Saturday June 6, 2020

Saturday June 6, 2020

Blog time 1530 sitting in office.

Today is the anniversary of D Day.  On this date in 1944 the Allied forces stormed the Beaches at Normandy.  It was the start of the end for Hitler’s regime.  In April 1945 the Germans surrendered.

I knew several men who were involved in the invasion.  They were reluctant to discuss their participation.

The D Day landing was not mentioned in today’s WSJ, Apple News or the UK’s The Telegraph.  It might be because only 15% of the population was alive in 1944.     

I got up at 0700.  Nancy was already up and ready for her walk.  It was sunny and warm.

Breakfast and then I headed out on a 10.5 mile ride.  Once again I took the single speed.  Today for the first time in weeks I saw a flock of wild turkeys.

Shaved and showered after the ride.  I drove to Panera and bought coffee and a bagel.  Read the Alpena News and my emails before heading home.

Every Saturday in the Alpena News, Doug Pugh writes a column of Alpena’s past.  Today’s article was significant because he wrote of a 1947 basketball game between some local players and the Harlem Globetrotters.  Tommy Collins and I went to the game with our Dads.  Great entertainment.

In 1947 Alpena businesses would not serve Blacks in local restaurants or hotels.  The players were hungry and needed gas for their bus.   A local told them of a small grocery/gas station in the small village of Hillman.  Hillman was about 30 miles west of Alpena.  The store was not open 24 hours but they left a light on and if you rang the bell a family member would help them.  Around 2200 the bell was rung and the 15 year old daughter of the owner came to the door in her bathrobe.  She gassed up the bus and provided the players with peanut butter, bread, pop and cookies.  She took their money and thanked them.  They returned the thank you.  Not a great moment for Alpena but a shining moment for the store owner’s family in Hillman.

Spent the afternoon paying bills and reading.  Walked to the mail box to post the bills.  Found time for a nap.

Nancy’s dental problems continued this afternoon.  She again lost a crown.  Same crown as last week.

Obviously Nancy could not enjoy her apple snack.  However, I did.

Jeff and Jackie Hartman had been having some major health problems lately.  Neighbors and friends were providing meals for them.  Saturday was Nancy’s turn.  

Nancy knew Jackie because of their joint volunteer work at the Gardens.  We had them over for dinner several years back and I found out that Jeff had been recruited out of Midland High School to play football at the University of Wyoming.  The coach at Wyoming was my high school coach.  We immediately hit it off.  Also one of their daughters was a high school classmate of Debbies.

Sadly we learned this morning that Jeff had passed last night.  At 1700 we delivered the meal to the Hartman family.  Rest In Peace, Jeff.

Tonight for dinner I finished the pinwheel sandwiches from Costco.  I had mine with coleslaw.

Tonight we watched a Netflix movie, “The Last Thing He Wanted”.  Good cast but terrible movie.

Debbie and Missy FaceTimed this evening.  We gave a positive report.

Nice weather continues tomorrow.

Friday June 5, 2020

Friday June 5, 2020

Blog time 1920 sitting in living room

Another hot sunny day in GR.  Temperature reached 82.

Up at 0630, Nancy was already getting ready for her 3.5 mile walk.  I did all my calisthenics this morning before breakfast.  After breakfast I dressed lightly and hopped on my single speed and took a 10.5 mile.

Every day we have more and more folks walking and biking on the path.  My biggest concern is getting caught in a dog leash.  Some small folks have trouble keeping their big dogs in check.

At home I showered before driving to Panera for my morning coffee.  Spent some time in parking lot reading email and the Alpena News.  Next Monday I will be able to sit inside Panera.  Slowly the restrictions are coming down.

Had lunch as soon as I got home from Panera.  I sat in living room to do some more reading but fell asleep.  Nancy said it was nap time.  I agreed.

This afternoon Nancy’s dental crown fell out.  The same crown that fell out earlier this week.  She will get it reattached on Monday.

No apple snack for Nancy so I ate a whole apple.  Finished the afternoon with a short walk.

Dinner tonight was the pin wheel sandwich’s we purchase earlier at Costco.  Tonight we watched the news.  I especially liked the Brooks and Shield debate on PBS.  Always good to hear a civil discussion.

We watched an episode of Midsomer Murders.  We have to ran out of episodes soon.  This show is always our fall back show when we cannot agree.

Debbie and Missy called tonight.  We gave a positive report.  This time of year CA weather is cooler than GR.  

It was 75 when took Ms P out at 2200.  Tomorrow will be another nice sunny day. 

Thursday June 4, 2020

Thursday June 4, 2020

Blog time 1740 sitting in office

We all got up at 0630 this morning.  This morning we are going to take advantage of Costco’s and Meijer’s senior shopping time.  

I do several quick exercises before breakfast.  Our first stop was Costco at 0700.  Not a soul in sight.  We miscalculated.  Senior hour does not start until 0800 so we make a quick trip to Meijer’s.

Today along with everyone else we wore our mask.  I am pleasantly surprised that everyone at both Meijer’s and Costco wore a mask.  

We purchased several items but were disappointed that Meijer’s was out of Disinfecting Wipes.  We dropped the items off at home before heading back to Costco.  

We had to wait in line for several minutes before the store opened.   It was nice to see that when the doors were opened every one was very orderly.

We had several big items that we had to purchase.  Trash bags, waste basket liners and paper towels.  Just these three items almost filled the basket.  

Like Meijer’s Costco was also out of Disinfecting Wipes.  We did get several months supply of peanut butter, sandwich thin bread and prunes.  Nancy also purchased some pinwheel sandwiches for dinner tonight.  We have friends who are having serious health problems so we purchased a prepackaged dinner that we will take to them on Friday.

At home Nancy dressed for a walk.  The temperature was near 80 so she dressed appropriately.

I finished my calisthenics before heading out on a 10.5 mile bike ride.  Today I took the 50+ year old single speed.  This bike is a joy to ride.

Shaved and showered as soon as I got home.  Lunch 

This and that:

I talked to old employee Eric Rickert this morning on damages to the Curtis Road Bridge in Midland County.  As I have mentioned in recent blogs SCECO designed this bridge in the mid 90s.  Eric is involved in getting the bridge back in service.  Most work will involve fixing the washed out road leading to the bridge.  Glad Eric keeps me in the loop.

GR has been experiencing some civil unrest.  Despite the curfew the demonstrators still did their thing.  Most of the destruction has been done by unemployed young white folks both male and female.

In the big cities Crime gangs have been taking advantage of the unrest to rob and loot.  The WSJ had several articles of gangs driving up to high end stores in expensive cars and using power tools to break in and loot the stores.

What will happen in Hong Kong?  It was a major power grab by China.  They thought that most of the world was distracted by the Coronavirus.  

The UK is thinking of offering asylum to Hong Kong residents.  What will the USA response be?

The opinions of folks on the USA riots are generational.  Our kids are generally supportive.  Us old folks think otherwise.

The President has shown terrible leadership in dealing with the demonstrations.  He is a divider and makes no effort to unite.

I did find time this afternoon for a nap.  Fixed our apple snack after the nap.

For dinner tonight we had some of the pinwheels sandwiches we bought this morning at Costco.  Very good. 

We talked to both girls, Debbie and Missy, this evening.  We gave a positive report.

Tonight we watched Murder City on Prime.  We like this show.  Temperature in mid 70s when took Ms P out at 2200.  Nice weather will continue.  Great news!

Wednesday June 3, 2020

Wednesday June 3, 2020

Blog time 1000 sitting in waiting room Fox Ford

Today is my easy Wednesday and also Breakfast Club Wednesday.  Today’s meeting will be on Zoom.

Last night we had a major electrical storm roll through.  The thunder and lightning was intense as was the rain.  Both Ms P and Nancy slept through the storm.

The alarm goes off at 0600.  I head downstairs and do some calisthenics at 50% followed by a quick breakfast.  

At 0800 I fire up the iPad and connect to the BC Zoom meeting.  We had 16 members in attendance.  Today’s speaker was the Doctor in charge of the Kent County Health Department.  He gave an excellent talk on the Coronavirus.  My major take away.  Wear your mask, maintain 6 foot separation and wash your hands.  

After the meeting I decide to drive to Fox Ford and see if I can get my oil changed.  Stopped at Panera first to get a coffee to take with me.

I have tried twice recently to get the oil changed with no success.  According to their sticker I am two months overdue.  Today they were fully staffed and were able to accommodate me.  

Grabbed my IPad and found a lone table.  Did all my morning reading and finished yesterday’s blog.  First time in ages that I finished reading the WSJ before noon.

Got home about noon.  Changed clothes and headed out on a 9 mile bike ride.  It was warm and sunny.  No critters spotted on the ride.

Showered and had a quick lunch.  Spent time trying to fix the screen door on the downstairs slider.  No luck.  I am a total klutz when it comes to making repairs.  

It being Wednesday I did a load of laundry and took out trash.  Finished the afternoon with a nap.

We had a light dinner.  After dinner fixed Nancy her cheese/cracker/pill snack.  I had an oatmeal cookie.

After the news we watched an episode of Grantchester on Prime.  Nancy headed to bed and I stayed up and watched an episode of Bordertown.  I slept through the last ten minutes.  

Debbie and Missy called tonight to see how we were doing.  We gave a positive report although we are getting cabin fever.

It was in mid 70s when took Ms P out at 2200.  Another nice day predicted for tomorrow.

Tuesday June 2, 2020

Tuesday June 2, 2020

Blog time 1900 sitting in living room

I was up at 0540 and took Ms P out.  After she completed her bidness I headed back to bed.

Nancy headed out early for her 3.25 mile walk.  It was warm, low 60s, so Nancy dressed accordingly.

I did my calisthenics before breakfast.  I also dressed for the warm weather.  My bike ride this morning was 10.6 miles.

Shaved and showered before heading to Panera for coffee and a bagel.  Sat in parking lot and read my emails.

At home I settled in my office to finish yesterday’s blog and start my reading.  The rioting and Coronavirus dominates the news.  The media is having a feeding frenzy.  This morning I also wrote my monthly note to the Grandkids.

Jennifer Dougherty sent me some photos of the Curtis Road bridge.  This bridge was designed by SCECO in the 90s and was damaged by the recent dam failure in Midland County.  

Eric Rickert another ex employee asked Jennifer to forward the photos to me.  I emailed Eric with a proposed repair option.    

Lunch and then I ran some errands.

Stopped at Tailor shop and picked up pants.

Picked up shirts from laundry.

At D&W I mailed the Grandkids note.

Found time this afternoon for a nap followed by our apple snack.  Finished the afternoon with a mile walk.

The temperature reached the mid 80s this afternoon.  I turned on the AC to lower the inside temperature.  Turned it off just before bed.

Tonight we finished the lamb shank from Saturday.   Also had a salad and a blueberry scone.

Watched the news and Jeopardy before switching to Apple TV.  We have been having problems with our Prime TV.  I fixed it by unplugging everything and plugging back in.  It worked.  Simple sometimes is good.

Tonight we watched Murder City.  I like this show.  It was warm and muggy when took Ms P out at 2200.  Heavy rain predicted for later tonight.

Debbie and Missy like clockwork called tonight.  We gave a positive report.

Monday June 1, 2020

Monday June 1, 2020

Today is the first day of Summer according to the Meteorologists.  About time!

I was up at 0630.  Nancy had already taken Ms P out.  It was sunny but a cold 45. 

This morning Nancy has a 0845 appointment with her heart doctor.  She needs their clearance before her foot surgery.

I did my calisthenics before breakfast.  After breakfast I put on warm biking clothes and headed out on a 10.5 mile ride.  It was 45 degrees when I started out and 58 when I finished the ride 80 minutes later.  Of course I got overheated.

Nancy was not home so I assumed she was on her walk.  I hope this morning she was able to get our dentist to reattach a dental crown that fell off this weekend.  

Showered, dressed and drove to Panera.  Bought coffee, bagel and read my email before heading home.  Nancy had finished her walk and she had good news.  The Dentist had fixed her tooth.

Spent some time in office finishing yesterday’s blog and reading today’s papers.  I had lunch at 1300.  

After lunch drove to Fox Ford to see if I could get an oil change.  No luck.  All the workers were standing in a corner talking and not taking care of customers.  No the way to win the heart and mind of someone looking to purchase a car.

At home took a mile walk to cool off.  Took a short nap.

Fixed our apple snack before dinner.  Light dinner of Cheerios and toast.  

Tonight’s news was all about civil unrest in the USA.  I don’t know what the cure is for our problems but following Christian teaching is a good start.

This evening we watched the final episode of a Welch detective show.  Nancy did not like the show because some of the dialogue was in Welch with subtitles.  I gave it a B.

Big warm up tomorrow.  Temps in mid 80s predicted.

Debbie and Missy FaceTimed us this evening.  Everything is going ok.

Sunday May 31, 2020

Sunday May 31, 2020

Blog time 1730 sitting in living room

Up at 0630 this morning.  It looks like another beautiful sunny day.  It is cold, 45.  I had to turn the heat on to take the chill out of the house.

Nancy headed out on her morning walk.  I dressed and had my oatmeal, banana, toast breakfast.  After breakfast I headed to Panera to get two coffees.

Nancy walked 2.5 miles this morning.  Showered and then sat down to read the GRP and drink her hazelnut coffee.

At 0915 I fired up the iPad and watched Trinity Lutheran’s streaming service on YouTube.  This is their eleventh Sunday of streaming.  Today is Pentecost Sunday.

After breakfast I put on my bike riding clothes and took a gentle 9.6 mile ride.  Showered and then read the GRP from cover to cover.  It took 15 minutes.

This and that:

Our President has shown no leadership whatsoever in dealing with both the Coronavirus and the Minneapolis police brutality issue and subsequent rioting.

We had some rioting in GR last night.  Windows were broken at the GR Public Museum.  A small shop that sells olives on Monroe Center was vandalized and looted.  

Rioting is not the way to solve problems.

On a happier note I saw two deer in our back year, early this morning feasting on wild strawberries.

Nancy and I have noted how big the Robins are this year.  A good crop of worms?

Lunch today was the same as everyday.  Yogurt with fiber 1 cereal, cheese, hard boiled egg and three squares of chocolate.

In keeping with a years olds tradition I took a Sunday afternoon nap.  Fixed an apple snack before taking a mile walk.

Tonight Nancy fixed her world famous scrambled eggs with sausage and an English muffin.  While enjoying our evening snack we watched 60 Minutes.  I was surprised that the show was a rerun.  No reporting on the rioting.

Tonight we watched the final two episodes of Thorne.  We gave the show a C+.

Both Debbie and Missy FaceTimed us this evening.  Everything is ok in GR and CA.

Took Ms P out at 2200.  It was starting to get cold.  Low tonight in mid 40s.