Wednesday August 15, 2018

Wednesday August 15, 2018

Blog time 1130 at Panera

Breakfast Club Wednesday;  the alarm goes off at 0515.  It was Humid with temps in low 70s when I left at 0615.  Temp will reach high 80s this afternoon with no rain until tomorrow.  We are in need of an all day shower.

The attendance at Breakfast Club continues to fall.  Today speaker talked about a non-profit that specializes in helping special needs kids.  Interesting.

I stopped at the Y on my way home.  Did my stretches and calisthenics.  At home I changed into bike clothes and headed to Panera.  Nancy is working at the Gardens this afternoon.

After lunch I did my rope yarn Wednesday chores, laundry and trash.  Even had time for a nap.  Very humid so at 1300 turned the AC on. On these hot days I turn the AC off and open up the bedroom slider right before turning in.  We like to sleep with the slider open.  We not only get fresh air but can hear the birds early in the morning.

We had our normal light dinner but tonight we had watermelon, grapes and strawberries.  Almost a fruit overload.

After dishes took my walk and then prepared the cheese snacks.  We both watched an episode of Murder in Paradise and then I watched Frontier.  Much needed rain predicted for late tomorrow.

Tuesday August 14, 2018

Tuesday August 14, 2018

A special mention is in order for Granddaughter Akerke.  Today is her first day of school.  Akerke attends school in the LA Consolidated School District.  First year that uniforms are required.  It is also her last year in elementary school.  Have a good year Akerke.

It was dark when Ms P and I went out at 0630.  Sunny with temps in high 80s later.

Nancy headed out early for her Tuesday swim.  After breakfast I took the long route to the Y, 7+ miles.  Traffic was light this morning but next week it will be heavy.  Schools start next week.

The Y was very quiet this morning.  After school starts I will start swimming.

At Panera this morning I talked to Rich Buskirk.  Rich worked for the Montcalm County Road Commissions for many years.  He was the MCRC’S surveyor and construction Inspector.  Rich was the inspector on all the bridges we designed in the county.  Rich is retired and lives on a farm about 45 miles from GR.  I see him about every two weeks at either Costco or Panera.  Great guy.

The Alpena News reported on a visit to Alpena by Senator Stabenow.  Sen Stabenow is a Democrat and was asked about President Trump.  She said “if what he does is good for Michigan she is all in”.  I thought this was a great answer.  She does a good job for Mi and the few times I have written her she has replied promptly.  Mi desperately needs Federal money to improve the Soo Locks.

After lunch I took the Taurus for gas.  Gas today was $2.99.  I bought a banana, crackers and a sub sandwich at Meijer’s.  Nancy is working at the Gardens tonight.  They don’t need me so I will wander around the Gardens before the concert starts.  Nancy is making a picnic basket for tonight.  She added the sub.

Took a shower and then a quick nap.  At 1600 we headed to the Gardens.  Nancy’s shift is from 1700 to 2000.  Before the concert I visited the Japanese Garden.  I recommend a Japanese Garden visit to all folks.  Meijer’s Garden is a jewel.

Put up our beach chairs 30 minutes before the concert.  I bought a beer, ate my sub and people watched.  

Tonight’s concrete featured two bands.  They both played tunes from the 60s.  The first band was all male from Holland.  The second band were six women call the 6 Pac.  Great concert especially the 6 PAC.  Nancy said they sold over 2,000 tickets.  Capacity seating is 1,800.  Great way to spend a warm summer’s evening.  

Monday August 13, 2018

Monday August 13, 2018

It was warm but very humid when first went out.  It was also dark and I needed my flashlight.  We have lost an hour of daylight since June.

Nancy has a busy morning.  She headed to a class at MVP and then at noon she is attending a lunch with some gift shop alumni.  This afternoon she has an appointment with her foot doctor.

I took a shorter route to the Y this morning.  Need to conserve some energy because I am going kayaking this afternoon.

This and that:

Is Elon Musk about to implode?

The hot dry weather in the UK has diminishes the wild grouse population.  Grouse is a popular dish in the UK.  I love eating game birds like partridge and pheasant.  Hunting them was one of my favorite fall activity.

Did you know that today is “Left Handers Day”? Shake a lefty’s hand. 

Turkey’s Erdogan seems to have backed himself into a corner.  It usually happens to autocrats.

The papers that contribute to the Apple News app seem to be limiting their selections.  They want you to subscribe to their paper.

The ex POTUS staff member who recorded her firing by General Kelly is making headlines.  She was out of line.  Firing someone is never easy but when dealing with huge egos is especially difficult.  

Nancy was at her luncheon when I got home.  Had a quick lunch and then grabbed my super light weight canoe paddle and headed to Millennium Park.  I rented a solo kayak.  It has been about three years since I have been in a one person kayak.  It was a pleasant day for a paddle.  The temp was mid 80s with no wind.  

I noted a lot of families were on the water.  They were taking advantage of the nice weather.  School starts next week.

I had no pain paddling.  I need some practice on my J stroke.  I am still pondering purchasing a kayak.

 Nancy was still at the foot doctors when I got home.  Quick shower and then grabbed the iPad and headed to the deck.

Nancy was happy with the solutions the Doctor proposed for her chronic foot pain.  She is pondering her choices.

We had a light.  After my walk I prepared our snacks.  Tonight we watched Goliath on Prime.  It is kind of grim.

The nice weather will continue through tomorrow.  When folks complain of the heat I remind them of April.  April was cold and wet.  I’ll take heat anytime.

Sunday August 12, 2018

Weekend Update, August 11/12 2018

Blog time Sunday 1700 at Panera

Saturday August 11

Saturday was pleasant.  We slept in until after 7.  Following our Saturday schedule we walked to Panera for breakfast.  Oatmeal, banana, coffee and bagel for me and a coffee for Nancy.

At home Nancy started the laundry.  In my youth laundry day was Monday.  Today with so many women working it has changed to the weekend.  Is it sexist that I assumed women do the laundry?

I loaded up the bike and headed to Millennium Park.  First time this year at Millennium.  They have made several nice improvement.  The bike trail was crowded.  I did make a quick stop at the boathouse to see if they have solo kayaks for rent.  They did.  Think I will rent a kayak before buying one.  Don’t know if my shoulder will hold up to several hours of paddling.  Today I rode 15 miles.  Millennium Park is a great example of turning played out gravel pits and oil fields into something positive.  I have seen mink and many deer in the park.

Quick lunch and then some chores before showering.  At 1700 we headed to dinner at an Italian restaurant in Alpine Twp.  We picked up our old neighbor Sonya.  The restaurant was crowded as it should be because the food was great.

Tonight Debbie FaceTimed us.  Grandson Lucas is spending the week with Debbie.  She has a full week of activities planned.

We watched an episode of “Call the Midwife” before turning in.

Sunday August 12, 2018

The alarm goes off at 0615.  It was dark when I took Ms P out.

This summer Nancy and I have been walking around our block first thing Sunday mornings.  It is a pleasant time for a walk.  We encounter no traffic or walkers.  Temp was in mid 60s with sun.  Perfect conditions for a walk.

Nancy showered and I had a quick breakfast before heading to Trinity Lutheran.  Most folks must be done with their summer vacation because the church was crowded.

Stopped a Meijer’s for supplies and gas.  Gas was $2.99 per gallon today.

I changed clothes and did my stretches and reduced calisthenics before reading several sections of the GRP.  I took my Sunday nap.

After the nap I biked to ACE to purchase some more bolts for my kayak rack.  After I headed to Panera, needed some time to start this weekend’s blog.

Nancy fixed her world famous scrambled eggs for dinner.  We also had spinach pie and peaches.  Dishes and then a very short walk.  It was too hot for my normal evening walk.  Snacks and then we watched two episodes of DCI Banks.  We finished season one. I like this show.  Today for the first time this year I put on my CPAC mask.  I thought is might help me sleep better.  It didn’t.

Friday August 10, 2018

Friday August 10, 2018

Blog time 1130 at Panera

Up before the sun this morning.  Looks like another nice sunny day ahead.  Nancy headed to MVP and after breakfast I biked to the Y.

Great day for a ride but no critters were seen.  Where are the Deer and Turkey’s?

I think I am suffering from Trump fatigue.

This and that:

BRexit negotiations seem to be going nowhere.

Nice Canada is playing hardball with Saudi Arabia.

POTUS did the right thing to put sanctions on Russia for the nerve gas attacks in the UK.

The Lions play an preseason game in Oakland tonight.  Who cares?

I think tariffs and immigration will be big campaign issues this fall.

Shower and then a quick lunch.  We decide to have an early dinner at Rose’s.  

Spent some time working on my kayak before heading to Rose’s.  We sat outside and had drinks and a nice meal.  An absolutely great day to sit outside on the shores of Reeds Lake.  

At home I took my evening walk before snacks.  We watched and episode of DCI Bank followed by Murder in Paradise.  I read several chapters of The President is Missing before falling asleep.

   

Thursday August 9, 2018

Thursday August 9, 2018

Blog time 1130 at Panera

Got up with the sun this morning, 0640.  The days are getting shorter.  Nancy headed out to her Thursday swim at MVP.  It was sprinkling lightly when I first went out.  After breakfast I put on my rain jacket and pedaled to the Y.  Encountered no rain on the 7.7 mile ride.  Summer classes at the Y are still going full blast.  They should be winding down soon because school starts on August 20.

 Natural disasters are dominating the news.  150,000 are displaced by the earthquake in Indonesia.  The forest fires in CA continue creating havoc.  In CA they have 14,000 fire fighters working to contain the blaze.  Photos of both disasters show the scale of the devastation.

On these hot August days I recall a project I worked on in the early 50s.  A large limestone operation south of Roger City shipped the stone out on large lake freighters.  The new lake freighters needed 30 feet of water.  The existing harbor was too shallow.  Dad’s firm was hired to measure water depths and prepare a map so the contractor knew where to dredge.  We outfitted a wood boat with outriggers.  My job was to drop a weighted tape into the water and shout out the depth to the engineer on shore.  There were three of us on the boat.  I wore a swim suit.  It was very hot and the water was clear and warm (for Lake Huron).  At lunch and coffee break time I would jump in the water and swim around.  Best tan I ever had.  I couldn’t believe I was paid to do this job.

After lunch I headed down to my office and completed some projects.  We are meeting with our financial guy next week.  I put some of our data on a spread sheet.  It had been awhile since I have used a spread sheet so I needed some refreshing.  I first started using a spread sheet in 1983.  It was called VisiCalc.  I used it on my RadioShack TRS80 computer.  Has anyone ever heard of VisiCalc?  

I also contacted Trinity Lutheran to get my name on a list to do some weekday jobs.  The church is undergoing a big renovation and volunteers are needed for light chores like painting and moving furniture.  

Final chore was to bike to Macatawa Bank to get money for Kim.  She will clean tomorrow.

Nancy had a 1400 appointment with our dermatologist, Dr Mary Yurko.  She got a clean bill.

We had a light dinner.  Dishes, a walk and snacks before we settled down to watch an episode of DCI Banks.  I read several chapters of the Clinton/Patterson book.  I like the short chapters.

  

Wednesday August 8, 2018

Wednesday August 8, 2018

Blog time 0939 at Panera

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: MARY HELEN SCOTT CRANDALL!

Today is my Sister Helen’s birthday.  I remember in 41’ when Mom and Dad brought Helen home.  I think bed rest was required for all new mothers because Dad picked up Mother in his arms and carried her upstairs.  Quite a feat of strength.  Oh the silly things I remember.

Today is my easy Wednesday.  I plan on breakfast at Panera and then a bike ride on the Musketawa Trail.  It was 68 and very humid this morning but no rain predicted.

Nancy headed out to MVP.  She has a busy day.  Meijer’s this afternoon and then Book Club.  I am on my own for dinner.

Biked straight to Panera.  Had an oatmeal, banana, bagel and coffee breakfast.  Quick check of emails and read the headlines.  At home I loaded my bike on the rack and drove to the Masketawa Trail in Ottawa County.  This is a popular “rails to trails” bike path.  The parking lot was crowded.  First time on this trail this year.  It is a well maintained trail that passes through prosperous looking farms.  The corn is all tasseled out and to my eye looks good.  I pedaled to Conklin and back a distance of 15 miles.  The creation of bike trails on abandoned RR right of ways was brilliant.  

I have commented many times how uncivil our public officials are to each other.  But has all the yelling and shouting caught the attention of the ordinary folks.  Turnout at Tuesday’ primary elections was at record levels.  This is a good sign.  Participation is important.  We all have a stake in the government.

Did not get home until 1400.  Quick lunch and then the Wednesday chores, trash and laundry.  I even found time for a short nap.

Nancy had Book Club so I was on my own for dinner.  I walked to Panera for a bowl of Black Bean soup.  I gave it a C-.

Tonight we watched two episodes of Endeavour on Amazon Prime.  I like UK police dramas.  Temp was in mid 70s with 90% humidity when we turned in.  Opened the window extra wide.