October 6, 2020

 Tuesday October 6, 2020

Blog time 1230 at Panera

Nancy was up early this morning.  She had to get to the pool early to get a lane.  At 1130 she has her Root Canal.  If she is feeling ok we will go to Costco after lunch.

This morning shaved before push-ups and chin-ups.  Breakfast and then headed to the Y.  Temperature was in mid 40s so no need for heavy pants or jackets.  The fall colors get better and better every day.  No critters today.

Once again the Y was not crowded.  Folks must be avoiding working out inside especially when the weather is so good.

At home showered before heading to Panera.  Ordered coffee and blueberry bagel.  Read Alpena News and emails before starting blogs.

This and that:

This mornings Alpena News said 35% voter turnout in August primary.  However, the number of young folks voting was disappointing.  Older folks get a gold star.

Nationwide based on absentee ballots already received a record turnout is predicted.  

POTUS says he will attend next week’s debate.  I sure hope he get clearance from his medical staff.  

On August 29 I am having surgery.  I must get a Coronavirus test on the 22nd.  It takes 7 days to get results?  POSTUS and professional athletes get results in 24 hours.  Is this fair?

Nobel Prize in Physics announced today.  Two men and a women, all white.  Will we hear protests?

The President announces that no relief package until after the election.  The stock market immediately tanked.  Most economists agree an immediate stimulus package is needed.  Congress should ignore POTUS and get a package passed.

After lunch Nancy and I headed to Costco.  It was senior’s day. We filled our list.  

Took a nap this afternoon.  For dinner tonight Nancy and I headed to Russ’s.  We both had a bowl of chicken rice soup and muffin.  I think Nancy and I were the youngest patrons.

At home we watched some local news before switching to Shepard Smith on CNBC.  Watched for 30’ before switching to Jeopardy.  Finished the evening watching crime show on Acorn.

Debbie called this evening wanting to know how Nancy’s root canal went.  Nancy gave a positive report.

Temperature was in 60s when headed out at 2200.  Morning temps will be in 60s.  Several days ago morning temps in 30s. 

October 5, 2020

Monday October 5, 2020

Blog time 1215 at Panera

Up at 0630.  Nancy has an early class at MVP.  I asked about her quality of sleep and she said bad.  She has a tooth acting up.

Push-ups and chin-ups before breakfast.  It was 33 degrees so I got out my lined bike pants.  Took all my work out gear to put in my locker this morning.  My bike bag and saddle bags were full.

As I entered the Y two deer ran across my path. Only critters I saw this morning.

The locker room was open but the attendant told me the locker I rent was not available.  I grumbled about being charged for the locker and being able to use it.  I was looking forward to a shower after working out.  Not going to happen.  

The inside Y was not crowded.  However, the outside classes were full.  I shiver when see folks working out in 40 degree temperature.

At home I unloaded my bike of all the gear I had intended to leave at the Y.  Showered and then biked to Panera.

Nancy called our dentist about her tooth ache.  She got an 1100 appointment.

It is now 1230 and the temperature is now 55.  20 degrees warmer than early morning. 

This and that:

Several of President Trump’s team have also contacted the Coronavirus.  Why didn’t these clowns wear a mask.

Lions lost another one.

Stock Market goes up, go figure.

Democratic Government’s lack of concern regarding China’s strong arm tactics especially against minorities in their own country is disturbing.  

Good grief, this morning President Trump tweeted 18 times.  Give it a rest POTUS.

Everyone agrees congress needs to pass a relief package.  But no agreement yet.

The Supreme Court appointment hearings are confusing because several key GOP senators have tested positive.  I think Ms Barrett is a good choice.  What is wrong with a Christian being appointed.  The USA is losing it Christian roots.  The Dems left wing have said there is no place in the party for folks who are anti-abortion.  Shame on them.  The USA should be a big umbrella.

The Nobel Prize committee has awarded the Prize in Medicine to two USA Doctors and one from UK.  Folks are already criticizing because the winners are white men.  I thought the prize was awarded on merit?

Did not get home from Panera until 1300.  Nancy reported that she has an infected tooth.  She has an appointment for a root canal tomorrow. Ouch!

Lunch and then loaded up the Bianchi and took it to Ada Bike to get a smaller front chain ring.  The smaller ring will make pedaling easier.  

Got a message on the Escape’s panel that my key battery needed to be replaced.  Told Nancy that I had to go to Fox Ford for a new key battery.  She said she wanted to go.  Dropped her off at Trader Joe’s while I got the battery replaced.  TJ’s was not busy so Nancy was waiting for me.

This afternoon I took a short nap.  No walk today.

For dinner we had Cheerios with strawberries.  Watched the news and at 1900 I watched Shepard Smith new show on CNBC.  No Jeopardy tonight.

It being Monday we watched a new episode of The Sounds.  After we watched an episode of The Advocates.  The show is set in Edinburgh in the 90s.  

It was still in the 50s when I checked the front yard.  Warmup tomorrow with temps reaching 65.

October 4, 2020

 Sunday October 4, 2020

Blog time 1500 sitting in office

Nancy was up at 0630 put on her warm walking clothes and headed out for a 3 mile walk.  It was mid 30s when she headed out.  

I got up at 0700.  Dressed and headed to Panera.  I bought Nancy a hazelnut coffee and a light roast for me.  Also got myself a plain bagel.  

For breakfast I fixed oatmeal with a yogurt topping.  Also had my coffee and bagel.  Very tasty.

Today is Grandson Lucas’s 15th birthday.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY LUCAS.

Read the GRP’s comics before watching the 30th Virtual Service from Trinity Lutheran.  In person services will start on October 24.  Great news.

After church Nancy and I headed to Meijer’s for groceries.  It was not an original idea.  Meijer’s was jammed.

After Meijer’s I dressed for a bike ride.  My purpose was to stop a the Y to put shoes and workout clothes in a locker I rent.  The attendant said the locker room was closed. Bummer! Total miles traveled today, 8.11 mile

Before lunch I looked out our south slider and saw three deer in the back yard.  The same deer we have been tracking all summer.  

Lunch and then spent some time reading the GRP.  Took a short nap.  My afternoon naps have been providing me with good quality sleep.

Missy FaceTimed about 1630.  She was calling from her store.  The heat and forest fire smoke in the LA area are not letting up. Missy like most LA parents wish schools would return to normal.  Not going to happen soon.  

I finished the afternoon with a mile walk.  For dinner Nancy fixed her world famous poached eggs.  I had mine on a waffle.  Also spinach pie and some of my Sister’s banana bread.

Football game delayed 60 Minutes.  I watched a portion.  

Debbie FaceTimed this evening.  Heat and smoke are also a problem in San Jose.  We gave a positive health report.

Nancy headed to bed early.  I stayed up and watched the Polish crime show The Woods on Netflix.

It was pitch black when I checked out at 2200.  The temperature was in high 40s.  It might freeze this evening.  

October 3, 2020

Saturday October 3, 2020

Blog time 1545 sitting in office

We both slept in until 0730.  It was cold, high 30s, but no wind so the walk to Panera was pleasant.  

I had my usual oatmeal and coffee.  Today I also ordered a croissant.  Nancy just had her hazelnut coffee.  Spent a relaxing hour at Panera.

At home Nancy started the laundry.  I put on warm bike clothes and headed out on a 9 mile ride.  Today I did my weekday route but backwards.  It is easier backwards.  Fall colors are near peak.

It is grooming Saturday so I shaved head and face before showering.  Spent the rest of morning reading the news and emails.   Lunch and then headed back to office to finish yesterday’s blog and start today’s.

I did find time for a nap.  No walk this afternoon.  

Dinner tonight was pasta with tomato sauce.  Also had croissant and cottage cheese.  For dessert tonight we drove to Culver’s.

Nancy had a small hot fudge sundae.  I had a medium vanilla frozen custard.  We both agreed dessert was great.

Tonight we watched episode 1 of Ratched on Netflix.  We both gave it a C.

Debbie FaceTimed us this evening.  It was very hot in CA.  Because of the Napa fires folks were told to stay inside.  

Light rain when I checked outside at 2200.  Temp will drop to mid 30s overnight.

   

October 2, 2020

 Friday October 2, 2020

Blog time 1230 at Panera.

Up at 0645.  Nancy headed out immediately because she has two early classes this morning.

I stepped outside to check the weather.  It was a cold 35.  Got out warmer workout pants and my winter bike coat.

Pull-ups/sit-ups before breakfast.  The warmer bike coat made for a pleasant 7 mile ride to the Y.

The Y was empty this morning.  I did my calisthenics and a short walk.  It takes 24 minutes to do my standard routine.

At home I showered and headed to Panera.

This and that:

President Trump’s coronavirus caused an immediate drop in stock market but by 1230 it was positive.  

A lot of President Trump haters are mocking him, including China’s Premier.

Supreme Court hearing will continue.  What happens if a GOP Senator is tested positive but with no symptoms.  Can he enter the Senate chambers to vote? Every GOP vote is needed to get a confirmation.

Tonight the Alpena High football team plays their third game.  So far they have not won a game.  Sometimes this happens. It is not the end of the world.  

I remember in 1951, Porky Stemkowski and I were co-captains of the McPhee Junior High football teams.  We were so bad that we never won a game.  If fact we did not even score a touchdown.  Life, however, turned out pretty good for me. 

Got home from Panera at 1300. Lunch and then I got a call from Fox Ford that the weatherproof trunk liners I ordered were in.  Nancy and I got in the Fusion and headed out.  Trader Joe’s is next to Fox Ford so I dropped her off.  Picked up and installed the trunk liner.  When I got back to T.J’s I only had to  wait three minutes before Nancy finished.

At home I took a short nap.  No walk today.

This evening we had dinner at Brann’s.  Usually on Friday night Brann’s would be crowded with guys stopping off for a quick beer with co-workers.  The Coronavirus has put a stop to this tradition.  

Before dinner I had a glass of wine and Nancy had her usual, frozen Margarita with no salt.  We enjoyed our drink before ordering.  Nancy had a Michigan Cherry chicken salad and I a bowl of chili.  The food is always good at Brann’s.

The news tonight was all about the President’s health.  We watched this news on CNBC.  Shepard Smith has a new News show that started this week.  We gave it a try.

Tonight we watched the final episode, season 1, of Absentia.  Nancy headed to bed and I stayed up and watched an episode of a Polish Crime show.

Checked the front yard at 2200.  The temp was in high 40s but will drop to 30s this evening.

 

 

October 1, 2020

 Thursday October 1, 2020

Blog time 1430 sitting in office.

Nancy and I slept in until 0700 this morning.  Helen was still sleeping.  I brought up the coffee pot from the basement and we made a pot of huckleberry coffee.  We purchased this coffee in Montana when on a tour of the northern Rockies.  Very good.

Helen has a tight schedule this morning so she did not want to go out for breakfast.  We all had a scone Nancy had purchased from Sugar Momma.  Very good.

We had some light rain early this morning. It was cool, 51.

After Helen left I did some light calisthenics.  Put on bike clothes and headed out on a 10.5 mile ride.  No Y today.  I lucked out, encountered no rain.

Showered and then started reading Alpena News and emails.

Nancy at 1300 is taking our old neighbor Sonya to Costco and D&W.  Nancy headed out and before she got to Sonya’s it started to rain hard.  Also some heavy hail was mixed in.  Nancy headed home and will return when the rain stops.

Quick lunch and then finished yesterday’s blog.  It is now 1450 and Nancy has just returned.  I will pause this blog and run some errands.  Stay tuned.

My first stop was the laundry to pick up shirts.  Next I stopped at Starbucks and purchased a gift card.  The Starbucks I used is new.  It has limited seating but they do a gang buster drive through business.  They always have at least 10 cars in line.

Finished the afternoon with a 0.66 mile walk.  Encountered a cold brisk west wind.  Several days of cold weather ahead.

For dinner I had a bowl of oatmeal.  Nancy finished her beef dip from Wednesday night.  

Tonight at 1900 we watched a hour debate between candidates running for the US House.  The GOP candidate is Pete Meijer’s, Great Grandson of the founder of the Meijer’s Thrifty Acres.  I was pleasantly surprised at how articulate Mr Meijer’s was.  I like the fact that he is an Army vet having served in the midEast. He has my vote.

We watched two episodes of Absentia before turning in.  Checked front yard at 2200.  It was cold.  Temp might reach mid 30s by morning.  BRR!

September 30, 2020

 Wednesday September 30, 2020

Blog time 1000 at Panera

Alarm goes off at 0630.  Nancy has two early classes this morning.  This afternoon she is working at the Gardens.  My sister, Helen, is due about 1400.  This evening Helen, Nancy and I are meeting Karen Horlings at Blue Water Grill for dinner.  The girls were all classmates at Albion.

Being my easy Wednesday calisthenics at 50%.

Short bike ride, 3 mi, to Panera for an oatmeal breakfast.

Weather folks say on and off rain all day.  They were right.  Noted hard rain while having breakfast.

Eavesdropping this morning most of the conversation was about last night’s Presidential debate.  All comments were negative.

I watched the debate for a short time.  It was terrible.  The UK papers all said the USA was embarrassed.  I agree.

Left Panera at 1015 and again I took a short route, 2.75 mi. I lucked out the rain had stopped just before heading home.

At home I started the laundry and emptied the trash and recyclables.  Read some more news on my IPad.  Found no news items I want to comment on.

Nancy was all dressed for her shift at Meijer’s Gardens.  At noon she got a call saying nobody was visiting so they canceled her shift.

Sister, Helen, arrived about 1500.  We all made at trip to Costco.  Helen made several purchases.  The Scott’s came home empty handed.

At 1700 we headed to Blue Water Grill in Plainfield Twp.  The place was jammed.  Waited 30 minutes before we got a table.  The reason for the wait was because of Coronavirus every other table was was not available.  This has to be hard on restaurants.

Helen and I had the salmon and Nancy and Karen had a French dip sandwich.  We all gave the food and drinks an A.  It was a very pleasant evening.

At home we sat in the living room and talked.  That is right folks just talked.  No TV etc.  Great way to spend an evening. I recommend it.

We all headed to bed at 2200. It was stilling raining when I went out at 2200.  Temperature will drop to high 40s by morning