Thursday November 7, 2019

Thursday November 7, 2019

Blog time 1140 at Panera

Up at 0630 Nancy reported a trace of snow on the ground.  Temperature in mid 20s.

Nancy headed out at 0700 for her swim.  She is having lunch today with friends.

Today I took my bike with the steel studded tires to the Y.  Good move because I did encounter some icy patches.  Also took a shorter route, 5 miles.  The selected route was about 90% on bike paths.

Calisthenics and walk at the Y.  I did add 0.5 miles to walk.  

At Panera finished yesterday’s blog and started reading the news.  It is now noon and the temperature is only 31.

Got home at 1300.  Nancy was still at lunch.  Shaved and showered before lunch.  

This afternoon I:

Finished packing for Ca trip.

Got on Hertz’s web site and ordered a rental.  It was painless.

Spent time trying to get my new bike speedometer working.  Downloaded the app but got confused as how to get the bar code on my iphone.  Poor installation instructions.

Fixed our afternoon apple snack.

Read the news but nothing I want to comment on.

Nancy fixed chicken breast with baked potatoes and peas for dinner.  After dinner I fired up the dishwasher, fixed our snacks and watched the news and Jeopardy.

It is Thursday so we watched the new episode of Doc Martin.  As always it was great.

Missy FaceTimed us tonight.  We talked about our visit to CA.  She called from her car and I saw Akerke sound asleep.  Kids can sleep anywhere.  For that matter so can I.

Temperature was in mid 20s when we bedded down.  

Wednesday November 6, 2019

Wednesday November 6, 2019

Blog time 1150 at Panera:

Breakfast Club Wednesday.  Up with 0515 alarm.  Dressed, took Ms P out, stopped at Panera for coffee to take with me to BC.

The temperature was 27 with light snow when headed out.    The weather folks say it will be an all day snow with some accumulation.

Good crowd at Breakfast Club.  The theme for BC was Veteran’s Day.  Several patriotic poems were read.  A local singer and piano player was on the program.  We said the Pledge and then listened to a short program on the song “Battle Hymn of the Republic” and “John Brown’s Body”, etc.  Enjoyable.

Stopped at the Y on my way home.  Did my normal routine at 50%. 

At Meijer’s picked up a prescription and some supplies for our up coming trip to Ca.  I even started packing.

Nancy headed out for her shift at the Gardens.  It is snowing and cold so don’t think many folks will visit.

Activities for rest of day:

Continued packing

Put recharged bike lights back on my Cannondale Bike (Bad Boy)

Took out trash

Lunch

Load of laundry

Nap

Nancy got home at 1630 and I fixed our apple snack.

This and that:

Good grief: Xerox is proposing taking over HP.  I have never owned a Xerox product but have owned plenty of HP items.  I loved their hand held calculators with RPN.  In fact I use to buy all my new employees a HP calculator.  After getting use to the RPN they agreed with me that HP was the best.  Have also owned their computers and survey instruments.

Impeachment, impeachment dominates the news.  Enough already.

The UK’s political scene is more polarizing and nasty than the US.  That is saying a lot.  Not good for any democracy.

The Turkey, Syria and Kurd situation is very confusing.  The only thing I can take away is that Syria’s Assad regime is bad, bad.

Everyday I look at the headlines in the Alpena News.  The declining population in NE Mi is saddening especially as it relates to the schools.  Young folks are leaving because of lack of jobs.  Who knows the answer?

We had a light dinner followed by the after dinner snacks.  Watched the news and Jeopardy before switching to a crime show on Acorn, Commander.  I stayed up and watched Borderliner a Norwegian show.

Temperature in mid 20s tonight with snow.  Will need my winter bike tomorrow. 

Tuesday November 5, 2019

Tuesday November 5, 2019

Blog time 1120 at Panera:

Up at 0630, Nancy had already taken Ms P out.  Nancy headed out at 0715 for her Tuesday swim at MVP.  Later she will have lunch with college friend Karen Horlings.

I left home at 0800 in bright sun.  The temperature was 36.  This morning I did see a deer grazing in the front lawn of a home along heavily traveled Cascade Road.  I did not see any Turkeys this morning.  In fact I have not seen any in two weeks.  Do turkeys go south?

The Y was very crowded this morning.  The vigorous Body Pump and Boot Camp classes were full.  I did the same calisthenics I have been doing for decades and took a 0.6 mile walk before heading to Panera.

Lately Panera has been empty during the mid-morning period.  Maybe the regulars have headed south for winter?

Quick shave and shower before lunch.  After lunch Nancy and I headed to the Apple Store in Woodland Mall.  Nancy had some questions about her email especially junk mail.  

While Nancy was in the store I took a mile walk around the mall.  Many new stores in the Mall and it seems in good shape.  

Fixed apple snack when we got home.  I finished the afternoon with a nap.

For dinner we had chicken dumpling soup followed by our evening snacks.  Tonight we watched NCIS.  Nancy headed to bed and I stayed up and watched the first episode of Borderliner a cop show set in Sweden with English subtitles.  Ok so far.

Monday November 4, 2019

Monday November 4, 2019

Blog being written on Tuesday the 5th at Panera, 1040.

It was cool, 39, this morning.  Sunrise is an hour earlier than last week which is great.  The sun was up when I left this morning at 0800.  With no wind the ride was pleasant.  The walks were covered with leaves.  I expect most of the trees will be bare by next week.  Sad.  We usually won’t get full foliage until the end of April next year.

Normal calisthenics and walk at the Y until heading to Panera.  Finished my weekend blog and read some news before leaving at 1130.  I have to be home by noon because the window washing company said they will arrive between noon and 1400. 

Quick shower and then some office work while waiting for the washers to arrive.  They arrived at 1400.  They crew of two washed all our windows inside and out in about 90 minutes.  Reasonable price.  Now Nancy will have clean windows when she hosts her Book Club on Friday.

This and that:

POTUS is officially pulling the USA out of the Paris Climate Accord.  Dumb move.

POTUS has also been ordered to turn over tax returns.  He keeps refusing.  Why should he be different all other Presidents who have revealed their returns.

This afternoon I send the Grandkids my monthly note.  Drove to D&W to mail the notes.

Bought yard waste bags at Ace Hardware.  Filled one bag and left at curb.  It was picked up later by the landscape crew after they cleared our lawn of leaves.  Probably last yard work this season.

Fixed apple snack before taking a short nap.

Light dinner tonight followed by cheese/cracker snack for Nancy and two pieces of 100% cocoa for Bob.

After the news and Jeopardy we watched an episode of No Offence.  Good episode.  One episode was left in the season so we watched it.  We usually don’t watch two episodes in an evening.

Light rain when I took Ms P out.  Tomorrow morning should be cool, low 30s, but with sun.  Sun is good.   

Sunday November 3, 2019

Week end update for WE November 3

Blog being written on Monday Nov 4 at Panera (hope I can remember what I did over the weekend)

Saturday morning:  it was cold with snow possible.  Nancy is working at the Garden’s Christmas sale today so I am on my own.

Did a few calisthenics at home before biking to Panera for an oatmeal breakfast.  Some of the regulars wanted to know where Nancy was, I told them.

After breakfast I got on bike and rode home taking my weekday route but only reversed.  It is easier reversed.

Showered and shaved and finished reading the news before lunch.  Nancy got home at 1400 and immediately started the laundry.  

Watched some of the UM vs Maryland game.  UM keeps winning but something is missing.  They do not appear confident.

This evening we had dinner with our old neighbor, Sonya.  Picked Sonya up at 1730 and headed to Ada.  We had dinner at Nonna’s, a small Italian restaurant.  The place was crowded.  

We all liked the small, cozy atmosphere offered.  The food was also very good but pricey.  I had the Salmon and Nancy had an apple salad and soup.  Good evening.

Got home about 2000.  Debbie FaceTimed us this evening.  We got caught up.  I watched an Apple TV show before turning in.

Sunday November 3, 2019

Thank God Daylight Savings time is gone.  I like an early sunrise.  We started our Sunday walk at 0730 in daylight.  We walked 1.33 miles on a pleasant flat route.

Breakfast and then headed to Panera to get a coffee to take to Church.  Big crowd at Trinity Lutheran.  Today was All Saints Day (I think).

Made a quick stop at Meijer’s.  Gas was $1.28 today.  

Left home at 1130 and headed to the Moleski’s for a soup lunch.  Nancy’s entire book club was in attendance.

Four kinds of soups were available, along with cornmeal muffins.  Bloody Mary’s and wine were also served.  Pleasant time probably because we did not talk politics.  

Got home at 1530 in time for a short nap.  We had a light dinner.  

Nancy contacted Steve and Melissa about setting up a meeting next Monday at our hotel in CA.  Both families found the time ok.

We watched 60 Minutes and then an episode of Midsomer Murders before turning in.

Friday November 1, 2019

Friday November 1, 2019

Blog time noon at Panera:

No snow accumulated last night but the temperature was 32 this morning.  Nancy headed to MVP and after breakfast I got on my winter bike and headed to the Y.

I took the winter bike because I thought I might encounter some icy patches on my ride.  Did not happen.

Took the shorter 5 mile ride to the Y.  Today after calisthenics I walked a mile.  My time for a mile was 20 minutes and everyone was passing me.  

They never quit.  New forest fires started last night in Ventura County.   However, forest fires are not new to Ventura County.  In November 1961 while attending the Navy’s Civil Engineering Corps Officer’s school in Port Hueneme, Ventura County we were put on standby because of nearby forest fires.  We were going to be volunteered to help fight the fires.  Luckily, the fires were contained and we were not needed.

Got home from Panera at 1300.  Kim was still cleaning so I got in the Taurus and headed to Ada Bike.  I took the Taurus because Kim’s car blocked the Escape.  

I had purchased a new bike speedometer that worked off cell towers.  No wires.  Easy to switch from bike to bike.  I want to know how many miles I ride in a year.  This year I think I have ridden about 1800 miles.  Really don’t know because no meter on the Bianchi (winter bike). 

After Ada Bike I headed to Costco but as I pulled into the lot realized my card was in the Escape.  Turned around and headed home.  Finally at Costco purchased sandwich thins, wine and a hot dog for later.  The store was crowded but they had many lanes open.  Very short wait.

No nap today but I did fix our apple snack.  This evening we attended a member’s only Art’s and Crafts show at Meijer’s Garden.  Left home at 1700.  Spent some time looking around.  Our only purchase was a bag of Doggy treats made from byproducts of beer brewing.

At home I ate my hot dog with some chips and a hard boiled egg.  We watched an episode of Mid Somerdyke Murders before turning in.  Low 30s tonight but no snow.

  

Thursday October 31, 2019

Thursday October 31, 2019

Blog time 1145 at Fox Ford

The rain and cold continues.  Nancy said it was still raining and cold when she went out this morning.  In fact snow warnings up for this evening.

Nancy has a busy day today.  She left at 0700 for her Thursday swim.  Later she has an appointment with Doctor Yurko, our dermatologist.  This afternoon she has training at the Gardens followed by a hair cut.

No bike today.  After breakfast I drove to the Y.  It was 38 and raining hard.  For my aerobic exercise I rowed for six minutes.  My Apple Watch rowing app said my average heart rate was 170.  Like my swimming heart rate I think the rowing rate is too high.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!  Halloween is my least favorite holiday.  However,  I do remember one enjoyable Halloween.  It was 1973 and Nancy and I had just moved into our big house on Mackinaw Road in the Ottawa Hills neighborhood.  The girls had started a new school and we had not had a chance to meet our new neighbors.  

Debbie did meet Molly Kirkwood who lived across the street.  Debbie said we could go trick or treating with the Kirkwoods.  It was a warm beautiful fall evening.  Debbie and Missy were all dressed up.  Nancy and Steve who was only 3 months stayed home to hand out treats.  The neighborhood streets were packed with young families.  Jack Kirkwood introduced me to several neighbors.  Every one was very friendly.  The girls loved it.  I got a great impression of our new neighborhood.  

Nancy made a great decision picking out the house and neighborhood.  We lived in Ottawa Hills for over 40 years.  Great memories.

At Panera I finished yesterday’s blog and read my email before heading to Fox Ford.  I am now sitting in the waiting room eating popcorn and reading the papers.

Every time I go to the Ford dealer I walk around the showroom.  The only non SUV or Pickup in the showroom were tricked out Mustangs priced at $40,000+.  I guess the standard 4 door sedan is a thing of the past.

The new small Ford pickup, Ranger, is also over $40,000.  They only had the crew cab on display.  In fact there were no extended cab or standard cabs in the lot.  What happens if gas prices skyrocket.  Buy small Japanese sedans?

We still switch channels when impeachment news comes on.  Who wants to listen to all the grandstanding by pols of both parties.

The devastation caused by the California fires is hard to fathom.  Homes are completely destroyed right down to the foundations.  The heat generated must be tremendous.

Got home just as Nancy was leaving for her training at the Gardens.  Second training session in a week.  Nancy will get her hair cut after the training.

Lunch and then a quick nap.  Finished reading and then when Nancy got home prepared our apple snack.  

For dinner Nancy fixed me a stout pie with peas.  We watched the news and Jeopardy while eating our evening snack.

Tonight, being Thursday, a new episode of Doc Martin was released.  We watched it.  The best show on TV.

Nancy headed to bed and I continued watching the Welsh crime show.  It was 32 and a snow/rain mix was falling when I took Ms P out at 2230.

Tonight we had no Trick or Treaters.  In fact we have never had any at the condo.  Snow accumulations predicted for tonight.