Wednesday August 7, 2019

Wednesday August 7, 2019

Blog time 1030 at Panera

Another nice sunny day in GR.  Nancy headed out to her class at MVP.  This afternoon she is working at the Gardens.

I got up at 0700.  Calisthenics at 50% today because it is my easy Wednesday.  Biked to Panera and had an oatmeal breakfast.

Finished yesterday’s blog before reading the news. I scan the USA news but spend some time on World News.  I usually read any news on China, Turkey, Russia or the UK.  

Statements by the leaders of China or USA immediately impacts the stock market.  I don’t think the trade issue will be resolved until after the 2020 election.

Speaking of elections, Tuesday was Election Day in many Michigan communities.  I was pleased to see almost all library and road millages passed.  Shows folks are willing to pay for quality of life issues.

On way home I stopped at bank to get money for Kim and her daughter, Brenna.  Kim cleans this week and Brenna is house siting while we attend Nancy’s reunion.

Nancy left for the Gardens at 1230.  Shower, lunch and then drove to the cleaners to drop off some shirts.

Normal Wednesday afternoon activities, trash, laundry and nap.  Today I also ironed two pair of pants and packed for our weekend trip.

Light dinner followed by Nancy’s cheese/pill snack.  I took a short walk before settling down for some Apple TV.  I watched another episode of the Outlander.  Most of the show is set in 1743 Scotland.  I can see why my ancestors left for North America.

Took Ms P out at 1000 and saw a foot long Garter snake.  I had to restrain Ms P.  What would she have done if she caught it?  

Tuesday August 6, 2019

Tuesday August 6, 2019

Blog time 1100 at Panera

This morning Nancy and Ms P were up at 0600.  I once again overslept.  Got up at 0700.

We had a light rain pass through last night.  My weather app said rain all this morning.

Nancy headed out early this morning for her Tuesday swim at MVP.  She returned 20 minutes later saying the pool was closed because of equipment breakdown.

After breakfast I stepped outside to check the weather.  I thought it looked ok to bike.  I was just underway when it started to sprinkle.  Changed course and took the short route to the Y.  The rain had stopped about 20 minutes into my ride.

Calisthenics and a walk before heading to Panera.  Finished yesterday’s blog and read some news before heading home.

Busy day today for Bob and Nancy.  I am driving Nancy to her 1500 doctor’s appointment.  After the visit we are driving directly to Meijer Gardens.  Tonight we are working at the concert. 

Shower and then lunch, normal lunch of yogurt, hard boiled egg and cheese.  After I reclined on my easy chair and slept sound for 30 minutes.

At 1430 we headed to Mercy Health located south of M6 on Byron Center.  Nancy checked in and had an X-ray taken of her foot.  The Doctor was 20 minutes late so Nancy told the receptionist she had to work at the Gardens and needed to leave.  The receptionist rescheduled.  Nancy thanked her by giving her a free pass to the Gardens.

Got to the Gardens at 1630 just in time for both of us to check in.  Nancy sold tickets and I took tickets.  I was very busy because half the ticket takers did not show.  Like last week the Gardens had a capacity crowd.  The concert started at 1900 but folks were still streaming in at 1930.  

The free Tuesday concerts draw a nice eclectic mix of folks. Although seniors and large families seem to predominant, Nancy said she thought she sold unusual number of tickets to single women.  It was a beautiful summer’s evening.

After the shift I bought a hot dog and beer and watched the concert.  We liked the first band but gave the second band a C+.  Got home at 2130.  Watched the ending of an NCIS rerun before turning in.    

Monday August 5, 2019

Monday August 5, 2019

Blog time 1100 at Panera

Nancy got up with Ms P at 0600.  I slept in until 0645.

Looks like another great summer day.  Temp at 0800 was 69 with bright sun.   High expected to reach 87 this afternoon.

Nancy headed to her class at MVP and after breakfast I biked to the Y.  This morning I did see a flock of turkeys.

The Y classes were full this morning.  The kid’s camps are still in full swing.

Sure sign fall is coming:

Walnuts and acorns are dropping from the trees.

High school girl swimmers are practicing at the Y.

The young robins nesting in our security light have left the nest.

MVP had several youth football camps at their outdoor facility.

Back to school sales at local retain outlets.

This and that:

Part of my morning routine at Panera is to check the stock market.  Today it plunged on news of POTUS’s new tariffs on China.  Bummer!

The demonstrations in Russia and Hong Kong highlights underlying problems with regimes that try to control free speech.  Everyone wants a voice.

Congress is taking August off.  I think this might be good.

Showered and then a quick lunch.  This afternoon I ran several errands.  

First stop, Meijer’s to buy supplies for my Dopp Kit.  Bought a travel tooth brush, shaving cream and face lotion.  

This weekend we are going to Terre Haute for Nancy’s HS reunion and in September we hope to make a quick trip to Ca.

Stopped at Dick’s Sporting Goods and Gazelle Sports to look at their selection of Keen shoes.  I want a pair of high tops and Nancys wants a closed toe sandal.  Neither store had what I wanted.

At home I took a nap followed by our apple snack.  Spent some time in the office paying bills.

For dinner we had our Monday night standard, Cheerios with peaches.  Fixed Nancy her cheese/pill snack before walking to mail box.  The humidity was oppressive.  Turned on the AC as soon as I got home.

Tonight we watched an Australian crime show on Acorn.  Nancy headed to bed and I watched another episode of Outlander.  Turned off AC at midnight.

   

Sunday August 4, 2019

Weekend Update for Week ending 04AUG.

Blog time 1600 Saturday sitting in office.

Saturday Aug 3:

This morning after taking care of our pills and Ms P, Nancy and I walked to Panera.  Perfect morning for a walk.

We were the first folks to sit down at Panera.  I had my standard oatmeal breakfast.  Nancy had coffee.

At home Nancy headed out to get her hair cut (looks good).  I took a 14 mile bike ride.  

When I got home Nancy was doing laundry.  I shaved and showered before lunch.

Spent the afternoon;

Finishing yesterday’s blog

Reading the papers

The shootings at Walmart in El Paso and later at Dayton dominated the news.  Is there an answer to our lone gunman problem?  I am sure we will get plenty of advice during the 2020 election campaign.

Flower Gardens:  Cascade Twp vs Midsomer small villages;

I like watching English mysteries that take place in small villages.  I always comment on how pretty the English gardens are.  Well this summer I have been paying attention to the gardens around Cascade Twp.  I think in a contest we would win.  Local folks must be taking extra care planting their flowers.  Looks great.

For dinner Nancy fixed a stuffed pork chop.  Very good.

Debbie FaceTimed us this evening.  We got caught up.  This week GR was warmer than San Jose.  

We watched several new shows on Apple TV.  We did not like either.

Went to bed with AC on.  Turned AC off at midnight.

Sunday August 4:

Up at 0630.  First thing this morning Nancy and I took a walk around the block.  Nancy showered and I headed to Panera for a coffee.  We left for Trinity Lutheran at 0845.

As one might expect for a summer in mid-summer we had a small crowd.  Nancy and I did note that old folks were the predominant attendees.  I sure hope that is because young families are vacationing.

Make a quick stop at Meijer’s on way home.  Filled up the Escape but cannot remember the price of gas.

Dropped off our Meijer’s purchases and then headed to Walmart.  We took back about 70 returnables which paid for most of our purchases.

Read some of the GRP before lunch.  Took my afternoon nap followed by a 1.5 mile walk.  Very hot so I required a shower when got home.  It is 86 at 1730.  Turned on AC.

Today is my good childhood friend Tommy Collins’ birthday.  Tommy is 80 and now lives in San Clemente, Ca.  Each year I give Tommy a call.  Great memories of our youth.

We had Nancy’s world famous scrambled eggs with bacon for dinner.  Nancy cut up at cantaloupe which we had as our dessert.

This evening finished reading GRP before switching to Apple TV.  We watched an episode of Midsomer Murders.  Nancy headed to bed and I stayed up and watched an episode of Outlander.  Turned off the AC at midnight.

Friday August 2, 2019

Friday August 2, 2019

Blog time 1130 at Panera

Normal morning, Nancy up at 0550 with Ms P and I get up at 0630.  Nancy never eats breakfast. She left at 0730 for her class at MVP.  

I had breakfast.  It was 55 when I left for the Y at 0800.  An hour later when I got to the Y the temp was 70.  Calisthenics and walk before heading to Panera.

I got a message from my Sister, Helen, at 1030.  She and two Granddaughters were visiting a friend at Sentinel Pt.  Sentinel Pt is just down the street from our condo.  

After her visit Helen and Granddaughters are heading to GVSU.  Helen wanted directions.  Granddaughter Paige starts GVSU this fall.

This and that:

Will Puerto Rico ever resolve their Governor problem?  Whatever happened to PR’s independence movement?

President Trump pulls the USA out of the missile treaty with Russia.  Russia had already disregarded the treaty.  I was surprised that NATO actually had little objection.

Is this a bit too much!  The young folks in Sweden are now objecting to air travel because of its impact on Climate Change.  Taking a train or a ship is now the preferred method of travel.

It was 80 when I left Panera at 1230.  Showered, lunch and then headed downstairs to the office.  

I wrote my monthly letter to Grandkids.  Also cleaned my in basket.  Yes even us old folks have in baskets.

At 1600 Nancy and I headed out to an early dinner at Schnitz Deli in Ada Village.  We sat outside.  Perfect day for outside dining.  I had a bowl of cream of Broccoli soup and two glasses of wine.  Nancy had a club sandwich with diet drink.  I ate half her sandwich.  We give the place an A for both food and atmosphere.  Love summer outside dining!

At home we watched several shows on Acorn.  The temp was in high 60s at bed time.  Once again no AC needed.      

  

Thursday August 1, 2019

Thursday August 1, 2019

Blog time 1150 at Panera

Nancy and Ms P were up at 0500.  I slept in until 0700.  Nancy headed out early for her Thursday swim.  This afternoon she is having lunch with Kathi Kothe.  They will swim in Kathi’s pool after lunch.

Today I took my normal 7 mile route to the Y.  Light traffic and no critters.  Where are the wild turkeys?  It was 55 when I left home and when I got to the Y it was 70.  The Sun has some warmth.

Today is first day of August.  Most kids probably feel some sadness because Vacation is winding down.  I should start seeing high school cross country teams out running in the early mornings.

Brexit/Boris, Democrat’s debate, and Trump raising the tariffs on Chinese goods, Feds rate cut dominates the news.  With the nice weather we have been having who has time to worry about the news.  Get outside folks and enjoy!

Got home just as Nancy was leaving for lunch and a swim with Kathi.  After a shower and lunch I headed to Rivertown Mall in Grandville.  I wanted to see what Eddie Bauer had on sale.  I bought light weight trousers that were 40% off.  The new materials are really comfortable.

I also stopped at Cabela’s.  Cabela’s has a large selection of clothing that I like.  However, today nothing caught my eye.

At home I took a short nap.  Nancy got home at 1700.  She got sunburned swimming this afternoon.

For dinner I drove to Subway and got a turkey breast sub.  It hit the spot.

No snack tonight for Nancy.  I took a short walk before  we watched Father Brown followed by Covert Affairs.  No AC tonight, a great night for sleeping.    

Wednesday July 31, 2019

Wednesday July 31, 2019

Blog time 1130 at Panera

Good grief it is the last day of July.  The summer is moving too fast.

Today I have Breakfast Club.  Up at 0515 and get ready.  Took Ms P out at 0600 and the temp was a pleasant 60.

Good crowd at BC.  Today I gave the Invocation.  No major blunders.

We had a great speaker today.  He is in charge of the Ford Museum’s Historical Presidential Study.  Also a History Prof at GVSU.  Very interesting.

Headed straight home after BC.  Changed to bike clothes and headed to Panera.  Finished yesterday’s blog before heading back home.

July Memories continues:

In July 1964 Ltjg Scott was about to complete his 18 month tour in Vietnam in late August.  I was also completing my military obligation in Sep.  

The military ran Rest and Relaxation flights to Hong Kong and Bangkok.  I had taken the Hong Kong R&R and our construction headquarters were in Bangkok so I had to visit Bangkok about every 4 months.  I wanted to visit an area unique to Asia.   My career plan after the Navy was to return to Alpena, Mi and work for Scott Engineering for the rest of my life.  I thought I would never return to Asia.

I selected Singapore and Malaysia.  Malaysia had just received its independence from Britain in 1963.  Singapore was part of Malaysia.  I would have to pay for the trip out of my own pocket.

Went down to the Air France office and bought a ticket to Singapore.  I wanted to stay at the Raffles in Singapore but it was under renovation so I stayed at a local hotel.  I spent several days sightseeing in Singapore.  

I had never slept on a train so I bought a first class ticket to the Capital of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur.  I took the morning train to KA.  It was about a ten hour ride through jungle and pretty green villages.  

I checked into my hotel, walked around KA and decided to go to a local movie.  I saw Tom Jones with Malaysian and Chinese subscripts.  I was the only blue eye in the theater.  

Next day visited the sites in KA.  Around 1800 I boarded the train and found my sleeping berth.  For dinner I sat in the Club Car and had a nice long dinner with wine.  I thought I was a man of the world. (I have a vivid imagination)  After dinner I returned to my berth and the bed was already made up.  I slept like a baby on the ride back to Singapore.  The Porter woke me about an hour out and I was provided a breakfast of tea and biscuits.  Left for Saigon later that day.  Great memory.

This afternoon Nancy is working at the Gardens.  Lunch, laundry and trash before my nap.

Fixed an apple snack when Nancy got home.  Tonight we had a light dinner.  Fixed Nancy her cheese/pill snack before a walk to the mail box.

Tonight we watched an episode of Murder in Suburbia.  I think we had already seen it.  Nancy headed to bed and I watched Under Cover before turning in.  No AC today and the nice weather will continue through the end of the week.