Thursday February 15, 2018

Thursday February 15, 2018

Blog time 0855 at Panera

It was dark and gloomy when I first went out this morning.  Temp was 38 and high today will be 41.  Yuk

Nancy headed out to MVP for her Thursday swim.  I had breakfast and then  got out the bike and pedaled to Panera.  I am trying to minimize my walking so warm temps have cleared the snow off the sidewalks making bike riding possible.  I will leave Panera at 1000 and head to the Y for some calisthenics and a swim.

The school shooting in Florida was horrendous.  I really don’t know the answer short of banning all guns.  

We have been watching the Olympics every evening.  For some reason I don’t think the camera work is as good as in past Olympics.  There are not many close up shots of skiers barreling down the slopes.  Whoever invented Luge?  I think Curling is more interesting.  

The President has made some recent comments that I thought were reasonable and not the least bit inflammatory.  However, the news media thinks different and starts attacking the President.  They have lost their ability to be objective.  I think it is mob mentality.  They love to pile on.

Believe it or not but Grand Rapids was considered the most livable place to live in the USA.  Take that you coastals!

Great to be back on the bike if only for a few days.  Biking is a very efficient way to travel.

I got in the pool at 1100 a perfect time because I had my choice of lanes.  At 1115 every lane was in use.

Quick lunch and then Nancy and I got in the Escape and headed to the Tanger’s Outlet Mall.  Thursday is a great day to visit the mall because it was nearly empty.  I have been told that on weekends it is hard to get a parking place.  Nancy made one purchase and I came up empty handed.

No walk today.  I did get my 30 minutes in because of the bike ride.  I took a short nap.  For dinner we headed to Brann’s.  I had their Lobster Bisque and Nancy a turkey sandwich.  Of course I ate half of Nancy’s sandwich.  

We watched the Olympics before heading to bed.  The temperature was 29 at bedtime and will remain below freezing until Saturday afternoon.  

Wednesday February 14, 2018

Wednesday February 14, 2018

Blog time 0830 sitting at Kitchen Table

Happy Valentines Day!  

It was 26 degrees early this morning with today’s high expected to be 40.  I am sitting at the Kitchen table waiting for the plumber.

Rain is predicted for tomorrow.  Rain, good grief I would rather have snow.

Last night at 0300 I got up to close the bedroom window.  Looked out the window and saw two deer eating the corn I had put out.  They must have a great sense of smell and great night vision to find the corn in darkness and deep snow.  They just eat the kernels and leave the cob.

The plumber arrived at 0845.  It took him 30 minutes to replace the frost free faucet.  

Walked to Panera in bright sunshine.    I had an oatmeal breakfast before starting reading the news.

Today is Ash Wednesday.  I know that because I saw several men at Panera with ash marks on their foreheads.  

A Valentine story from my archives.  In 1964 I was single and a Navy LTjg stationed in Vietnam.  I was one of five Navy Civil Engineers in my group.  We were all in our mid 20s and single.  For Valentine’s Day 1964 we all received just one Valentine.  That Valentine was from Mom.  God Bless Moms everywhere.

Forget the Miracle on Ice, the USA won the hockey gold metal at the 1960 games.  The Olympics were held at Squaw Valley, CA.  Best of all the hockey games were played outdoors.  Hockey should always be played outdoors.  

Finally Congress and POTUS are talking about a new gas tax.  $0.25 a gallon has been proposed.  Great idea because the fee does not increase the deficit.  Opponents can buy an electric car and stop global warming.  A win-win.

Nancy worked at the Garden’s this afternoon.  She said they were busy.  That what sunshine does, it gets folks out of the house.

I spent the afternoon doing laundry, taking out trash, and putting new batteries in our indoor/outdoor thermometers.  Also put out more corn for the deer.  Today I made our annual contribution to the Grandkids education fund.  Of course it would not be Wednesday without a nap.

Light dinner and then we watched the news, Jeopardy and the Olympics.  Disappointed to see that both the Men and Women Hockey teams lost.

Tuesday February 13, 2018

Tuesday February 13, 2018

Blog time 0915 at Panera

It was 10 degrees when I first went out this morning.  The weather folks say we having a warming trend coming.  Wednesday and Thursday will have highs near 40.

Tuesday so Nancy headed out early for her swim at MVP.  I had breakfast and left at 0800 in bright sun.  Sun is good.

Walked to Panera for coffee and chance to read news.  At 1000 I will walk to the Y for a 30’ swim.  My new winter routine.

Read with interest that the small rural NE Mi school district of Hillman has received a grant to install WiFi in school buses.  Good idea.

I did some calisthenics before my swim.  Swimming wipes me out.  The 1.67 mile walk home was tiring.  I will be glad when the walks are clear and I can ride my bike.  In fact I just sent an email to Cascade Twp on their bad snowplowing.

I had a quick lunch. During the day we have been using our living room for reading and watching TV.  On sunny days it is very bright and comfortable.  Nancy sits on the couch and reads and watches TV.  Today I joined her and finished reading the WSJ.

I am so tired reading about the infighting in congress and in POTUS’s administration that I skip all articles dealing with these conflicts.  Am I in the majority?

Will the UK ever get our of the EU.  The BRexit negotiations seem stalled.

Facebook, Snapchat, Twitter and other Social Media outlets are getting some bad press.  I am glad I quit Facebook.  I can bore folks with this blog.

We have been watching the Olympics.  The USA speed skaters are disappointing.  Back in the 40s and early 50s Michigan had some medal winning speed skaters.  I would get to see them because they would race at Alpena’s annual Michigan Outdoor Speed Skating finals.

Growing up the Winter Olympics were not a big deal.  I think the reason being that we did not have TV until 1956.  The Winter Olympics are made for TV.

I did take a nap this afternoon.  After the nap I headed downstairs to my office.  I spent several hours on the computer.  

For dinner Nancy fixed pork with dressing.  Also Lima beans and spinach pie.  Good.

Early this evening we watched the news, Jeopardy and finished reading the GRP.  Finished the evening watching the Olympics.

Monday February 12, 2018

Monday February 12, 2018

It was cold, 12, when first went out this morning.  Nancy headed out to MVP for a class.  I stayed home and did my entire routine at home including a 2K row.  This morning our plumber is stopping by to replace an outside faucet that is leaking.  The faucet is frost proof but not leak proof.   

After exercises I showered, had breakfast and waited for the plumber.  The Plumber called at 0900 and said he had to cancel.  Apparently a lot of folks had frozen pipes.  Frozen pipes have priority over leaking faucets.  Rescheduled to Wednesday morning.

Walked to Panera in bright sunshine.  The walks still have not been plowed so had to walk in street.

This and that from the morning news;

Why do I dislike State AGs;  both NYs AG and MIs AG are in the news with high profile investigations.  They make grandstanding appearances.  It always appears they running for higher office.   Michigan’s Schuette certainly is running for governor.  He will not get my vote.

PONTUS is announcing his infrastructure program today.  It looks like smoke and mirrors.  Why not just raise gas tax and user fees for airport and water and sewer projects.  It is fair.  If you don’t use the utility you do not pay the fees.  It looks simple to me!

It is 1120 and the Dow J is up 257 but will it remain up at close.  Volatility is the word.  

Electric car development is moving faster than most folks expected.  Cobalt is a key ingredient in making the batteries.  The Congo is the world’s largest producer.  China has a large share of cobalt supply.  The price of cobalt has gone through the roof.  I think it is only a matter of time before the cost for electric cars skyrockets.  Why not hydrogen?

I was happy to see when I left Panera that the walks had been plowed.  However, they did such a lousy job that walking was more difficult than before.  I will send an email to Cascade Twp.

Nancy was attending a new Book Club at the EGR Library this afternoon.  Quick lunch and then I jumped in the Escape and headed to Costco.  I bought a big bottle of wine, Cetaphil dry skin lotion and a bag of dried figs.

Spent several hours in the office.  This evening Nancy and I are attending a special showing of the NG film Jerusalem.  The show starts at 1830 so we had a quick dinner before heading out at 1715.  We were told that the show was sold out so get to the cinema early to get your seat.  They were right every single seat was filled.  

The show was sponsored by the interfaith council.  In attendance were members of Christian churches, Jewish Synagogue and the local Muslim Mosque.  It was a good film.  After the film Local leaders of the three Religions each gave their impressions of Jerusalem.  They had just returned from a visit.  Good evening.

At home we watched the Olympics.  We both were in bed by 2200.

Sunday February 11, 2018

Weekend Update

Saturday February 10, 2018

Blog time 1145 at Cascade Library

It was 18 with light snow this morning.  Nancy and I bundled up and walked to Panera for breakfast.  We decided to have an early dinner tonight at Rose’s in East Grand Rapids.

Cascade Twp still has not plowed their sidewalks so we walked in the street.  Not a safe thing to do.

At home Nancy started the laundry.  I walked to Macatawa Bank to make a deposit and then continued on to the Library.

The Library as usual was busy.  I found a comfortable chair and finished Friday’s blog and read the news.  Sitting next to me was a fellow civil engineer, Gordon Start.  Gordon and I were classmates at UM.  

At home put away my laundry and then a short nap.  At 1545 we headed out to Rose’s on Reeds Lake for an early dinner.  We had no problem getting a table near the lake.  15 minutes later they had a waiting list.  The food is always good at Rose’s.  I had a bowl of butternut squash bisque and Nancy had a turkey cranberry sandwich.  We gave Rose’s an A.

This evening we watched the Olympics.  Debbie FaceTimed us.  We always enjoy our FaceTime conversations.  

Sunday February 11, 2018:  

Blog time 2120 sitting in den;

We had four inches of snow overnight.  I shoveled our short walk.  Temp was in mid teens when we headed out to the Y.  Nancy swam and I did mild calisthenics and a 2K row.

It was still snowing when we left the Y.  Most roads had not been cleared.  Thank God for AWD.  At home changed clothes and headed to Trinity Lutheran.  We were surprised that with driving being so treacherous so many folks showed up for the 1000 service.  

I was surprised that Lent starts on Valentine’s Day.  Easter is April 1st.  I just Googled the earliest date for Easter and it was March 22.

After church we headed to Meijer’s for gas and groceries.  Surprise again, Meijer’s was crowded.  Parking was difficult because the plows could not keep the parking lot clear.

At home unloaded the groceries.  I took the Taurus to D&W and filled it up.  Gas was $2.54 per gallon.  I sure wish Nancy would let me trade in the Taurus.  It is getting a little long in the tooth.  Also made a quick stop at Chow Hound to buy a bag of corn.

Quick lunch and then a short nap.  After the nap I shoveled the walk.  I walked to our back yard to grab our sled.  The snow was about a foot deep.  I put the bag of corn on the sled and headed back.  Had to shovel out three spots in the snow so the deer can see the corn.

Finished my outdoor activities with a walk around the block.  Nancy fixed her world famous scrambled eggs for dinner.  She added spinach to the eggs.  Great addition!  

Watched 60 Minutes and then the Olympics.  We headed to bed at 2130.

Friday February 9, 2018

Friday February 9, 2018

Blog time 0910 at Panera

Bob and Nancy had trouble sleeping last night.  We were both reading at 0300.  We did not have any pain, we just couldn’t sleep.  It might be a senior thing.  Snow did not start until 0500 this morning.

When first went out we had about an inch of snow on the ground.  I shoveled.

Nancy headed to her class at MVP and I had breakfast and then walked to Panera.  I will read some news and write my blog until 1000. 

What about that stock market!  It gives and it takes away.  The Congress passed a spending bill that will put my grandkids in poverty.  What ever happened to fiscal discipline?

At 1000 I walked to the Y.  Light calisthenics and then jumped in pool and swam 30 minutes.  The long walk, 1.66 miles, through loose snow wiped me out.

Kim cleaned this morning.  The house looks great.  Lunch and then Nancy and I headed out to Fidelity.  We discussed setting up an account to handle some family financials.  

Stopped at Trader Joe’s to get some Chilean wine and a baguette.  Next we stopped at Sam’s Club to check out their quiche.  It was available so Nancy can stop by next week and buy some for her Friday Book Club.  I bought a tub of Pinconning soft cheese.

Spent time in office before taking a nap.  For dinner we finished the chili.  We also had several slices from the baguette.

Watched the news and Jeopardy before switching to the Winter Olympics.  We watched the opening ceremonies.

The cold and snow continues.  Today I shovel our little walk three times.

Thursday February 8, 2018

Thursday February 8, 2018

Blog time 0900 at Panera

The cold continues.  15 when first went out this morning with a light dusting of snow.  I shoveled our short walk.

Nancy headed out early for her Thursday swim.  Later today she has to attend at training session at the Gardens.  Tonight we are having dinner at Houlihan’s.  Nancy has a coupon.

Last night I started my super duper pill to alleviate my hip pain.  It helped a little bit.  Today after breakfast I walked directly to Panera.  At 1000 I will walk to the Y for calisthenics and swim.  I am trying to work a swim in my plan during winter months.

This and that from the news:

The President’s idea for a military parade is not popular.  I think it is a bad idea.

 Nancy Pelosi talks for eight hours.  Does anyone listen?

Congress has reached a budget deal but it is a steep price, $300 billion over two years.  How are they going to pay for this?

Will the flu impact Olympic performances.  The Alpena News reported on several local high school sports events where teams had trouble fielding at team because of the flu.

The photos of the collapsed multistory building in Taiwan are another example of the power of Mother Nature.

At 1000 I left Panera and walked to the Y.  I did some calisthenics and then swam for 30 minutes.  As mentioned earlier I am substituting swimming for rowing or running during the winter months.

Walked home and after quick lunch I ran errands.  Stopped at bank to put some records in safe deposit box.  Also made stops at Ace Hardware and Meijer’s.

For dinner we drove to Houlihan’s. I had their salmon and Nancy a salad.  I usually give Houlihan’s a strong B for food.  Tonight I hope was the exception.  Because the salmon was burned and mashed potatoes lumpy.  I even complained.

At home we watched a spy show on Netflix.  It is a guy show.  The cold continues but heavy snow predicted for tomorrow.