Friday February 7, 2020

Friday February 7, 2020

Blog time 1125 at Panera

It was 20 degrees when Nancy went out with Ms P.  She left at 0715 for MVP.  She takes a class called Healthy Life Styles.  She likes this class.  Later today she is taking some sloppy joes over to the Hartmans.  Jackie Hartman just had some major surgery.  Friends are providing meals until she recovers.

Drove to the Y today.  Calisthenics, stationary bike, and short walk.  Showered and then headed to Panera for oatmeal, coffee and some reading.

This and that:

I am surprised at the number of young men at the Y in mid morning.  Apparently they either work from home or have flexible hours.  

What a difference a year makes.  Last year in January the Alpena Schools had 20 snow days.  This year they had 1.

The most popular winter coat for both men and women are down (polyester) jackets.

Is China getting a handle on the Coronavirus?

At home I took a 30 minute walk.  Put out corn for deer before lunch.

Spent some office time before a nap.  After the nap fixed our afternoon apple snack.

It was snowing when we headed out at 1700 for dinner at Brann’s.  Nancy had her favorite margarita and I a glass of wine.  I had a bowl of chili and Nancy had a Cuban chicken sandwich.

Every Friday night on the PBS news I like to watch the Brooks and Shield comments on the past week events.  Brooks is the moderate and Shield’s is what today is called a progressive.  I always think Brooks tops Shield.

Tonight we watched an episode of Brokenwood Mysteries on Acorn.  I slept through most of the show.

Right before turning the TV off I switched to the Democratic Presidential debate.  Watched for about 20 minutes.  I thought ABC did a poor job running the debate.  

Veronica texted Nancy and gave her a report on Alessandra’s performance in her school’s’ reenactment of the Revolutionary War battle of Yorktown.  Of course she was great.

Light snow when I took Ms P out at 2230. 

Thursday February 6, 2020

Thursday February 6, 2020

Blog time 1125 at Panera

Today is Nancy’s swim day so she was up early.  Took Ms P out and reported we had received about 1/2” of snow.  It was 27.  Our driveway had already been plowed.

No bike today.  I drove to the Y.  Today I changed my exercise routine.  Added the stationary bike and some bench presses.  Eliminated leg raises, and push ups until my stomach muscle has recovered.  Showered and shaved before driving to Panera.  Encountered light snow.

Ordered oatmeal and coffee before checking emails and reading papers.  This and that from news:

The President was acquitted in his impeachment trial.

Senator Romney has been criticized for voting for impeachment.  Why?  He was elected to vote for what he believed.  Since when is voting for what you think is right a problem?  Would Senator Collins get the same flack if she had voted to impeach?

The Dept of Homeland Security will no longer issue Global Entry Cards to New Yorkers.  Apparently New York won’t release info needed when doing a background check on a citizen.  Homeland Security is right.

On this date in 1938, Great grandfather Sanborn said it was warm and foggy in Ossineke, Mi.  Temperature was 34.  Cousin David saw 20 quail.  Great Grandfather was turned back from his trip to Hubbard Lake because of ice on the road.

It was snowing when I left Panera.  As soon as I got home I took a 30 minute walk.  We had planned on going out tonight but I told Nancy I did not want to go out in this weather.  Instead we are having poached eggs on toast.  

Put out corn for deer.  The snow should cover the corn before they arrive later this afternoon.

Late lunch and then headed to office.  

Finished reading the news. 

My bike speedometer will not turn off.  I removed it from the bike and brought it down to the office.  I was going to call the manufacturer but after fiddling around  I got it to work.  Fiddling around often beats reading the manual.

On a whim I bought a gadget at the Apple store that will improve my posture.  The thing attaches to my back and sends a message when I slouch.  I did read this manual.

Took a short nap.

Fixed our apple snack.

Ms P has been failing.  Today she had two accidents in the kitchen.

At exactly 1800 three deer arrived.  They were able to find the corn under the snow.

We had a light dinner.  Tonight after our usual viewing we watched the last episode, season 1, of an Australian detective show.  We both liked the show.

I stayed up and watched an episode of Occupied.

Got two late evening messages.

Missy texted some math problems that AJ was working on.   She was asking for my help, but before I could respond she figured it out.  I thought the problems were kind of difficult for a 12 year old.  Missy says AJ understands which is great.

Got a text from Veronica.  Grandson Lucas, a freshman at Long Beach Poly, was moved up to the varsity soccer team for the So Cal tournament.  Way to Go Lucas.

The snow had stopped when I took Ms P out at 2200.

Wednesday February 5, 2020

Wednesday February 5, 2020

Blog time 1015 at Panera

Today is my easy Wednesday.  It was a cold 21 when Nancy headed out.  Wind chill 15.  Too cold to ride bike.

Nancy left at 0715.  This afternoon she is working at the Gardens.

I left home at 0800 and walked to Panera.  Had a bowl of oatmeal and bagel with peanut butter.  Finished yesterday’s blog before reading news.  

This and that:

Most folks are surprised that Pete Buttigieg was leading in the screwed up Iowa caucuses.  The screwed up Democrat constructed election app has many folks wondering if they can’t develop a simple app how can the run the Country?

The bad manners of both parties during the State of the Union address makes folks wonder can these clowns run the country?

More folks are deciding on renting instead of buying.

Walked home from Panera in bright sun.  As always sun is good.

As soon as I got home I ran errands.  

Stopped at Macatawa Bank because I thought my CD was coming due.  I was mistaken the CD was for 17 months not 12 as I thought.  It will expire in July.

Bought a 35# bag of corn at Chow Hound.

At ACE Hardware bought a tube of super duper glue.  I have to glue several pegs into our antique wood clothes hanger.

This afternoon:

Nancy left at 1230 for her shift at the Gardens.

I took our trash and recyclables.  Also took down the Christmas lights on the deck.

Lunch

Load of laundry

Took a nap

Nancy got home early from the Gardens.  Not many visitors today.

Fixed our apple snack.

Looked outside just before dinner and three deer were eating the corn.

Light dinner, after dinner snack, news/Jeopardy before switching to Acorn.  We watched an Australian crime show.

Light dusting of snow when I took Ms P out at 2200.

Tuesday February 4, 2020

Tuesday February 4, 2020

Swim day for Nancy so she was up early.  The temperature was 35.  Last day of mild weather for awhile.

After breakfast I got on the bike and pedaled to the Y.  Mild calisthenics and walk before my shower.  My sore stomach muscle is not getting better.  I might have to switch to swimming, ugg!

Today is Granddaughter Akerke’s birthday.  She is 12.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AKERKE!

This and that:

Appears Iowa is having trouble determining who won yesterday’s election.  Some news outlet say it is a major snafu.

My bike’s speedometer uses my iPhone.  I keep the phone in an outside pocket.  The cold weather drains the battery.  Luckily I bought a portable charger.  Hooked the iPhone up at Panera and in 20 minutes it is 80% charged.

Tonight is the State of the Union address.  Think our pols will behave?  I don’t plan on watching.

Pleasant bike ride home.  Checking the weather it looks like I won’t be on the bike for awhile.

Quick lunch before heading downstairs.  I have been subscribing to ENR for years.  In recent years I get only the digital edition.  ENR has changed companies handling their electronics so my password had to be changed.  Spent 20 minutes on hold getting my account straightened out.  Will need to do the same thing tomorrow with the GRP.

Paid some bills and then walked to post box to mail them.  Finished the afternoon with a short nap.  Once again I forgot our apple snack.

For dinner Nancy fixed ham and potatoes with peas.  After the news we FaceTimed Akerke to wish her Happy Birthday.  

Watched an episode No Offence.  We did watch several minutes of the SOU.  Too much bragging so Nancy headed to bed.  I watched another episode of Occupied. Very mild when I took Ms P out at 2200.

  

Monday February 3, 2020

Monday February 3, 2020

Nancy was first up this morning.  The temperature was 30 but no wind.  Nancy headed out at 0715. Today she is picking up at neighbor and taking her to MVP.  Later Nancy is having lunch with the Blodgett Gift shop alumni.

After breakfast I looked outside and the sun was coming up.  I decided to take my bike.  Pumped up the tires and headed out.  Took the short 5 mile route to Y.  Great to be on bike.

I am lightening up on ab exercises until the soreness is gone.  Chin-ups and walk remain unchanged.  Showered and then headed to Panera.

I took me over an hour to do my Blog’s weekend update.  I think I will shorten the blog.  Too long and repetitive.

This and that:

Kansas City was the talk at the Y.

Iowa caucus tonight.

Impeachment trial is winding down.

Checked the Alpena News this morning and they had an article on the record warmth for January.  The average January temperature is 19.1.  This year it was 27.4.  A big change!

The bike ride home was pleasant.  It is exactly 3 miles from Panera to the condo.

First thing I did at home was put out corn for deer.  Our recent warm spell has taken the frost out of the ground.  Our backyard is a mud bowl.

Lunch and then we headed to Meijer’s for our week’s supplies.  Gas today was $2.48.  Monday afternoon is a good time to shop at Meijer’s.  The store was empty.

Dropped off our purchases and then I drove to the Cleaner Place to pick up my shirts.  Also stopped at Harvest Food to buy some high cocoa, 90%, chocolate bars.

Spent some time in office doing tasks I have been ignoring.  Brought the lawn chair into the office and took a short nap.  The chair was very uncomfortable.  I put it away.  I will take my naps either in the den’s recliner or my bed.

I forgot to fix our apple snack today.  Light dinner followed by our after dinner snacks.  Watched News/Jeopardy before switching to Acorn.  We watched No Offence.  I stayed up and watched another episode of Occupied.  

Temp was in 40s when took Ms P out at 2200.  Warm spell will end tomorrow.

Sunday February 2, 2020

Weekend Update for WE 02FEB20

Blog time 1135 Monday the 3rd sitting at Panera

Saturday February 1, 2020

I was up at 0500.  Took Ms P out and then back to bed.  Good grief I slept in until 0800.

We checked the weather and decided it was ok to walk to Panera.  Encountered no icy walks.

Oatmeal, coffee and bagel for me and coffee for Nancy.  It started to rain/snow on our walk home.  The temp today will get to 40s.

At home Nancy started laundry and I got in Escape and headed to Breton Village.  Stopped at Fitzgerald’s and Orvis.  I recently bought a pair of pants at Fitzgerald’s.  The material was super stretchy and were not slim fit.  Old men should not wear slim fit.  The pants are super comfortable.  I made no purchase.

At home Nancy and I drove to Trader Joe’s.  Tomorrow we are attending lunch at the Moleski’s.  Our job is to buy the wine.  TJ’s had a good selection.  We bought four bottles.  We encountered heavy rain on way home.

This afternoon, I set out corn for deer, had lunch and then started assembling the clothes pole I bought at IKEA on Wednesday.  The instructions were clear so I had no problem putting the pole together.  The pole has about three times as many hangers as the wood pole it replaces.  Good buy.

I took a nap downstairs using our reclining deck chair.  Put the heating pad on my stomach muscle.  

For dinner we finished the chicken noodle soup.  I also ate some of the baguette we bought at Trader Joe’s.

Tonight Alessandra FaceTimed us.  Great to hear what was happening with her family.

We watched episode of No Offence.  As soon as the episode ended Debbie FaceTimed us.  We got caught up on her activities.  FaceTime is great for keeping up with families.

It was 42 when I took Ms P out at 2200.  

Sunday December 2, 2020

We were both up at 0630.  For the first time in a month we took our Sunday morning walk.  I had a quick breakfast before going to Panera to get coffee for Nancy and I to take to church.

Trinity Lutheran was crowded today.  Because of our lunch at Moleski’s we did not have time for Meijer’s.  

I did have time to put our corn for deer.  We left home at 1130 in bright sun.  The temperature today is expected to reach 50.

The lunch was attended by all of Nancy’s Book Club.  Saugage, chicken and Mac and cheese were on the menu.  Good time.  We were home by 1500.

Of course I had time for my Sunday nap.  We had a very light dinner.  Tonight we watched the Super Bowl.  Nancy and I did not see a commercial we thought was outstanding.  

For the first time this year I watched an entire football game.  I thought it was great, especially the fourth quarter.  Nancy missed Kansas City’s comeback.  She headed to bed thinking SF would win.

Today is Groundhog Day and the no shadow so we will have an early spring.  I don’t think so.

When I took Ms P out we encountered six deer running through our front yard.  Ms P was transfixed.

Yesterday I forgot to mention that Feb 1 was Nancy’s sister Judy’s birthday.  Judy was a great Aunt to our kids.  God Bless Judy and RIP.

Friday January 31, 2020

Nancy was first up.  She said light snow and temps in high 20s.  She left home at 0700 for a class at MVP.

After breakfast I took Ms P out and it was still snowing.  Yesterday I wrote that I would take my bike.  But I don’t ride the bike when it is snowing and the temp is below 32.

Big turnout for the classes at the Y.  However, the number of folks working out on their own was small.  

Because of my stomach muscle pull I lightened up on sit-ups and leg raises.  The area was still tender.  Next week I will start swimming in lieu of calisthenics.  I did walk a mile today.

At Panera this morning instead of a baguette I had a bowl of oatmeal.  Checked the nutrient list and oatmeal has fewer calories than a baguette.  

Today at 2300 in the UK, BRexit will finally be accomplished.  About time.

Normal afternoon, walk, lunch, nap in my recliner with heating pad on my stomach.  Finished afternoon with apple snack.

Left home at 1630.  We met Becky Verker and Phil Hertel at a new restaurant in Woodland Mall called Blackrock.  The place was jammed.  Nancy and I shared a chicken dinner,  Becky and Phil split the salmon.  The portions were huge so 1/2 was plenty.  A very pleasant evening.

At home we watched an episode Endeavour before turning in.  Warm weather continues.