Sunday February 16, 2020

Weekend update for WE 16 Feb 2020

Blog time 1545 sitting in office

Saturday February 15, 2020

Nancy took Ms P out at 0600.  She said it was bitterly cold.  I checked my weather app and it confirmed her report.  Temp in single digits with a negative wind chill.

We drove to Panera this morning.  We are 

Saturday morning regulars and talk to other regular patrons.  This morning I introduced Nancy to a Panera regular who teaches languages at Community College.  He started teaching at OHHS.  He was born in Greece and his last name is Monoyios(sp?).  He is good friends with Joe Polonowski.  Nancy also taught a short time at OHHS and knew Polonowski and she thinks she remember Monoyios.

Nancy started the laundry as soon as we got home.  I decided it was still too cold for a walk so I drove to the Y.  

The Y was jammed I had to drive around to find a parking space.  Most folks were there for youth basketball.

15 minutes on the Stationary Bike and then a mile walk.  Showered before heading home.

Put our corn for deer and then Nancy and I drove to Kohl’s.  Nancy was looking for a small hand held vacuum and I was looking for a tan trench coat.  No trench coat but Nancy did buy the vacuum.

Lunch and then spent time in office reading papers and finishing blogs.  Short nap and then fixed apple snack.

Light snow all afternoon.  A typical February afternoon that brought back memories from my youth.  I remember on cold February Saturday’s my Grandmother Hughes would bake home made bread.  Saturday evening we would have hot home made bread oftentimes with baked beans.

I called my Sister, Helen, if she remembered.  Of course she did.  She also reminded me that Grandmother Scott baked bread on Fridays.  

On these cold February Saturdays of my youth I would go to bed early, jump in my warm bed and turn my radio on.  I would listen to a show called Hawaii Calls.  It was broadcast from the Royal Hawaiian Hotel on Waikiki Beach.  The announcer would say it was 80 degrees with a light breeze.  The water temperature was 72.  I always wanted to go there.

In 1962 while stationed on Midway Island I had the opportunity to take a short break to Hawaii.  I would leave on Monday and come back on Friday.  Fort Derussy was a military hotel located on Waikiki Beach.  Bare bones accommodations but at $5 a night who cares.  I booked 4 nights.  A Navy pilot who rotated between Pearl Harbor and Midway fixed me up nurse.  For dinner we went to the Royal Hawaiian Hotel.  She said it is very expensive.  I told my story of listening to Hawaii Call.  It was a great experience even if it did cost almost a month’s pay.

For dinner tonight Nancy fixed beef pie with peas.  Debbie FaceTimed us this evening.  We asked if she ever had Joe Monoyios for a teacher.  She said yes, freshman French.

Sunday February 16:

Nancy checked the weather when she took out Ms P.  It was warm enough for our walk.  We walked a mile.  A pleasant winter morning.  We did not see a soul.

After dressing for church I made a quick stop at Panera to get a coffee for me and Nancy.  Church today was crowded.

Stopped at Meijer’s on way home for weekly supplies.  Gas was $2.44.

At home before lunch I did some chores.  

Our dryer vent outlet was making noise.  I took off the vent cover and vacuumed it out.  

Assembled the hand held vacuum we bought yesterday.

Put out corn for deer.

Printed some 1009 tax forms.

Took a 30 minute walk.

After lunch took a short nap then our apple snack.

For dinner Nancy fixed her world famous scrambled eggs.  I had mine with spinach pie, pineapple and Irish soda bread.

Watched 60 Minutes, finished reading the GRP before switching to Netflix.  Watched “The Stranger” and then I watched the final episode (season 1) of Occupied.

Friday February 14, 2020

Friday February 14, 2020

Blog time 1115 at Panera

Nancy took Ms P out at 0600.  It was 6 degrees.  The coldest morning of the winter.  Wind chill -2.

Nancy left at 0700 for MVP.  At noon she has book club.  Tonight she is taking me out for a Valentines feast at Shiraz, a Persian restaurant.

February 14, HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!

In grade school our class would always exchange Valentines.  Always wanted the cute girl to write a mushing note.  Never happened!

In 1964 Ltjg Scott and other bachelor officers all got a Valentine from Mom but not from anyone else.

I left home for Panera at 0815.  It was 9 and sunny.  A beautiful winter’s day.

The Y was very crowded this morning.  Were folks trying to burn some calories before going out to Valentines dinner?

Nancy was at Book Club and Kim was still cleaning when I got home at 1230.  I put out corn for deer and then took a 30 minute walk.  It was very cold.  Walking into the wind was unpleasant.

Lunch and then spent some time in office.  Nap and then our apple snack.  

At 1715 Nancy and I headed to Shiraz for dinner.  I had wine and the lamb shank.  Nancy had wine and the Persian chicken.  For dessert we spit a dish of Persian ice cream.  It was all very good.  We gave Shiraz an A.

At home we watched another episode of The Stranger.  I stayed up and watched Occupied.

It was 15 when took Ms P out at 2200.  Low temperature tonight will be in single digits.

Thursday February 13, 2020

Thursday February 13, 2020

Blog time 1100 at Panera

Nancy took Ms P out at 0550 this morning.  She said it was not cold and we had just a trace of snow.  She left at 0700 for her Thursday swim.  

The temperature when I left for the Y was 28.  It is now 1100 and the temp is 20 and snowing.  We are having a typical mid-February winter storm.

Today at the Y I increased my stationary bike time to 15 minutes.  After some mild calisthenics, bike ride, and walk I shaved and showered before heading to Panera.

This and that:

Today is the 13th so I will buy a lottery ticket.

The Fed Chairman warned Congress they have to show some fiscal restraint.  Spending is getting out of hand.  When folks asked my political leanings I always say I am a fiscal conservative but not a Republican.

We are getting mixed signals on the status on the Coronavirus.

On way home from Panera I stopped at D&W and bought lottery tickets and coleslaw.  Before lunch I took a 30 minute walk and put out corn for deer.

Spent time in office checking bank accounts and seeing if our 1099’s were available from several investment firms we use.  Both firms said the forms will be available on the 15th.

I took a short nap in the recliner with a heating pad on my sore muscle.  Fixed our apple snack before heading down stairs.  

Kim cleans tomorrow so I moved items out of the office and bathroom.  It is easier to clean and vacuum if she has an uncluttered area.

For dinner Nancy fixed a pork chop with stuffing and peas.  Very good.  Also had coleslaw and Irish Soda bread.  I love this bread.  It is only available around St. Patrick’s Day.

Tonight we watched an episode of Brokenwood Mysteries.  The show is 90 minutes and I slept through the middle 20 minutes.  Second night this has happened.

It was 19 and clear when took Ms P out at 2200.  Temperature will drop to single digits tonight.

Wednesday February 12, 2020

Wednesday February 12, 2020

Blog time 1020 sitting in Starbucks at Woodland Mall

Breakfast Club Wednesday:  up with alarm at 0515.  Dressed and took Ms P out.  Temps in mid 20s.

Stopped at Panera to get a coffee to take with me on my drive downtown.  It was dark so I had to wear my nighttime driving glasses.  They work great.  

Parked car and walked around the block.  A lot of construction downtown.  Noted many construction workers heading to work.  Starting time must be 0700.  All this construction activity is good for the economy.

Only 25 folks at BC.  Today’s speaker was from Legal Aid.  She gave a very good talk.

This and that:

Bernie Sanders wins New Hampshire with Mayor Pete a close 2nd followed by Senator Klobuchar.

Are Senator Warren and former VP Biden day’s numbered?

Today is President Lincoln’s birthday.  He was born in 1809.  Lincoln saved the nation.  Lincoln was the best.

After BC I drove to Woodland Mall.  I walked for 30 minutes before buying a coffee and bagel at Starbucks.  I need a full length tan trench coat so I plan stopping at Von Maur and Macy’s to see if they have any.

After finishing my coffee and yesterday’s blog I visited several stores.  No luck finding a trench coat.

This afternoon Nancy is working at the Garden’s.  I got home just as she was leaving.  

This afternoon activities included:

Lunch

Laundry

Gathered up trash and took to curb

Put out corn for deer

Short nap

Fixed our apple snack as soon as Nancy got home.

Took 30 minute walk.

Drove to Meijer’s to pick up prescription.  The copay for my nose drops increased from $25 to $37.50.  Also bought bagel chips, Pinconning cheese, and Motrin.

Light dinner followed by cheese/cracker/pill snack.  

Watched news and Jeopardy before switching to Endeavour on Prime.  Not their best show.

We are under a winter storm advisory but no snow when I took Ms P out at 2200. Cold spell starts tomorrow.

Tuesday February 11, 2020

Tuesday February 11, 2020

Blog time 1100 at Panera

Nancy got up with Ms P early this morning, 0545.  She said it was mild, 29, with 17mph wind.  Today is Nancy’s swim day so she left home at 0700.  This afternoon we are making a trip to Costco.

I left at 0800 for the Y.  Light calisthenics and stationary bike before a 0.6 mile walk.  Today I increased my time on the stationary bike to 12 minute.  Ultimate goal is 15 minutes.  My average heart rate according to my Apple Watch app was 120 bpm.  This seems high to me.  Showered before heading to Panera.

Panera was not very busy this morning.  I had a bowl of oatmeal and coffee before writing blog and reading news.

This and that:

Today is the New Hampshire primary.  Will Mayor Pete continue his good showing?  I hope Senator Klobuchar a moderate makes a good showing.  Senator Sanders and Warren are too far left for me.

Is Germany imploding?  Angela Merkel’s hand picked successor suddenly resigned after a provincial election defeat.  

The Korean film Primate wins the academy award.  First time ever for a foreign film.  I watch foreign films on Netflix all the time.  I find them very good.  I think the English subtitles makes you concentrate on the film.

On Feb 3, 1962 young Ensign Scott now stationed on Midway Island wrote his mother a letter.  I must have had too much time on my hands.  I wrote:

The weather on Midway was sunny but windy.  Water temperature was 67.  I did go swimming on New Year’s Day.

For reading I buy the Asian edition of Time and Life at the Navy Exchange (px).  As you would expect, absolutely no social life.  I might go to the Officer’s Club for a drink but that is it.

I have been helping some young enlisted sailors preparing for their Surveyors exam.  Passing this exam means a promotion.  I enjoy teaching.

Of course I bitched about the Senior Officers wanting to build a golf driving range when we need new barracks and recreational facilities for the Sailors.

I noted a lot of grammar mistakes on my letter.

Left Panera at noon as soon as I got home we headed to Costco.  Our shopping list included:  Cheerios, paper towels, toilet paper, eye drops and cheese.  

Emptied car and then took a 30 minute walk.  Walking into a 17 mph wind was uncomfortable.

Put out corn for deer before lunch.  After lunch accomplished some chores, like bringing up our newly glued clothes pole, loading it up with coats and taking the spare pole downstairs.  Exciting chore for us old folks.

I took a nap followed by our apple snack.  Nancy cooked a pot roast complete with potatoes, carrots and onions in the crock pot.  The meat melted in my mouth.  Very good.

Usual after dinner activities.  Tonight we watched NCIS.  Nancy headed to bed and I watched another Norwegian crime show.  Mid 20s when took Ms P out at 2200.

Monday February 10, 2020

Monday February 10, 2020

Blog time 1130 at Panera

Nancy took Ms P out at 0600.  The temperature was in high 20s.  I got up at 0630.

Nancy headed out at 0715 for her class at MVP.  Breakfast and then I drove to the Y.  Reduced calisthenics, stationary bike, and a short walk.  

Arrived at Panera at 1000.  Had a bowl of oatmeal before settling down to write blog and read papers.

This and that:

The Coronavirus dominates the news but the  standard winter flu in the US is widespread.  The Alpena News reported today that the Alpena Schools and Roger City schools are closed because of the flu outbreak.

The impeachment circus is over.  What do the clowns in Washington do now?  Both POTUS and Congress embarrassed themselves.  

News of Brexit and the EU seems to have died down.  Is it a winter slowdown?

I drove to Meijer’s after Panera and bought six bottles of my favorite wine.  It is a red blend called Apothic Red.  You buy six bottles at Meijer’s and you get a discount.

At home I put out corn for deer and then got back in car and ran errands.

Stopped at Macatawa Bank to make a deposit and get money for Kim who cleans this week.

Got my car washed at Mister Car Wash.  Not an original idea the car wash was crowded.

At Harvest Food I bought three high cocoa  chocolate bars (88%).  

Quick lunch and then headed downstairs to the office.  Our Prime TV is acting up.  I went to the Prime TV website and got throughly confused.  Went upstairs and unplugged the cable box and TV.  Waited several minutes and plugged everything back in.  Low and behold Prime TV is working fine.  I should always remember the unplug/plug solution.

Finished the afternoon with a nap.  No apple snack today, I forgot.

Just before having our 1800 dinner, I looked out the back slider.  We had three deer in the back yard.  One was a buck with a full rack of horns.  I thought bucks lost their antlers in early winter.  Google said late February or early March was not uncommon.

After a light dinner we had our snack.  Tonight we watched episode 2 of The Stranger on Netflix.  Nancy liked it.  I stayed up and watched a show on Prime.  It was not noteworthy because I forgot its name.

Took Ms P out at 2200.  It was mild, high 20s.

Sunday February 9, 2020

Weekend Update for WE 02/09/2020

Blog time 1650 Sunday sitting in office.

Saturday February 8, 2020

It was cold this morning, 23 with wind chill of 14.  Too cold so we drove to Panera.  I had my oatmeal breakfast with bagel and coffee.  Nancy had her hazelnut coffee.

It was snowing when we left Panera.  Nancy left immediately to help Kathi Kothe get ready for a sale of purses in Livonia, Mi.  

I drove to Fitzgerald’s in Breton Village.  They were having a sale so I bought another pair of super duper flexible pants.  They were on sale so I saved $18.  

As soon as I got home went on a 50 minute walk.  The walks were snow covered but not icy.  

As soon as I got home I put out corn for deer.  They somehow can find the snow covered corn.

Spent some time reading the papers before lunch.  Nancy was watching the MSU/UM basketball game.  She told me not to jinx UM so I did not watch.  During lunch she told me UM won.   Good.

I aggravated my stomach muscle doing some stretches last night.  I took a nap in the recliner with the heating pad on my sore spot.  It works.  Later I fixed our apple snack.

Early dinner tonight.  Nancy fixed bean soup.  It was good.  

Saturday night so we just watched the ABC news before switching to Apple TV.  Tonight we watched Midsomer Murders.  We are on season 13 or 14.  I don’t think many episodes are left.  Overall a good show.

Debbie FaceTimed us this evening.  We got caught up.  

The snow had stopped when I took Ms P out at 2200.  I think we got about 4 inches today.  The weather folks keep talking about the super snow moon.  I checked but could not see it.

Sunday February 9, 2020.

Up at 0630.  The temp was in mid 20s and the snow had stopped so we went on a mile walk.  The only thing we saw on the walk was a rabbit.

Quick breakfast and then headed to Panera to get a coffee to take to Church.  It was snowing hard when we headed to Trinity Lutheran.  Pastor Bob gave a good Homily.  In my youth the Homily was called a Sermon.  

We stopped at Meijer’s on our way home.  Gas was $2.27.  

At home I got in the Taurus and got it filled up.  Now both cars have a full tank.  Full tanks are good in cold weather.  Prevents condensation.

It was snowing when I put out corn for deer.  Our upstairs Hall Clothes Tree had several pegs fall off.  I glued the loose pegs and two legs with the super duper glue I bought at ACE.  Hope it works.

Read several sections of the paper before lunch.  Took a short nap followed by apple snack.  After, we all headed down to the office.  Turned on the electric heater.  Nancy paid bills and I started the Weekend blog.

Nancy is fixing her world famous scrambled eggs for dinner tonight.  Also sausage, baguette and spinach pie.  

On this day February 9, 1938 in Ossineke, Mi.  On this day the temperature was a warm 40.  It was too warm to chip lake ice.  In 1938 folks took saws and cut out large section of lake ice.  The blocks of ice were transported to a root cellar to keep canned fruits and vegetables cold.  Sawdust was packed around the ice blocks to retard melting.  Great Grandfather Sanborn said a cold front was moving in.

The deer arrived at 1800 and seemed to find the corn below the corn.  I also looked out at midnight and saw two more deer looking for the corn.  I think the critters are hungry. 

After dinner I fixed our nightly snack.  We started watching 60 Minutes but they were all reruns.  We wanted to watch Endeavour on Prime tonight but our Prime is acting up.  Instead we watched Ms Fisher’s Modern Murder Mysteries on Acorn.  We both liked it.

Nancy headed to bed and I stayed up and watched a new show on Netflix “The Stranger”.  The show was produced by Harlan Coben.  I thought it was very good.  I think Nancy would like it so I will try and convince her to watch it with me.  

The snow had stopped when I went out with Ms P at 2200.  Temp in mid 20s.