Monday May 25, 2020

Memorial Day 2020

Monday May 25, 2020

Blog time 1730 sitting in office

It is sad that we will have no Memorial Day Parades this year.  However, I hope most folks remember the significance of this day.  On my bike ride this morning I did see a lot of homes displaying flags.

Until 1968 Memorial Day was celebrated on May 30.  All schools and businesses were closed that one day.

I was a Boy Scout in pre high school years.  Our troop alway marched in the Memorial Day Parade.  The Parade was a big deal.  The Army National Guard, many Veteran’s Groups, Alpena City Band,  Alpena High School and Catholic Central bands along with Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops marched.  As I recall we were never rained out.  I remember several parades where the temp was in the 70s.

Memorial Day was also an important date for me.  On this day my Mother said I no longer had to wear long underwear.  Life was simple in 1950.  

It was warm and sunny this morning.  Nancy headed out for her 3 mile walk.  I did some mild calisthenics before breakfast.  After breakfast on got on my single speed and took an 8.5 mile ride.  The temperature was in low 80s when I finished.

After a shower I drove to Meijer’s and filled up the Escape.  Gas was $2 per gallon.  Also stopped at Panera for coffee.

This morning Nancy and I took another drive visiting small towns in the area.  Today we visited Sand Lake and Cedar Springs.  We get a lot of pleasure visiting these towns.  All our small town drives take about 2 hours.  We get tired of sitting after 2 hours.

Lunch and then sat in living room reading.  I dozed off several times before Nancy told me to take a nap.  

I took a short nap.  After fixed our apple snack.  Finished the afternoon with a short walk in our back yard.  The ponds and open fields all looked good.

We had a light dinner.  For dessert we had a chocolate bundt cake.  It was great.

We watched the news and Jeopardy before switching to Apple TV.  Tonight we watched an episode of Grantchester.  

The 80 degree temps and high humidity has been bothering Ms P.  Tomorrow we might have to turn the AC on.

Debbie and Missy called today.  We explained our Memorial Day activities.  Debbie is experiencing 90 degree heat.  She has her AC on.  The temperature in LA is much cooler than San Jose.  I told them we really are enjoying 80 degree heat.

Sunday May 24, 2020

Sunday May 24, 2020

Blog time 1730 sitting in living room

Woke up at 0700 to sun and temperature in mid 60s.  Nancy headed out first thing for her morning walk.  I dressed and had a relaxed breakfast of oatmeal, banana, sandwich thin with peanut butter.

After breakfast I drove to Panera to get a coffee for Nancy and me.  Panera was not busy.  Because I am a steady customer I was not charged.  Sat in living room drinking coffee and reading yesterday’s WSJ.

Nancy said she was overdressed for her walk.  She showered and then both of us sat on the living room couch and watched the 0915 service from Trinity Lutheran.   Pastor’s Bob, Dan and Karen were in a good mood today.  I think they are trying to lift the spirits of their parishioners.

At 1130 I pumped up the tires on my single speed Nishiki steel bike.  I bought the bike in the 70s but it is still in good shape.  Despite having only 1 speed it moves along because of the high pressure tires.  100 psi vs 60psi for my other two bikes.  Of course I try to avoid steep hills.

This morning the route I selected was my normal 10.5 mile weekday route, no big hills.  I encountered a lot of families out for a nice Sunday walk.  A very pleasant ride.

Today for the first time this year I wore only a single outer layer.  I have looked forward to this day all winter.

Got home at 1245, showered and then had a quick lunch.  After lunch I sat down to read the GRP but kept falling asleep.  Nancy told me to take a nap.   I complied.

Fixed our apple snack and then took a short walk.  For dinner Nancy fixed her world famous poached eggs.  I had mine on an English muffin.  

No 60 Minutes so we retired to the den.  We tried to watched Endeavour on Prime but were told it is now available on Brit Box.  Instead watched an episode of Midsomer Murders on Acorn.

Debbie and Missy FaceTimed us this evening.  We told them we are enjoying the Holiday and staying safe.

Saturday May 23, 2020

Saturday May 23, 2020

Blog time 1500 sitting in office

Nancy and Ms P went out at 0600.  I slept in until 0700.  The sun streaming through the slider woke me.  Temperature was 60.

First thing, Nancy headed out for her 3.5 mile walk.  I put on my bike clothes and had a quick breakfast before heading out on my Saturday bike ride.

Today I selected for the first time this year my Buttrick Ave ride.  I thought it was 8 miles.  Boy was I wrong it was 11 miles.  I encountered a lot of walkers and bikers on today’s ride.

I noted as I drove by the Cascade Cemetery that a lot of folks were placing flowers at relative’s grave sites.  I made a reminder to call my sister to see if we have someone cleaning up our family site in Alpena.

At home I shaved and showered.  Drove to Panera for a baguette and coffee.  Read my email and the Alpena News while sitting in Panera’s lot.

Today is the first day that NE Mi enjoys the lifting of many restrictions.  Restaurants and bars are open with many rules.  Photos in the Alpena News indicated that everyone was enjoying themselves.

Blast from past:

On the Saturday before Memorial Day in 1966 Nancy, Debbie and I were living in Redwood City, CA.  We had a third floor apartment at 875 Woodside Road.  I worked for a firm called Charles McCandless and Co in Palo Alto.  We had been working six days a week for the past three months.  I was looking forward to Saturday because I could finally sleep in.  About 0700 I thought the alarm had gone off.  I shouted at Nancy to turn the damn alarm off.  Nancy checked and found it was not our alarm but the Complex’s fire alarm.  

Nancy grabbed Debbie and headed out.  I delayed a fast departure because I could not find my cigarettes.

When we gathered in the Courtyard with the other tenants we noted that some neighbors were coming from different apartments.  Nancy and I were the only tenants with a child.  About 90% of tenants were single.  You can figure it out.

I tell several neighbors I was glad we had a renter’s policy.  Everyone was surprised that such a policy was available.  Our apartment was not damaged.

   

The temperature was 75 when I got home from Panera.  I opened the downstairs slider to get some fresh air.  Also wanted to let the outside air warm my office.  No electric heater today.

Instead of reading I decided to sweep the lower level deck.  A lot of garbage, leaves and other debris accumulated over the winter.  I filled a garbage bag with the sweeping.

Nancy was also working outside.  Getting the courtyard cleaned up. She also planted flowers.

Lunch and then I spent time reading.  Very short nap followed by apple snack.  Finished the afternoon with a short walk.

For dinner Nancy for first time this year fixed corn on the cob.  A sure sign summer is here.  Also finished the last slice of pizza from last night.

For dessert we drove to Culver’s.  Nancy got a cashew nut and caramel sundae, small.  I got a vanilla frozen custard, medium.  Great way to start the holiday weekend.

Tonight we switched immediately to Apple TV.  We watched an episode of Thorne and then Murder City.  We were disappointed and gave both shows a C.

It was in mid 60s when took Ms P out at 2200.  Tomorrow will be sunny with temps reaching the low 80s.  Hooray!

We talked to both Debbie and Missy tonight.  We gave a positive report.  Looking forward to Holiday weekend.

Friday May 22, 2020

Friday May 22, 2020

Blog time 1300 sitting in office

It is a sure sign Ms P is getting old, she slept in until 0630.  Nancy had to wake her.  I got up at 0645.

The temperature this morning was 60 with a high predicted near 70.  It was overcast with a light mist.

Nancy headed out first.   She took a 3.5 mile walk.  I did my calisthenics downstairs.  After the calisthenics I put on my biking clothes.  Breakfast and then I headed out on a 10.5 mile bike ride.  Noted very light vehicular traffic.  Why?  Intermittent mist on the ride.

Showered and dressed.  Drove to Panera for coffee and a baguette.  At Panera I parked in their lot to use their internet.  Checked my email and found I had received an email from Eric Rickert and Jennifer Dougherty regarding the flooding in Midland County especially as it relates to the Curtis Road Bridge.  They gave me an updated report.  I really appreciate their efforts to keep me informed.

This and that:

States are relaxing Coronavirus rules in certain areas.  In Mi, the northern counties are allowed to open restaurants under strict rules.

It looks like Hong Kong is losing some of its freedom.  This is a shame.

Closed National Parks have seen a large influx of animals including bears, mountain lions and antelope.  They will disappear as soon as folks are allowed in.

UC schools have dropped the ACT and SAT tests.  Bad idea especially with all the grade inflation.  

Finished yesterday’s blog and continued reading the news.     We get a paper copy of the GRP on Thursday and Sunday.  The GRP does a terrible job covering local news.  I think the Alpena News does a better job keeping their subscribers informed of local events.  Next week I will start subscribing to the Detroit News to get more state news.

Lunch and then back to office for more reading.  Nancy left at 1415 for her Doctor’s appointment.  She is having a pre-surgery checkup.  Blood tests, EKG etc.  She did not get home until 1630.

I took a short nap followed by a mile walk.  No apple snack today.  

For dinner I ordered a pineapple/ham pizza from JT’s.  JT’s was not crowded when I picked up the pizza.  JT’s staff were all wearing masks and following all health guidelines.  I was impressed.  The pizza was very good.

We watched the NBC News but at 1900 instead of switching to the PBS News we decided instead to watch a movie.

The movie we selected was the latest “Mission Impossible” starring Tom Cruise.  It was a great movie for Friday night.

It was warm, 60, when took Ms P out at 2200.  Temperature tomorrow will be in high 70s.  

Debbie and Missy checked in tonight.  I talked to Missy and Nancy to Debbie.  We gave them both a positive report.

Thursday May 21, 2020

Thursday May 21, 2020

Blog time 1330 sitting in office

Up at 0630, it was sunny with temp in high 50s.  Nancy headed out first thing to Senior’s time at Walmart.  She said it was not crowded.

I started with my calisthenics downstairs.  Breakfast and then headed out on a 10.5 mile bike ride.  Great day for a ride.  Temp in mid 60s.

Nancy headed out for her 3.2 mile walk.  She also had a shorter walk in the afternoon.

After the ride shaved and showered.  I then headed out on some errands.  First stop was shirt laundry to drop off several shirts.  

At Meijer’s I picked up a prescription.  Also bought six bottles of wine, sugar free oatmeal cookies, banana and a suet block for the birds.  

Final stop was Panera.  Bought a coffee and a bagel.

At home spent time in office checking email, and reading the news both local, Alpena, and national, Apple News and WSJ.

Today I spent considerable time checking on the flooding in Midland County.  As I mentioned earlier Scott Civil Engineering Co had designed a bridge on Curtis Road over the Tittabawassee River.  The bridge is less than a mile downstream from the failed Edenville Dam.  Flood waters overtopped the bridge.  The bridge looks intact but the west road approach washed away.  I was able to find many photos of the bridge and surrounding area.

The Sanford Dam downstream from the Edenville Dam did not fail but water over topped the dam creating flooding near the City of Midland which is further downstream

We also designed another bridge over the Tittabawassee near Midland.  This bridge was not over topped but the road approach washed away.

Late lunch and then I took a short nap.  No apple snack or walk today.

This evening Nancy fixed spaghetti with a great meat sauce.  Also had a salad and croissant.  

Watched the news and Jeopardy before switching to Apple TV.  Tonight we watched episode 2 of Murder City on Prime.  We gave it a B.

It was 60 when took Ms P out at 2200.  Yes folks 60.  It is great.

Debbie and Missy FaceTimed us today.  We reported everything was OK.

Wednesday May 20, 2020

Wednesday May 20, 2020

Blog time 1000 sitting in office

The alarm goes off at 0600.  I grabbed Ms P and took her out.  Sunrise today at 0610 so the sun was just coming out.  Looks like a great day.

Wednesday my easy day so I started with some light calisthenics.  Breakfast and then headed downstairs to watch Breakfast Club on Zoom.  Nancy headed out for her morning 3 mile walk.

I fired up my iPad and checked the link to the Breakfast Club meeting.  No luck, I got another meeting.  I tried several more times but no luck.  Not a good start to the day.

I started checking on the flooding in Midland County.  Not much news because the officials probably were too busy to update the online info.  Will check later.

Jennifer called me and said that she had just talked to Eric Rickert, another ex employee,  who today was in Midland.  He said both the Curtis Road Bridge and Meridan Road Bridge had survived the flooding but the earthen road approaches at each bridge had washed away.  This is good news because the loss of the roadway provide a provides a great route for the flood waters.  It is easier to fix the earthen road than a concrete bridge.

The Midland flooding dominates the news in Michigan.  Governor Whitmer was in Midland looking at the damage.  The Governor must feel snake bit with both Coronavirus and flooding crisis.  She can’t get a break.  I happen to think she is doing a good job.

At 1100 I got on my bike and took a nice easy 8.8 mile bike ride.  It was warm enough for me to wear my knickers.  Every day I see more and more walkers and bikers.  The warmer weather sure helps.

At home showered before a quick lunch.

Afternoon activities included:

A nap

Apple snack

Mile walk

This afternoon Missy and AJ FaceTimed us.  They had just finished being tested for the Coronavirus.  The testing is required for all residents of LA.  I think this is a very good idea.  

Missy is still making and selling face masks and other PPE.  AJ modeled a face mask with USA flags.  Very colorful.

Light dinner followed by the news and Jeopardy.  Tonight we watched another episode of Midsomer Murders.  I think we are on season 14.

Nice and mild when took Ms P out at 2200.  Great weather forecast for tomorrow.

Debbie FaceTimed us this evening.  We gave her a positive report.

   

Tuesday May 19, 2020

Tuesday May 19, 2020

Blog time 1345 sitting in office

I slept in until 0700.  Nancy had already taken Ms P out and was getting ready for her 3 mile walk.  The weather was cool, 56, and windy 16 mph. The good news the rain is over.

I headed downstairs and completed my calisthenics.  Breakfast and then got ready for my bike ride.  I put on my knickers but when I went outside I realized it was too cold.  Went back downstairs and put on long pants.

This morning I took my 10.5 mile route.  With all the rain we have had I noted mud puddles everywhere.  Every depression was filled with water. Shaved and showered as soon as I got home.  

Nancy wanted to get some items from the Dollar Tree.  I said would drive her but first had to get coffee at Panera.  

While Nancy was shopping.  I sat in the car listening to 50s music, drinking coffee and enjoying the heated seats.  I get chilled riding my bike so it I enjoy the heated seats.  

Nancy’s sweet tooth is raging so we stopped at Sugar Momma to get her a lemon bar.  She bought me an oatmeal raisin cookie.

As soon as we got home I headed to the office.  Turned the electric heater on and read the news and my emails.  Finished yesterday’s blog.

Today I had a late lunch, 1330.  I was still chilled so I turned my electric blanket on high and took a nap.

Apple snack before dinner.  Tonight I had clam chowder, a biscuit and coleslaw.  Very tasty. Took a short walk.

We had our after dinner snacks and watched the news and Jeopardy.  We started watching NCIS before realizing it was a rerun.  

Turned on the Apple TV and started watching Agatha Raisin on Acorn.  Halfway through the show I got a message from Jennifer Dougherty.  Jennifer said that she had heard that two dams on the Tittabawassee River in Midland County had failed.  

The Edenville Dam immediately upstream from the Curtis Road Bridge was the first to fail.  We had designed the Curtis Road Bridge.

The Sanford Dam immediately upstream from the Meridan Road Bridge.  We had also designed the Meridan Road Bridge.  

We checked various Midland County Agencies Facebook page and websites.  We found out that 10,000 folks had been evacuated.  M30 and other roads were closed due to flooding.  The status of the Curtis and Meridan Road bridges was not noted. 

The City of Midland would likely have their sewage plant flooded.  Major flooding in downtown Midland was foreseen.  The City Manager of Midland said the storm event that caused the dam failures was a once in 500 year event.

After exhausting all possible news source we called it a night.  I will call her tomorrow afternoon to compare notes.

April and May have sure been unusual months unlike any I have seen in my 82 years.  However, as they say in the kidney stone business “this too shall pass”.

Debbie FaceTimed us early tonight.  We gave a positive report.

It was mild, mid 50s, when took Ms P out at 2230.  Sun and temps near 70 for tomorrow.  About time!