September 7, 2020

Monday September 7, 2020

Blog time 1630 sitting in office

HAPPY LABOR DAY, 2020;  the end of summer and the start of school and the fall season.  Put away the seersucker shirts and jackets and break out the flannels.

I cannot recall any thing special we did on Labor Day during my youth.  I think we just rested and got ready for school tomorrow.

This morning was sunny and pleasant, 72.  We walked to Panera for breakfast.  Sat outside and enjoyed our coffee. I had oatmeal and a croissant to go with my coffee.

At home I took a relaxing 8 mile bike ride.  At noon Nancy and I drove to Meijer Gardens.  We spent an hour walking around.  This morning we walked the Garden’s boardwalk through their wetland area.  We saw a lot of waterfowl and turtles.  Lots and lots of turtles.  I keep forgetting was a great place the Gardens is to visit.  The place was jammed with families enjoying the beautiful day.

At home I had a quick lunch. Spent time checking email and news before finishing yesterday’s blog.

At 1700 I took a 3/4 mile walk.  Just before dinner I looked out the rear slider and saw three Sand Hill Cranes in the backyard.  Beautiful birds.

For dinner tonight Nancy fixed her world famous poached eggs.  I had mine on toast.

We watched some news tonight.  Not much news on a holiday.

Switched to Acorn and finished watching season 1 of London Kills.  Nancy headed to bed and I watched another episode of Deadwind.  

It was windy and turning cold when I checked outside at 2200.  Rain most of night and the temp will drop to 55.

Received FaceTime messages from both Debbie and Missy.  The heat continues in CA.

September 6, 2020

 Sunday September 6, 2020

Blog time 1600 Monday sitting in office.  Yes I am behind

We were both up at 0700.  Cloudy and cool morning.

This being a holiday weekend we decided to forego church today.  We drove to Bob Evans for a big breakfast.  

After breakfast we drove to South Haven.  Been a long time since we have been in South Haven.  The city is like a bigger Saugatuck.  We drove down to the beach area.  It was cool and windy so the beach was nearly empty.  We parked and walked around downtown.  The downtown was very crowded.  Noted a lot of out of state plates.

We got home about 1230.  Had a quick lunch and spent some time reading the GRP and news on my iPad.  

This afternoon I took a long nap.  At 1700 took a 2 mile walk.

Nancy fixed tomato soup for dinner.  I had mine with toast and peanut butter.  Good news I can now eat PB.

We watched several stories on 60 Minutes before switching to Acorn.  Tonight we watched a grim cop shoe called London Kills.

Busy night for Nancy; she got calls from Debbie, Missy and her friend Karen.  She and Karen set a lunch date.  Debbie and Missy are still trying to keep cool with CA temps near 100.

September 5, 2020

 Saturday September 5, 2020

Blog time 1645 sitting in office

Slept in until 0700.  Dressed and started our Saturday walk to Panera.  We got 0.6 miles into the walk when we realized we forgot our masks.  Walked back home got the masks and drove the Fusion back to Panera.

After Panera we drove to Crystal Spring’s Golf Course.  Nancy is meeting friends for lunch there next Wednesday and she wanted to make a dry run.

At home Nancy started the laundry.  I put on my bike clothes and at 1230 headed out on a 8.65 mile ride.  The trails were busy.

At home I shaved head and face before showering.  Dressed and had a light lunch.  

After lunch made a quick trip to Meijer’s to replenish my pudding and yogurt supplies.  This soft food diet limits my food selection but yogurt and pudding, vanilla and chocolate are filling the void.

Spent the rest of afternoon reading news and checking emails.  It is Labor Day weekend so I don’t want to ruin anyone’s weekend by commenting on news.

This evening we had an early dinner at Cascade Road house.  We sat outside and enjoyed a really good meal.  I had the lasagna and Nancy had a chicken sandwich.  We gave Cascade Roadhouse an A.

After dinner took a short walk. Tonight we watched a movie on Prime.  It was call RED and we really enjoyed it.  

Talked with both Debbie and Missy.  They are surviving the heat in LA and San Jose.

September 4, 2020

 Friday September 4, 2020

Blog time 1215 at Panera

We both got up at 0615.  Nancy wasted no time getting ready for her morning walk, 3 miles.  Today she is having lunch with Mary Namey.

Calisthenics, breakfast before heading out on my morning bike ride.  It was a cool 52 but sunny.

Last night the Governor announced that sports clubs can open next week.  Nancy and I are looking forward to being able to go to MVP and the Y.  In my case it will be just a slight adjustment to my schedule.  Nancy is looking forward to resuming  swimming. Late afternoon email said the Y  I go to will open September 14.

Today’s Morning Joe was nasty. Also some news outlet reported on unsolicited emails regarding crimes by Biden’s family members.  I don’t think the bitterness will improve this year.  I recommend all Pols start attending Sunday School.

Rep Nancy Pelosi was found getting her hair done in a business that was suppose to be closed.  She said she was set up.  Sure! another example of the double standard for political elites.  Quit whining Rep Pelosi.  You got caught.

After 11 mile ride I showered put on street clothes and biked to Panera.  Arrived at 1055 and left at 1242.  Almost 2 hours at Panera.  Much too long!   Must make schedule changes after Labor Day.

Lunch and then headed down to office.  Continued reading news.  Also wrote my monthly note to Grandkids.  Finished afternoon activities with a walk to mailbox. 

For dinner Nancy fixed tamales.  Very good.

We watched news before switching to Acorn.  We watched the final two episodes of show on the trial of husband accused of the mercy killing of his wife.  The Show’s name escapes me but we gave the show a B.  Different ending. 

Debbie and Missy FaceTimed us this evening.  We gave a great report on our nice cool weather.  CA will have record heat over the weekend.

Nice and cool when I checked outside at 2200.  Looks like we will be able to walk to Panera tomorrow.

September 3, 2020

 Thursday September 3, 2020

Blog time 1150 at Panera

We had a bright moon last night.  Nice to see the moon light streaming through the slider.

Up at 0630.  Sunrise today at 0709.  The temperature was 59.  Nancy headed out early for her morning walk.

Calisthenics and breakfast before heading out on my 11 mile morning ride.  Rode into bright sunshine and light wind.  The wind will pick up as the day progresses.  A cold front is moving in.

Shaved, showered, put on civilian clothes before biking to Panera.  Ordered my daily coffee and lately my preferred pastry a croissant.  They are soft and easy to chew which should make my dentist happy.

Read Alpena News, email and the News App on my ipad.  Headed out at 1200.  

Quick lunch today because I am picking up my new Ford Focus at 1300.  Nancy drove me to Fox Ford.

With all the electronics on new cars I had to spend about 45 minutes learning all the features.  Fox Ford has a dedicated employee whose job is to give new buyers a tutorials on operating the car.

I often wonder what my Grandfather Scott would think of all the features now available on cars. Such things as automatic transmission, power steering and air conditioning were unheard of in Grandfather’s cars.  Not to mention heated seats, cruise control and all the electronics.  My Grandmother Scott did not drive.  My Grandmother Hughes had a license but I never saw her drive.  

The Ford App was downloaded to my iPhone.  One of the features is remote starting.

As soon as I got home I took Nancy for a ride.  She approved of my purchase.

Other activities Thursday activities included a nap and walk.  Read the paper edition of the GRP.  

Good News:  It was announced on the evening news that the Governor will allow Fall HS sports to start.  Football will start the week after Labor Day.  Only a six game season but all teams will be eligible for the playoffs.  Indoor sports such as volleyball and swimming are also resuming.

Tonight we watched two episodes of Taken Down on Acorn.  I thought we had finished the series but one episode left.

 It was still very windy when I checked the front yard at 2200.  Low temp tonight in low 50s.

September 2, 2020

 Wednesday September 2, 2020

Blog time 1000 sitting in Panera

Today is my easy Monday.  Got up at 0645 and looked outside.  It was raining hard.  

Nancy was going walking this morning with Carol Masten.  Because of the rain they had to call it off.  Nancy drove to Panera to get a coffee.

I did my calisthenics at 50% before breakfast.  Put on my street clothes and planned on driving the Escape to Panera.  However, it had stopped raining so I got on my bike.  Will take a longer ride later.

It is now 1000 and the temperature is 69 with bright sun.  

This and that:

I don’t know if it is our recent high humidity or just the change of season but I have increased my dosage of MG pills from 3 to four a day.  During the winter I need 8 pills a day.  Go figure.

Today I declared that I am back to normal after the recent dental implant surgery.  I am off the prescription meds and the bruises on my face are gone.

My next big health issues is the need for a hernia operation.  I will call the Surgeon and schedule a date for an operation.

Is the Kennedy era now ended?  Joe Kennedy III was defeated in the MA Senate primary yesterday.  I think he would have been a better choice than Senator Markey.  Sen Markey will bankrupt the country.

A CA court had said that the University of California system cannot use SAT of ACT scores in determining admission to their schools.  Why not?  The tests are universal and make comparisons easier.

Labor Day is coming up.  In my youth it was the unofficial start of the Presidential campaign.

Got home at 1130 and immediately changed into bike clothes.  This morning’s ride was almost 9 miles.  Slightly shorter than my other weekday rides.

Shower and then lunch, afternoon activities included:

Called Surgeon and scheduled my hernia operation.  It is set for Oct 27.

Called financial advisor and scheduled at meeting for next Tuesday.  The meeting will be held at our house.

Stopped by Fox Ford.  The AWD Fusion I had been looking at had been sold.  However, they had a used Fusion for sale that met all my needs.  I purchased the Focus.  Will pick up tomorrow.

Stopped at bank and got a Cashiers check for the car.

At 1700 took a 3/4 mile walk.  

No nap today, also because of the dental work no apples for another 6 weeks.

Nancy belongs to a Women’s club that meets once a month to select a charity to donate to.  Because of the Coronavirus the meetings are on Zoom.  Nancy watched the meeting on her iPad.  The meeting started at 1800 and lasted about an hour.

I had oatmeal and a croissant for dinner.

Tonight we watched an episode of Grantchester followed by The Marvelous Mrs Maisel.  Checked the yard at 2200, we had a bright full moon.

September 1, 2020

 Tuesday September 1, 2020

Blog time 1520 sitting in office

Welcome to the first day of fall 2020.  It was cloudy and humid when stepped outside this morning at 0700.

Nancy was quickly out the door on her 2 mile walk.  I took my time doing calisthenics.  Breakfast and then pumped up my bike tires and started my 11 mile ride.  My super duper bike tires lose air pressure rapidly.  I pump them up before every ride.

It was humid and cloudy this morning.  Temperature in high 60s when I started.  It is now 78.

This morning I encountered three Sand Hill Cranes feeding alongside the bike trail.  They were not spooked by my presence.   Sand Hill Cranes are a pretty bird.

Shaved and showered before pedaling to Panera.  I counted about 5 folks in the seating area.  Usually before the Coronavirus there would be 30.

Read the Alpena News and my email before finishing blog.  No time for the news today.  I have to be home early.

 Today we are heading to Costco after lunch.  Our old neighbor Sonya is going with us.

Costco was crowded.  Today we purchased fiber, eye drops, toilet paper and Kleenex.  Sonya also purchased toilet paper and Kleenex.  She wanted paper towels but they were sold out. I think every basket had toilet paper.

After dropping Sonya off and emptying the car I took a mile walk.  The humidity was too high for a pleasant walk.

Spent the rest of the afternoon reading.  Read sections of the “News” app on the iPad.  The app provide only headlines from several papers.  I pay about $5 a month to get an expanded issue of the UK paper “The Telegraph”.  I like to find out what is happening in the UK.

I think the UK is more screwed up than the US with Brexit and the Coronavirus problems not being resolved.  Another possible referendum on Scotland independence is rearing its ugly head. Why would Scotland with a population of only 5.5 million want independence?  It doesn’t make sense.  No wonders my ancestors bailed out and headed to North America.

For dinner tonight Nancy fixed the codfish frozen dinner we recently bought at Trader Joe’s.  It was very good.

Tonight we watched an episode of Midsomer Murders.  It was still very humid when I went out at 2200.  Rain expected overnight.

To get relaxed I usually read a book for about 30 minutes.  I usually fall asleep in twenty minutes. Tonight I finished a Sunny Randal detective book.  While reclining in bed I ordered a Ken Follett for my Kindle.  Ain’t technology great.