Thursday April 19, 2018

Thursday April 19, 2018

Blog time 1145 sitting in office.

Today is our long travel day.  I slept in until 0700.  It was 31 and sunny when we headed out this morning.  A trace of snow last night.  Nancy and I started to walk to Panera when we hit an ice patch.  Nancy slipped and she said she was heading home and driving to Panera.  I continued walking.  We both commented on how busy Panera was.

I had my standard oatmeal breakfast and Nancy had just a coffee.  At home I called Metro cab and they were full as was Calder cab.  I downloaded the Uber app but got confused on ordering a cab for later today.  I called Uber’s local office but no answer.  In the meantime Nancy called our house sitter and she will drive us.

1500 left for airport and checked in and passed through security with no problems.  Atlanta airport was busy we took train to international terminal.  Plane for Chile was on time.  Nancy and I lucked out we were in a three seat row and the middle seat was vacant.  This gave us more room.  

Next blog will be from Chile.  Stay tuned!

Wednesday April 18, 2018

Wednesday April 18, 2018

Blog time 1130 at Panera

Wednesday my easy day.  Slept in today until 0645, it was light when I first went out.  Temperature was 30 but should reach mid 40s later today.

Nancy headed out early for a 0715 class at MVP.  I had breakfast at home and Nancy was home before I left.  She said it was a short class and like me she was winding down before tomorrow’s trip to South America.

Today I rode my bike to the Y.  I took the shorter 5 mile route.  Performed some mild exercises before heading to Panera.

Sad to hear about Barbara Bush’s passing.  She was a class lady.  Married over 70 years to the same man.  What a novel concept.  I thought that Barbara Bush was unique in being the wife and mother of a president. But I forgot about Abigail Adams.  Another great lady.

Why can’t POTUS meet with the Japanese Prime Minister in DC instead of his Florida resort.  It looks like a conflict.

Nancy worked at the Gardens this afternoon.  She said they were busy.

For first time in a week I took Ms P on a walk.  She was glad to get out.

Lunch and then trash and laundry before a nap.  When Nancy got home we headed downstairs and downloaded our boarding passes to our iPhones for tomorrow’s flight.   Ain’t technology great.

Light dinner tonight.  Both Debbie and Missy FaceTimed tonight to wish me a happy birthday and safe trip.

We watched an episode of Heart Guy followed by Bosch before turning in.

Tuesday April 17, 2018

Tuesday April 17, 2018

Blog time 1000 at Panera 

Happy Birthday Alessandra!  Today is  Granddaughter Alessandra’s ninth birthday.  Enjoy this nice sunny, warm day in Long Beach, CA.

Today is also the birthday of Alessandra’s Great Grandfather Scott, my father.  Dad would be 112 today.

The snow continued overnight.  Temp was in low 20s this morning with about 1/2” of new snow.  I even shoveled this morning.  Temperatures will remain in the 30s all day.  I am tired of wearing long underwear.

Took my snow tires off the winter bike so no bike ride to Y today.  Normally I would walk to the Y but since my hip problems the 1.7 mile walk is too much.  Instead I did all the exercises at home.

I got out my winter jacket and walked to Panera.  I had an oatmeal breakfast.

President Trump and all the attorneys for and against him still dominates the news.  A pox on all attorneys.

Did the raid on Syria’s chemical warfare facilities do any good?  The USA and allies should have gone after Assad before Russia was involved.  President Obama’s failure to act was a big mistake.  

 Just listening to comments by business folks on the recent tax cut it appears the cuts are great for their companies.  I hope the individual tax cuts have the same effect.  Speaking of taxes today is tax day.  Of course the IRS’s computers are down on this important day.

As soon as I got home I got in the Escape and headed to Costco.  I needed prunes, bulk fiber powder and Cheerios.  Costco looked like they were having senior day, nothing but gray hair.

I called my sister today.  I always contact her on Dad’s birthday.  She said Gaylord was snowed in.  The had over a foot of snow on the ground.  Schools and businesses in the area were all closed.  They have been home bound for over four days.  We did talk about another big April snow around 1948.  The snow banks on the side of the roads were over six feet tall.  At my Grandparents’s farm my Uncle and Grandfather had shoveled a path to the barn.  The snow banks were over my head.  This was the worst snow I remember from my youth.  Would make a great “when I was your age” story.

This afternoon took my first shower since Friday and then a quick nap.  Spent the rest of the afternoon packing and then taking a 1.5 mile walk. 

Chicken pot pie for dinner.  Love chicken pot pie.  Our direct TV was acting up so we watched an episode of Inspector Lewis before turning in.

Monday April 16, 2018

Monday April 16, 2018

Blog time 0945 at Panera

Today is Patroit’s Day in MA.  It is always on the third Monday in April.  It commemorates the April 19, 1775 ride of Paul Revere.  Every 4th grade kid in Alpena had to memorize Longfellow’s poem about the midnight ride of Paul Revere.  The Boston Marathon is always held on Patroit’s Day.  I ran in the 1975 and 77 Boston marathon.

The temp was 32 when I first went out this morning.  We still had a layer of slush over roads and walks so no bike today.  

I did all my calisthenics and stretches at home today.  Bundled up and put on my rubber boots and walked to Panera.  I had an oatmeal breakfast.

Nancy left early today because she has a 0730 class at MVP.  No scheduled activities for today.

The Comey/Trump feud continues and it keeps getting nastier.  It reflects poorly on both.  

I complain about our snow in GR.  Talked to my sister, Helen, yesterday.  She lives in Gaylord, MI said they had over 15 inches of snow on the ground and it will continue snowing until Tuesday.  I should complain.

When I got home I decided to run some errands.  First stop was Costco, bought eyedrops and vitamins.  Next  stop was Meijer’s.  I filled the Escape, gas was $2.80, also bought apples and yogurt.

After lunch I headed downstairs and spent time reading and packing for our South America trip.  Finished the afternoon with a mile walk.  

Light dinner and then we started watching a new show on Netflix, Requiem.  We watched 10 minutes before stopping.  Not our thing.  We ended up watching Death in Paradise.

More snow predicted for tonight.  Will it never end.

Sunday April 15, 2018

Weekend Update

Saturday April 14, 2018

Blog time 1650 sitting in downstairs office with space heater running full blast.  We got a memo from our friendly power company saying we use more power than our neighbors.  I told Nancy the reason is her chilly Willy hubby.  Our downstairs is cold so I always have the space heater on.  I also have my electric blanket running all night.  I love my electric blanket.

We have been under a winter storm warning since last night.  High winds and heavy snow/rain all night.   It was still sleeting and blowing this morning.  No walking to Panera this morning, we drove.  Most folks stayed home because the place was empty.

Stopped at home so Nancy could start the laundry.  I drove to Meijer’s for milk and eggs.  At 1000 we headed to Breton Village.  Nancy visited Talbot’s and I stopped at Fitzgerald’s and Orvis.  Nancy did not make a purchase but I bought socks at Orvis.  We stopped at Trader Joe’s to buy a baguette for dinner.

I made one more run this morning.  I drove to Barnes and Noble at Woodland Mall to get a map of Chile and Argentina.  Guess what they did not have any.  I did look through a tour book of the area and read up on Patagonia.  Very interesting.  I turned on my Apple Watch indoor walk function and walked a mile around the mall so it was not a wasted trip.

Lunch and then I headed downstairs where I remained all afternoon.  I did take one break when our condo mate called and asked if I could help her set NPR on her radio.  Sonya has trouble seeing small numbers.  I was glad to help.

Tonight we will finish the beans and rice.  I will also have some of the baguette we purchased at TJ’s.

Blog resumes on Sunday at 1530 sitting at Dining Room Table.

The beans and rice were as good Saturday as on Thursday.  We watched Death in Paradise and Bosch before turning in. 

Today because of the weather I did not get my thirty minutes outdoors.  Winter storm warning will be in effect until noon on Sunday.  It was still snowing and sleeting with howling wind when we turned in.

Sunday April 15, 2018;

Easy blog today.  We woke up to snow/sleet mix with high winds.  Temperature was below freezing.  The TV folks told us to stay home.  We took their advice.  Even Trinity Lutheran canceled services.

I am an optimist because I spent the morning putting away my winter clothes and getting out the warm weather gear.  I finished reading the GRP by noon.  

Quick lunch and then took a nap.  It stopped snowing about 1400.  I might even take a walk later today.

Nancy will be fixing her world famous scramble eggs for dinner tonight.

Stepped outside and noted the snow/sleet had stopped so I put on my boots and walked around the block.  About 4” of slush cover the roads and walks.  I stayed on the walks because of the heavy spray put up whenever a car passed.  Not pleasant but I did get my 30 minutes outside.

Yes Nancy did fix her world famous scrambled eggs.  I had mine with spinach pie and fresh cut melon.

We watched 60 Minutes and then Murder in Suburbia and The Heart Guy.  It was an Acorn evening.  Winter storm warning still active.

Friday April 13, 2018

Friday April 13, 2018

Blog time 1140 at Panera

Boy I slept in today to 0700.  The sun was up when I went out.  Temperature was 39 with rain and snow starting this afternoon.

Most folks have problems with the # 13, especially Friday the 13th.  13 has been a good number for me.  In 1956 I won a Jeep in a raffle with the number 13.  The Jeep changed my life.  The night I graduated from high school I got in the Jeep and headed to Oregon.  The start of a big adventure for a naive boy of 18.  The Lord protects young folks doing stupid things.

All the news outlets are announcing a USN Armada heading to Syria.  I hope it is only for show.  

Rain and snow are on the menu for this weekend.  Bad news for all the high school spring sports athletes.

Showered and then had lunch before heading downstairs.  I spent several hours reading and checking emails.  I am being bombarded with emails from My Heritage informing me they have found another third to fifth Cousin.  

For dinner Nancy and I headed to Brann’s.  I had the lobster bisque and split a turkey sandwich with Nancy.  The restaurant was nearly empty.

I finished reading the papers before watching an episode of Murder in Suburbia.  Nancy headed to bed and I watched an episode of Babylon Berlin.

Winter storm warning were issued for our area.  

Just before going to bed I got an alert on my iPhone that an attack on Syria was underway.  Talk about telegraphing your moves.  What happened to the old adage “loose lips sink ships”.  Did you think Syria had enough warning?

Thursday April 12, 2018

Thursday April 12, 2018

Blog time 1100 at Panera

It rained last night but when I went out at 0650 I could see the sun just coming up.  It was warm, 48, with temps predicted to reach mid 60s later.

Nancy headed out early for her Thursday swim.  My big problem today is to decide how to dress.  This is our warmest morning in awhile.  I ditched my rubber boots, snowmobile mitts and long underwear.  It felt good.  We must have had quite a bit of rain last night because I encountered many big puddles on my hour ride to the Y.  Everything smelled and looked fresh.  A truly great Spring morning for a bike ride.  I savor these mornings.

Good grief enough with the Zuckerberg testimony.  Several channels are covering his testimony live.  All I see are a bunch of pols grandstanding.  I really don’t think they understand what they are talking about.

I was not surprised at Paul Ryan’s announcement that he will not seek re-election.  I think between having to deal with the fringe elements in congress, Dems and GOP, along with PONTUS he just burned out.  

My big worry is that if the Dems do take control of congress they will spend all their time trying to impeach President Trump.  Bitterness will prevail and nothing will get done.

After lunch I made a quick trip to Groskopfs to buy a grounded electrical outlet suitable for use in SA.  Speaking of our trip Nancy got a call yesterday from our tour guide inquiring if we had any questions about the trip.  She reminded us to bring rain gear and clothing that can be layered.  Cool mornings and warm afternoons are common.

I found time to take a nap and after dinner a walk.  Nancy fixed beans and rice for dinner.  Love beans and rice.

We watched an episode of Bosch.  Nancy headed to bed and then I watched Babylon Berlin.  I like this dark crime story set in Berlin in the 20s.  Germany was in complete turmoil and the commies and nazi are trying to fill this vacuum.