Sunday July 8, 2018

Saturday July 8, 2018

Blog time 1400 sitting at dining table

Nancy and I slept in until 0715.   I walked outside and encountered nothing but sun.  Another beautiful summer’s day.

I walked to Panera for a quick oatmeal breakfast.  Nancy fixed Missy and AJ breakfast at home.

Early afternoon Nancy and I walked AJ to several ponds in our back yard.  AJ had a net and she caught a tadpole.  AJ wanted to keep the tadpole so I hurried home and got a pail.  Made a quick trip to Meijer’s to buy a gold fish bowl and some fish food.

Today we had an early dinner at Rose’s on Reeds Lake.  We sat on the deck overlooking the lake.  A great way to spend a warm summer’s afternoon.  As always the food at Rose’s was good.

Missy is flying back to LA tonight.  At 1900 I drove her to the airport.  She will arrive in LA about midnight.

We had a light dinner and watched some Netflix before turning in.  

Sunday July 8, 2018

We got up at 0630.  No church today.  Nancy and I did take our Sunday walk around the block.  Very pleasant.  Sunny and mid 80s today.

Quick breakfast and then we headed to Meijer’s for gas and some supplies.  Nancy bought AJ a chocolate donut.  It looked good.  I resisted the temptation.

 Read a section of the GRP and then we all headed to the pond to look for more tadpoles.  AJ spotted a fox in the middle of the old fairway.  We think is was looking for moles.  It took over an hour before AJ netted another tadpole.  

I took a short bike ride to the Y.  Did some stretches and calisthenics.  When I got home I found out that Nancy and AJ had gone back to the pond.  AJ netted two more tadpoles in a matter of minutes.

Showered, lunch and then a nap.  Nancy grilled hamburgers for dinner.  First time this year we used the grill.  Also had corn on the cob.

Nancy and AJ played Maj Jong while I finished the GRP.   We both watched an episode of Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.  Nancy headed to bed and I watched The Forest.  A busy summer’s weekend.

Friday July 6, 2018

Friday July 6, 2018

Blog time 1020 at Panera

This morning was perfect.  Temp in high 60s with sun and cloudless sky.

Today I did my calisthenics and stretches at home.  Nancy is not going to MVP this morning.  She promised AJ she would make her Grandma’s world famous scrambled eggs for breakfast.

I had a quick breakfast.  I biked the short five mile route to Panera.  Most folks must have taken the day off because traffic was light.

My temporary schedule calls for attending the Jurassic movie with AJ.  For dinner tonight Nancy is grilling hamburgers.  First time this year using our outdoor grill. Stay tuned!

Partially read the news before heading home.  Quick lunch followed by short walk.  At 1330 AJ, Missy and I headed to the movie.  The theater was almost empty.  AJ and Missy liked the movie.  I thought it was too violent.

As soon as we got home AJ fell asleep.  Must be jet lag.  We cancelled plans for an outdoor grill and instead voted for pizza.  I ordered two medium pizzas from Jet’s which is less than 1/2 mile from the condo.  I picked up the pizzas in 15 minutes.  We all liked the pizza.  Jet’s gets an A.

It was such a beautiful evening we ate on the deck.  We spent several hour eating and talking.  I love sitting outside on a beautiful summer’s evening. AJ was still sound asleep when we headed to bed at 2230.

Thursday July 5, 2018

Thursday July 5, 2018

Blog time 1130 at Panera

I did not turn the AC off until 0300.  The weather folks predicted rain last night but did not happen.

It was 79 and sunny when I went out at 0630.   Nancy headed out to her Thursday swim at MVP.  I had breakfast and then hopped on the bike and headed to the Y.  Despite wearing only a tee I was sweating profusely when I got to the Y.  The Y had their AC pump up this morning because I found it downright chilly.

At Panera they also had the AC on full blast.  Luckily I had an extra shirt in my bike bag.

The Supreme Court is the new front page story.  PONTUS seems to love all the drama surrounding his selection process.  I can’t see how a hard core abortion foe could get approved by the Senate.

Is this Poetic justice?  Several poachers in Africa looking for the endangered black rhino were eaten by lions.  

Another report today that coffee is good for you.  I think I drink about 24 oz per day.

Algorithms are used for solving complex problems especially for computers.  However, they are not infallible.  Facebook’s algorithms rejected a section of the US Constitution because it contained hateful sections.  On the same mode, the Librarians have said the author of Little House on the Prairie will have her name removed from a prize because her books were racist.  Get real folks!  

Showered and then had a quick lunch.  After lunch I drove to the Cascade Twp office to deliver our absentee ballots.  Next stop was Dick’s Sporting Goods.  I am looking to replace some quick drying tees made by ex-officio.  They did not have any, in fact they had never heard of ex-officio.  Maybe that is why I don’t like Dicks.

I did take a short nap and then at 1640 we all got in the Escape and headed to the airport.  Missy and AJ’s flight is due at 1728.  Of course the flight was 20’ late.  Great to see them.

Quick stop at home and then we headed to Olga’s at Woodland Mall for dinner.  Missy and I had the Original Olga sandwich.  I had forgotten how good they were.

We spent a quiet evening at home talking and enjoying a glass of wine.  The temperature had dropped to the low 80s and so I turned off the AC.  The weather folks say the heat wave is over.  No more 90 degree temps for a week at least.

  

Wednesday July 4, 2018

Wednesday July 4, 2018

Blog time 1220 sitting in downstairs office.

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!

My first fourth was in 1938.  Yesterday my sister, Helen, and I talked about what we did on the 4th.  I thought we had a picnic at my Grandfather Scott’s farm but Helen said we went to the McNeal cottage at Hubbard Lake.  Helen was right.  I just checked my Great Grandfather Sanborn’s diary from 1938 and he mentioned attending the picnic at the McNeal’s.  I am assuming I was also in attendance.  My first 4th.

Another hot sunny day in GR.  We headed out at 0745 for the Hollyhock Lane Parade in the Ottawa Hills Neighborhood of GR.  I think this is their 84th Fourth of July Parade.  Except for police and fire trucks this is a home grown neighborhood parade.  Local Boy and Girls Scout troops marched. The neighborhood has their own marching band complete with a kazoo section.  The kids decorated their bikes and rode in the parade.  Neighbors also elected a Mr and Ms America who headed the parade.  Of course this being an election year there were a lot of pols running for office in attendance.  A short program which included a jazz combo, raising the flag, speakers was held in the back yard of a neighbor.  We all walk down the alley, Hollyhock Lane, to get to the back yard.  Large crowds with a lot of old neighbors like Bob and Nancy in attendance.  America at its best!

After the parade we headed out to find a restaurant for breakfast.  Not an original idea.  We stopped at the Omelette Shop by the wait was too long.  Finally ended up at the Sundance.  The Sundance use to be one of our favorite restaurants.  Nancy had the ham scramble and I had eggs with corn beef hash.  We sat outside which was nice but the food was subpar.  How can you ruin corn beef hash?  We gave the food a D.  

At home I started a load of laundry before lunch.  After lunch I drove Nancy to the Gardens.  She is working her normal Wednesday shift.  Nancy will miss her next two shifts because we will be in Gaylord and LA.

At home I hung up the laundry and continued to clean up the downstairs bedroom for Missy and AJ.  I did find time for a nap.

At 1600 I loaded Ms P into the Escape and headed to Meijer’s to pick up Nancy.  Dropped them off a home and then headed to Meijer’s to buy some bananas.

Light dinner followed by a walk.  We watched an episode of Goliath on Prime.  We are having trouble getting Netflix on our big TV so I watched an episode of Netflix’s “The Forest” in the living room.

Because of the heat we had the AC on all day.  It was still 80 at 2200 so I left the AC on until 0300.  The heat will continue through tomorrow.

Locations where I have spent the Fourth alone:

Riddle, Oregon 1956

Farmington, NM 1957 and 58

Bellows Falls, VT 1960

Newport, RI. 1961

Midway Island 1962

Vietnam 1963 and 64

Tuesday July 3, 2018

Tuesday July 3, 2018

Blog time 1110 at Panera

It looked like another nice sunny day when I first went out.  The temp was 70 heading to a high of 91.  Nancy headed out for her Tuesday swim.  

After breakfast I biked to the Y.  It usually takes me 50 minutes to ride the 7.7 miles.  Today was no exception.  The critters must be staying in the shade because I did not see any today.

I thought the Y would be empty because of tomorrow’s holiday.  I was wrong it was crowded.  Maybe a holiday in the middle of the week caused folks to stay home?

Not much in the news today.  I did learn that because of the heat wave the U.K. is experiencing a large influx of horse flies.  The U.K. news is all about their World Cup soccer team.

PONTUS is causing a stir by threatening to leave NATO and the WTO.  I really think he would face major opposition from congress.

It was close to 90 when I left Panera.  After a quick lunch Nancy and I headed to Trader Joe’s to buy wine and tamales.  Next stop was Fresh Thyme to purchase blueberries.

I did find time to take a nap.  After the nap I cleaned up the downstairs bedroom to make room for AJ and Missy.

Nancy fixed a chicken salad for dinner.  A great summertime meal.

I took a walk after dinner.  We had our apple and cheese snack and then watched NCIS and Bull before turning in.

I did not turn off the AC at bedtime because the outside temp was in the mid 80s.  I did turn it off about 0100 when the outside temp was lower than inside.

Monday July 2, 2018

Sunday July 1, 2018

Week end update;

Saturday June 30, 2018

Blog started at 0800 at Panera

Looks like another hot day.  The temp at 0800 is 80 and sunny.

This morning I volunteered to work at Trinity Lutheran.  We will continue to move furniture.  My shift starts at 0830.  I made a quick stop at Panera for an oatmeal breakfast.

Good Grief!  Today is the last day of June.  That means 2018 is half over.

Left Panera at 0815 and headed to Trinity Lutheran.  20 folks showed up to help with the move.  Many hands make easy work because we were done by 1030.  We were all bathed in sweat.  The temp was in the mid 80s when we finished.

At home I changed into my bike clothes and took an easy 7 mile ride.  Despite the heat and humidity I saw a lot of folks walking and biking.  

Showered and then a quick lunch.  I found time to take a nap.  After the nap I spent time in the office paying billing and clearing my in basket.  Yes I do have an in basket.  

Tomorrow is the big election in Mexico.  I thought the USA was a violent country but Mexico is worse.  It is tough being a politician.  132 have been murdered this election season.  

We were going to grill outside tonight but it was too hot.  Nancy fixed me a hot dog and egg roll for dinner.  Perfect for a hot evening.  I did take a mile walk after dinner.  The temperature was 90.  Needless to say I walked slow.

Tonight we watched an episode of Secret City.  I like this Australian show.  Nancy headed to bed but I stayed up and watched another foreign Netflix show, The Forest.  French dialogue with English subtitles.

I did turn the AC off before turning in.  The temp had dropped to 77.

Sunday July 1, 2018

The start of a new month so I get out a new tooth brush.  Did I really have to share this fact with you?  Or who cares!

Alarm off at 0615 and we get up and get ready for our Sunday morning walk around the block.  The temp was 75.  We got about .2 mile into our 1.25 mile walk when Ms P refused to walk further.  We took her home and then continued.  Total distance walked 1.5 miles.

Headed to church at 0845 for the 0925 Celebration service.  Today the service has been moved to the Sanctuary because of the renovation.  Pastor Bob said we could drink coffee in the Sanctuary.  Good news.

Despite the heat I was surprised at the turnout.  The band was in fine fiddle.  In fact they got an applause after the final hymn.  Everyone was upbeat when they left.

We headed to Meijer’s for supplies and gas.  Gas today was $3.07.  Nancy bought supplies for Missy and AJ who are coming on Thursday.  

At home we unloaded and then I took a short walk followed by lunch.  I read several sections of the GRP before taking my nap.

After the nap I spent some time trying to figure out how to blow up a big air mattress.  I tried my bike pump but that would have taken an hour.  I search and found an electric pump I had purchased years ago.  It did the trick.

We watched the end of the Croatia vs Denmark World Cup game.  It was exciting.

For dinner tonight Nancy is fixing her world famous scrambled eggs.  After I will take a walk and then settle down to watch 60 Minutes and read the GRP.  

We did not watch 60 Minutes because it was reruns.  Debbie FaceTimed us and we spent some time catching up.  It was also above 90 today in San Jose.

We started watching a U.K. drama on Amazon staring Hugh Grant.  We watched about 10 minutes before determining this is not for us.

We watched an episode of Inspector Lewis.  Nancy headed to bed and I stayed up and watched the French TV show “The Forest” before heading to bed.  

We had a thunder storm roll through at 2100.  It dropped the temp to mid 70s.  The temperature will not reach 90 tomorrow ending our heat wave.  I learned today that in order to be called a heat wave you must have three continuous days with temps above 90.