fixed baked beans and brats.  We also had corn on the cob and potato salad.  Great end of summer meal.  We sat on her screened in porch overlooking her great backyard.  

We got home at 2100 and quickly read the GRP before turning in.  

Monday September 4, Labor Day;

We did not Labor today.  No MVP or Y instead we grabbed Ms P and drove to Saugatuck.  We had breakfast at the Southerners which overlooks the Channel to Lake Michigan.  The place was jammed but we did get a seat in 30 minutes.  

We are always amazed at how the I196 corridor between GR and Saugatuck has developed since we arrived in 1968.

I took a 14 mile bike ride on my single speed this afternoon.  Encountered 22mph winds which made travel strenuous.  

Short nap.  Ironed several khakis before sitting down and writing this blog.  Light dinner and then some TV.

A relaxing end of summer weekend.

Saturday September 2, 2017

Blog time Labor Day September 4:

Catch up time for the blog.  Saturday morning we left the house about 0800 and walked to Panera.  It was cool.

Panera was empty.  We had our standard fare.

At home Nancy did laundry and I rode my bike to Breton Village.  I want a pair of corduroy pants and I wanted to check out Jos Banks.  They had a pair but they were $200 and had to be dry cleaned.  So no purchase.  I did stop at Rite Aid and bought a jar of Cetaphil face cream.  Took the scenic road home.  

Lunch and then some chores and a short nap.

At 1730 we drove to Bud and Stanley's on Four Mile red.  We met the Moleski’s.  Every one had liver and onions.  Very tasty.

Debbie face timed us this evening.  San Jose is having a heat wave and Debbie said her AC was going full blast.  Temps were above 100 which is rare for the San Francisco area.

I did not watch the UM/FL football game.  The big money associated with the college game turns me off.

No comments on the news because I did not read any papers.

Friday September 1, 2017

Blog time 1130 at Panera

We all slept in until 0700 this morning.  Lately my CPAP mask has been giving me trouble thus interrupting my sleep.  For the last two night for whatever reason the mask has worked fine.  Two nights of great sleep.

Bright sun this morning but it was cold, high 40.  What do you expect for the first day of fall.

Bundled up for my bike ride to Y.   I wear five layers and I pass runners wearing only a tee.  I do not feel over dressed or become over heated.  Must be my old age biology.

The USA is not the only area experiencing serious flooding.  South Asia and parts of Africa are also having records floods.

I read an article on Bitcoins.  I still don’t know how it works.

The Daily Mail had an article on the Aliens from the 1947 encounter in Roswell, NM.  Dead and living aliens are being housed in tunnel at a secret location in Ohio.

The comedian Shelley Berman passed away at age 92.  In 1965 Nancy and I saw Berman perform at the Top Hat in Windsor, Ontario.

After lunch I loaded my Bad Boy bike in the Escape and headed to Ada Bike.  I have 25mm wide tires and they are too narrow for the rough trails I encounter.  Road construction and just bad maintenance have made travel difficult.  I had them put my 32mm tires on.

They said the bike would be ready in 20 minutes.  So I headed to the Farm and 

Fleet store in Lowell and bought a mineral block for deer.  Last night I saw a deer finishing up the block I put out last winter.  

Nancy and I met Mary Namey and her daughter in law Mary for dinner at Houlihan's.  Mary arrived back in GR yesterday.  She has completed her chemo treatments and looks good.  She stayed with her son in VA while undergoing treatment.  She was glad to be home in GR.

At home we watched two episodes of the Heart Guy on Acorn before turning in.

Thursday August 31, 2017

Blog time 1100

The bat did not show up last night.  We all slept in until nearly 0700.  Nancy had to hustle to get to MVP for her Thursday swim.  

I headed out in bright sun at 0830.  Pleasant 7 mile ride to Y.  

Noticed that several classes at the Y were very crowded.  I assume it is because many mothers have some free time now that school has started.

I cannot believe it the last day of August.  Most weather folks consider this the last day of summer.  

Snippets from London morning papers:

Gene therapy is looking like a successful cancer cure

60,000 folks were evacuated in Frankfurt, Germany after a WWII bomb was uncovered.  Will WWII ever end?

BRexit talks are becoming nasty

France’s President Macron is facing a union backlash after he announced his labor reforms.  Labor promises a nation wide strike.  I hope Macron stick to his guns.

Quick lunch and we got in the Escape and ran errands.  First stop was Bed Bath and Beyond.  We are looking for a reading pillow for our bed.  No luck so we headed to Russo’s.  Nancy bought three bottles of wine and I bought a bottle of single malt scotch.  

Took a walk around the block and then a short nap.  Skimmed the WSJ and watched the evening news.  Harvey still dominates the news as it should.  It is almost impossible to get a handle on the scope of this disaster.

Tax reform is a hot topic but who knows what will happen when congress returns next week.  Special Prosecutor Mueller is zeroing in on President Trumps first campaign manager Paul Manafort.  Who know what will come of this.

I have a dislike for all Federal attorneys.  Too much power and ego.  

Nancy fixed chicken, baked potato and corn on the cob for dinner.  Tasty

We watch an episode of Vera on Acorn last night.  Very good.