Tuesday August 7, 2018

Tuesday August 7, 2018

Our heat wave is over.  Temp was 68 with no morning rain.  Nancy heads to her Tuesday swim and after breakfast I head to the Y.  

Another pleasant morning for a bike ride.  I pass the same folks every morning out for their morning walk.  Calisthenics and stretches at Y.  This morning for first time this year I ran a lap.  It is only 0.2 mi but I experienced no pain.

Nancy and I both had trouble sleeping last night.  I might have to start using my CPAC machine again.

The Alpena News reported that high school football practice started on Monday.  Several small HS in NE MI have switched to 8 man football.

Showered and quick lunch before afternoon chores.  Stopped at ATM to build up my cash supply.  I love our local Ace Hardware store.  I needed 4 nuts and bolts to finish my kayak rack.  I can walk to their storage bins and pick out the nuts and bolts that I need.  Can purchase 1 or a dozen bolts.  The big box stores have the bolts in packages and so they decide the size of my purchase which is usually at least two times more than I need.  Small is good.

Before buying a kayak I wanted to check on getting a used one.  Stopped and “Play it Again Sports” and they did not have any.  Also checked the GRP.  Tomorrow I will check Craig’s List.

I took a short nap.  For dinner Nancy fixed a chicken salad with corn on the cob.  Very tasty.  After dinner I took a walk in a light mist.  After the snacks we watched two episodes of DCI Crane on Prime before turning in.

Monday August 6, 2018

Monday August 6, 2018

The temperature was in mid 70s this morning.  Rain predicted for most of the day.   Nancy heads to MVP and I stay home and do my entire calisthenics and stretch routine.  

Showered, dressed and left home in a heavy rain.  I drove to Panera and had an oatmeal breakfast.  

The Alpena News reported this morning that AHS was preparing to offer a new class for freshman called Mechatronics and Algebra 1.  It is suppose to combine engineering and math.  I have mixed feelings about this type of class.  I think that I was a good engineer, however, as a freshman in HS I was not ready for a Mechatronics type class combined with Algebra.  I think Algebra is so important it should always be a stand alone class.

Many young engineers take advance placement Algebra and Calculus in high school.  If they pass these classes colleges waive the need to take them.  No way I was mature enough in HS to take Calculus.  My senior year the AHS offered a semester of trig followed by a semester of a class called solid geometry.  I never took Calculus until my second year in college.

The rain is suppose to continue until late afternoon.  After Panera I drove to Meijer’s to purchase some paper napkins.  Next stop was Costco.  I bought Nancy an office chair.

Lunch and then I started my chores.  Nancy’s chair needed to be assembled.  The instructions were quite good.   Think Nancy likes her new chair.  Will give the old chair to Good Will.

Getting my kayak rack built was much harder than the chair.  I had to saw a 2x4 into several measured pieces.  Really did not have a decent saw, used a small dull hack saw.  Also cut a piece of 1” plastic pipe to a measured length.  

Need to bolt the wood pieces together.  No work bench so I took the wood outside and used an old plastic trash barrel as a bench.  I drilled the holes. Attached the rack to the trailer hitch.  It fit perfect.

The humidity this afternoon was in the 90s.  So before a shower I took a walk around the block.  No bike ride today but all the assembly work wiped me out.  

I am reading the Clinton/Patterson book and the main theme is that bad guys are going to hack into the electric and create havoc.  I have read several articles lately about Russia/China or other countries hacking into our electric grid.  Apparently we are unprepared to protect the grid.  Scary!  I can’t believe that we can not reciprocate.

We had a light dinner.  Watched a new show on Prime, the name escapes me.  After Nancy headed to bed and I watched a show called Britannia.  It is about the Roman invasion of England in 45 AD.  Gruesome but interesting.

Sunday August 5, 2018

Weekend Update:

Blog started at 1300 on Sunday sitting at kitchen table.

Saturday August 4:

The temp was sunny and warm, 68, when we started our walk to Panera for Saturday breakfast.  In anticipation of the predicted 90 degree heat Panera had the AC cranked.  It was too cold for Bob and Nancy so we sat outside and enjoyed our oatmeal and coffee.

At home Nancy started the laundry and I loaded my Bad Boy bike on my bike rack and headed to the White Pine Trail.  I rode from Riverside Park to Rockford and back, a distance of 20 miles.  Longest ride of the year.  However, the White Pine Trail is on an old RR grade so the ride was flat with no hills.  I did encounter on the trail two retired OHHS teachers, Gerry Siegel and Jim Walters.  All of our kids had them as teachers.

Both Jim and Gerry were friends with Rick Jensen.  Rick taught social studies and was Steve’s hockey coach.  He presently is in jail for murder.  Jim said that Rick has been moved to Ionia Prison and placed in a unit that houses prisoners with dementia.  Despite his crime I liked Rick.

Today is my childhood friend Tommy Collins 79th birthday.  Tommy and I had many fond memories especially playing ice hockey.  Tommy lives in San Clemente, CA.  He left MI for CA soon after junior college and he would never come back.

No walk today because by 1400 the temperature had reached 90.  For dinner we headed to JT’s Pizza.  We sat outside and were blessed with a cooling breeze.  JT has the best pizza.

This evening we again switched to Prime and watched Prime Suspect, Tennison.  We like this show.

We had the AC on since early afternoon.  At 2200 the outside temperature was 79 so I turned the unit off.  The heat continues tomorrow.

Sunday August 5, 2018

Up at 0615 before the sunrise at 0637.  It was already in the low 70s.  Nancy and I wore shorts for our walk around the block.  We left home at 0845 for Trinity Lutheran.  Despite being the height of the vacation season Church was crowded.

We stopped at Meijer’s after church for supplies and gas.  The kitchen is being renovated at church so I now get my Sunday coffee at Starbucks in Meijer’s.

I completed my Sunday calisthenics at home.  Read several sections of GRP before lunch.  Lunch and then a short nap.  The temperature reached 90 so no walk until later.

I ran some errands.  Stopped at local Ace Hardware and Home Depot for more parts for my kayak rack.

Nancy’s office chair is shot so I looked at Costco and Stables for a suitable replacement.  Described the chairs and Nancy said I should get the Costco chair.

Checked out the kayaks at Dick’s.  Bill and Paul’s has a better selection.

Sent the Grandkids my monthly note.  Tonight I will mail them.

Nancy’s world famous scrambled eggs for dinner.  Also had spinach pie and a slice of last night’s pizza.  Good.

Took a walk after dinner, it had cooled off enough that the walk was not uncomfortable.  Just reruns on 60 Minutes so we switched to Apple TV.  Watched an episode of Prime Suspect, Tennison and Murder in Paradise before turning in.  Turned the AC off at midnight.

  

Friday August 3, 2018

Friday August 3, 2018

Blog time 1100 at Panera

Wow it is Friday again, this summer is going too fast.  That said I always look forward to Fridays.  It must be a carryover from my working days.

It is another nice summer’s day.  Temps started at 68 and will end at the low 80s.  Sunshine all day.  

Not much that I found interesting in the news today.  Is the internet our enemy?  I sure hope not.  I use the internet daily and find it a good resource.  No more World Books or dictionaries.  Do most homes have either?

Shower and quick lunch and then Nancy and I headed to the Tanger’s Outlet Mall.  The Mall was crowded with mothers and young kids looking for back to school clothes.  

The Mall has several stores that I like, Brooks Brothers, J Crew, Nike, Mountain Warehouse, Under Armor and several shoe stores.  I did purchase a pair of workout pants.  Nancy also made a purchase at Talbots.

Nancy fixed me a hot dog for dinner.  I had mine with Kathi Kothe’s special sauerkraut.  Good meal.

I did take my walk before preparing our cheese and apple snacks.  Tonight we watched two episodes of DCI Banks on Amazon.  We liked the show.  Heat wave starts tomorrow.

Thursday August 2, 2018

Thursday August 2, 2018

Blog time 1135 at Panera

We had thunder showers roll through last night.  At least that is what Nancy told me.  I slept through the storm.

Up at 0615 and when I took Ms P out the front yard sprinklers went off.  The sprinklers usually work only on MWF.  Grab the dog and take her outside through the downstairs slider.  The backyard sprinklers go off before the front yard sprinklers start.  It would be more convenient if the cycle was reversed but who listens.

Thursday so Nancy is swimming and after breakfast I head to the Y.  I just start my ride when it starts to rain.  My weather apps said no rain today but it is summer and who can predict these localized storms.  It rained for about 5’ and then the sun came out.  Fifteen minutes later another short shower followed by sun.  

Quick stop at Y for calisthenics and then I head home for a shower and dry clothes.  After headed to Panera.  

California fires, Michigan primaries, Manafort trial, Urban Meyer’s and POTUS’s tweets dominates the news.  

On the Urban Meyer’s suspension I think Ohio State was wrong.  My opinion might be generational.  Enough said!

After lunch I ran some errands.  Stopped at Meijer’s to pick up my MG meds.  Next stopped at Home Depot.  I am in the process of building a kayak support that attaches to my trailer hitch.  I walked up and down nearly every row and found several items that I could use.  My next job is to stop at Bill and Pauls and take several measurements on the kayak I want to purchase.

Also stopped at Costco to purchase eye drops and AA batteries.  I was out of both items.

For dinner tonight we headed to Shepard’s Grill.  The place was crowded but we found an empty both.  Nancy had the Chicken Pot Pie soup.  She gave it an A.  I had a very good hamburger.

After my walk and our cheese and apple snack we turned on the Apple TV.  Watched an episode of Murder in Paradise.  A new season was just added by Netflix.  We love this show.  Nancy headed to bed and I watched Better Call Saul.  Mixed feelings on this show.

Wednesday August 1, 2018

Wednesday August 1, 2018

Blog 1145 sitting at dining room table;

Breakfast Club Wednesday and I get up with the 0515 alarm.  Head out to downtown at 0615 making a quick stop at Panera for a cup of coffee to take with me.

Where has the summer gone.  It is August already and the days are getting shorter.  It was still dark when I got on the freeway.  

We had a small crowd at BC.  Our membership seems to be declining.  I don’t know why because the food is good and we have had some good speakers.

Today’s speaker is a writer. He is also a BC member and will be 90 this year.  He read some of his humorous writings.  It was good.

After BC headed straight home and changed into my bike riding clothes.  Took the short route to the Y.   Completed reduced calisthenics and stretches before heading home.

Nancy is working at the Gardens this afternoon.  Ms P has a 1300 appointment at the Vets.  Last night I completed what I thought was an impossible task.  I got an urine sample from her.

Lunch and then grabbed Ms P and headed to Vet.  She was given a complete work over, tests of urine, blood and an X-ray.  All the test showed everything was normal.  The Vets attributes her problems to old age and maybe all the comings and goings in July.  We agreed on a wait and see plan.  

I did my normal rope-yarn Wednesday routine, laundry, trash and a nap.  We had a light dinner followed by a walk and then apple and cheese snack.  

This evening we watched what appeared to be the final episode of Inspector Lewis.  I give this show an A.  Nancy headed to bed and I watched an episode of Frontier.  

Tuesday July 31, 2018

Tuesday July 31, 2018

Blog time 1145 at Panera

We slept in until 0700 today, about 30 minutes behind schedule.  But old folks don’t need a schedule I am told.

It was cloudy and cool, high 50s, this morning.  No rain predicted for the rest of the week.

Nancy headed out for her Tuesday swim.  After breakfast I saddled up and headed to the Y.  The summer camps are going full blast.  The Y is jammed with kids.  I observed that the majority of kids attending camp are brought to the Y by their fathers.  Sign of the times?

At Panera I read all the news but really found nothing that deserves a comment.  At noon Panera started to fill up.  Left at 1230 because I felt guilty taking up a table.

Lunch and then I got in the Escape and headed to Bill and Paul’s.  My goal is to find a well made kayak that I can load into the Escape.  I found several that would meet my criteria.  Now all I have to do is build the kayak end support that will be attached to my trailer hitch.  

Spent several hours checking mail, and paying bills.  For dinner tonight Nancy fixed chicken cordon blu with risotto.  It was good.

Dishes and then my walk around the block.  Apple and cheese snack before watching an episode on Inspector Lewis.  Nancy headed to bed and I stayed up and watched a Bollywood crime show.  I liked the show.