October 13, 2020

 Tuesday October 13, 2020

Blog time 1130 at Panera

The alarm goes off at 0630.  Nancy put on her swim suit and headed out.  It was cold this morning 41. I will wear my lined pants and winter bike jacket when I bike to the Y.

Chin-ups and sit-ups this morning before breakfast.  Breakfast was oatmeal with yogurt topping and a banana.

The sun was just peaking over the horizon when headed out at 0800.  The sun was low enough in the sky to make riding East difficult.

At the Y I did my calisthenics and walk before showering.  The Y no longer provides towels so I had to bring my own.  Headed straight to Panera after leaving the Y.  The temperature was now 51 degrees.

Coffee and two croissants at Panera.  Since I have been on the soft food diet I have become hooked on croissants

This and that;

Will we experience a coronavirus surge this winter? Many experts are worried but agree a total lock down will not work.  Wear your masks folks.

Recent reports say there has been a recent surge in returned mail in ballots.  Experts predict a record turnout. Good a record turnout is what a democratic government should have.  Everyone participating.

Supreme Court nominee Barrett seems to be holding her own.  I am impressed.

We have been receiving some very nasty political ads in the mail.  Most have been sent from organizations I have never heard of.

Got home at 1230 and after a quick lunch we drove to the Tanger’s Discount Mall.  I was surprised to see Brook Brothers open.  They must have solved their money problems.  The Manger said they were closed for 6 months.  Opened several days ago.

Nancy purchased an item at Talbots’s.  I came home empty handed.

Today being the 13th I had to buy a lottery ticket.  We stopped at D&W.  I hope I am as lucky as I was in 1956 when I won a jeep in a lottery with ticket #13.

This afternoon I took a short nap.  For dinner I had several tamales and Nancy had mac and cheese.

After the dishes I took a short walk.  Needed the walk to close my iPhone circles.

Watched news until when we switched to Jeopardy.  Surprise! a football game was on.  Football on Tuesday?

We watched several shows on Acorn.  The name of the shows escapes me.

When checking the front yard at 2200 a deer ran across Tahoe. Made my day.  Temperature down to 30s tonight.

October 12, 2020

 Monday October 12, 2020

The alarm goes off at 0630.  Nancy immediately headed out for her early classes at MVP.  At 1100 she has an appointment with her Oral Surgeon about another tooth acting up.

I did my chin-ups and push-ups before breakfast.  This morning the temp was mild so I dressed accordingly.  The sun does not come up until 0756 so when I left a 0800 it was dark and gloomy.

The recents winds have taken down a lot of leaves.  Once again the Y was not crowded.  Mostly men.  Completed my routine and headed home.  Showered and shaved.

Today I have a 1300 doctor’s appointment.  It is a post op physical to get clearance for my Oct 29 surgery.  No time for the bike so I drove to Panera.

Read my emails, worked on my blog before leaving at 1230.  Dr Kutsche gave me a complete physical.  I am ok.  He also gave me a order for some blood work on Wednesday.

Stopped at Meijer’s for gas on way home.  Gas today was $1.97.

Nancy reported that she had another root canal today.  She will get a permanent cap some time next week.  This summer Bob and Nancy has helped the dental profession survive the Coronavirus.

Lunch and then spent several hours cleaning my desk.  I must have pitched 20 pounds of paper that had accumulated in my baskets.  I have totally rearranged my desk.  Moved the TV from the bedroom to my desk.  

No nap or walk this afternoon.  Monday night so I had my Cheerios.  Also a scone.

I have changed my evening viewing schedule.  No longer watch NBC national news.  Use this time for grooming.  We watch Shepard Smith on CNBC at 1900 for 30’ before switching to Jeopardy.  2000 we turn on Apple TV.  Tonight we watched The Gulf followed by The Sound.  

Missy FaceTimed us this evening.  She said AJ really liked her zip lining adventure on Sunday.  I mentioned the movie Enola Holmes that Nancy and I liked.  AJ had already seen it.  She also gave it good marks.

It was a cold 50 when I checked the front yard at 2200.  The heavy rain we had earlier had stopped. Temperature will drop to low 40s this evening.

October 11, 2020

 Sunday October 11, 2020

Blog time 1300 sitting in office

Up at 0700.  Nancy headed out on a 3 mile walk.  I dressed and drove to Panera to get our morning coffee.  I also got a croissant for me.

After breakfast I set up my iPad in the living room.  Today we will watch Trinity  Lutheran’s streaming church service starting at 0915.  

NOT!  I could not get today’s service on YouTube.  Bummer.  I think the problems is with the Church’s system.

Instead of church we took a color tour of northern Kent and southern Montcalm Counties.  We drove in bright sunshine.  

Both Nancy and I agree that we hit peak fall colors.  Absolutely beautiful ride.  Drove through the small towns of Howard City, Sand Lake, Cedar Springs and Rockford.  Fall in MI is great.

This and that:

I did check the headlines today but found nothing I want to comment on.  Most folks we know are taking a break from current events.

Nancy taught me to proofread everything I write before sending. She is right.  I always find several errors.  Maybe POTUS should listen to Nancy.

I forgot to mention in a previous blog that we have picked out a slate flooring for our kitchen and hall.  Installation will be done in late November or December.

I was recently asked what was my most valuable class in High School. 10 years ago I would have said a math or science class.  However, presently the most valuable class for me was typing.  I spend about 8 hours a week typing.  My handwriting has deteriorated to the point I have difficulty signing my name.  

If Amy Barrett is confirmed for the Supreme Court the majority of members will be Catholics.  My! how times have changed.  A lot of talk about JFK when he ran for President in 1960 that he would be our first Catholic president.  All previous Presidents were Masons.  

Family legend has it that the Hughes family, devout Protestants, were living in Wales and when Protestant Oliver Cromwell was recruiting an army to invade Ireland the Hughes men signed on as mercenaries about 1649.  After Cromwell defeated the Irish the Hughes stayed in Ireland settling near Gorey in County Wexford.  After the Irish Catholics started attaching Protestants the Hughes family moved to Canada in 1800s.

Lunch and then finished yesterday’s blog and started todays.

At 1400 took a 2 mile walk.  My only exercise for the day.

Took a nap today.  For dinner Nancy fixed her world famous scrambled eggs.  I had mine with a scone and some freshly made apple sauce.  The apple sauce was great.

Tonight 60 Minutes was delayed because of the NFL game.  We did finally watch it.  Debbie called tonight.  We told her about our great color tour this morning.  

It was almost 2100 when 60 Minutes ended so Nancy headed to bed.  I stayed up and watched an episode of Babylon Berlin on Netflix.

It was mild and pitch black when I made my evening check of the front yard.  Rain predicted for tomorrow afternoon.

 

October 10,2020

 October 11, 2020

Blog time 1230 on Sunday sitting in office

Saturday October 10

Everyone was up at 0700.  We dressed and walked to Panera for my oatmeal and coffee and Nancy her hazelnut coffee.  The round trip miles, 1.66.

Sunny and warm today.  The temp might reach 80.  Today will be the last day with temp above 70 for awhile.

At home Nancy started the laundry.  I spent time reading email and the hometown paper.  AHS has not won a football game this year.  Bummer.  In my youth AHS never had a losing season.

At 1030 I headed out on an 8.8 mile bike ride.  Once again I took my normal weekday route, backward.  Strong 15mph winds to so I had the wind at my back for most of the ride.  It being Saturday I shaved my face and headed before showering.

After lunch I drove to Meijer’s to pick up a prescription.  Also bought yogurt, bananas and pudding.  I have been eating so much dairy lately I will ask the Doctor to check my cholesterol on Monday.  I bet it is sky high.

I found time for a nap this afternoon.  Finished the afternoon with a 0.67 mi walk.  Took the walk because I wanted to close my circles on Apple’s fitness app.  I am obsessed with closing all the circles.  I should try and break this habit.

Nancy fixed Chicken Noodle soup for dinner.  Also had a walnut scone.

Tonight we watched an episode of “Midsomer Murders”.  

Granddaughter Alessandra FaceTimed us this afternoon.  She got us caught up on the doings of the Scott Team.

This evening Missy FaceTimed us.  Tomorrow she is taking Akerke on a zip line safari.  Missy said she will watch but not try zip lining.

Pleasant and warm 50s when checked outside at 2200.  Looks like another nice day ahead.

October 9, 2020

 Friday October 9, 2020

Blog time 1200 at Panera

The alarm goes off at 0630.  Nancy quickly got ready for her two classes at MVP.  Later this morning, 1000, she is taking me to Ada Bike for I can pick up the Bianchi.  At noon she has her monthly Book Club.

This morning I did my entire exercise routine at home.  It only takes 30 minutes.  Breakfast and then I took the short route to Panera.  Temperature was 40.  

Arrived at 0830 and left for home at 1000.  Nancy was waiting and she drove me to Ada Bike.  I picked up the Bianchi and pedaled the 6 miles home.  Temperature was now 55.

At Home, Kim was still cleaning so headed back to Panera.  Finished yesterday’s blog and continued my daily reading routine.

This and that;

It is now 1300 and the temp is 70.  A 30 degree change since 0800.  Might reach 80 later.  Indian summer?

The Coronavirus will not go away.  Cases are rising.

This is the year for natural disasters.  Forest fires still going, 2nd major hurricane heading to Gulf, heat waves in CA, and storms in Midwest.  It is enough to drive one to drink.

Got home from Panera at 1300.  Quick lunch and spent some time making some adjustment to furniture downstairs.

As soon as Nancy got back from Book Club we made a quick trip to Breton Village.  Nancy visited Talbots and I looked in Orvis.  We did not purchase anything.  

We drove through East Grand Rapids on our way home.  Political signs were everywhere.  I was surprised in conservative EGR Biden signs far outnumbered Trumps.  Based on this I now predict that Biden will win easily.

Tonight we had dinner at Sundance Grill.  We sat outside.  Very pleasant.  The food was average.

Watched a little news before switching to Netflix.  Tonight we watched a movie titled “Enola Holmes”.  Very entertaining I Highly recommend it.

The temperature was still in the 60s when I checked the front yard at 2200.

October 8, 2020

 Thursday October 8, 2020

Blog time noon at Panera

Alarm goes off at 0630.  Nancy has an early morning swim so she was out the door by 0700.

It was a cold 40 this morning.  Sun does not come up until 0747 but my weather app said it will be sunny.

Chin-ups/pull-ups before breakfast.  I shaved before putting on warm bike clothes.  Headed out into bright sun this morning. I drive by a fitness class every morning.  They have been having classes outside.  This morning was no exception.  Most folks were wearing tees.  Good grief it is 40.

This morning I saw a flock of about 20 turkeys feeding alongside the trail.  The reds on the maples this year are spectacular.

The Y was nearly empty.  For this first time in 7 months I took a shower at the Y.

When I left the Y, heading to Panera the temp was 60.  20 degrees warmer than at 0800.

This and that:

POTUS says no debate if the format is virtual.

The U.K. has a national health service.  The waiting list for minor surgery is over a year. I had to wait three weeks for my upcoming surgery and I was given several options.

The attempt to kidnap our governor is all the news.  The clowns planning the kidnapping thought their actions would start a civil war.  They have no clue about what the average citizen thinks.  Stupid, stupid.  Now the taxpayers will give them free room and board for the next 20 years.  What is wrong with the firing squad.

Think POTUS is self destructing.  

The beautiful weather is a real big help is fighting the blues.

Got home from Panera at 1300.  I thought taking a shower at the Y and then heading directly to the Y would allow me to get home at noon. 

Spent time in office cleaning up.  Kim comes tomorrow.

Took a nice long nap. For dinner Nancy Fire me Trader Jones’s cod dinner.  Very good.

After watching the news and Jeopardy we switched to Acorn and watched “The Gulf”.

Debbie and Missy both FaceTimed this evening.  Also had a nice talk with Jennifer Dougherty.

October 7, 2020

 Wednesday October 7, 2020

Blog time 1020 at Panera

Today is Breakfast Club Wednesday.  Alarm goes off at 0630.  

Nancy has an early morning class at MVP.  Later she and friends are going to a donut shop for donuts and coffee.

I dressed and drove to Panera for coffee.  Took the coffee home and watched this morning’s BC meeting on Zoom.

We had 26 folks in attendance this morning.  This morning’s speaker is associated with Habitat for Humanity.  He talked about their program for veterans.  Good talk.

After the meeting I grabbed my overloaded back pack and headed to Panera.  Oatmeal and bagel for breakfast.  Read emails before heading to Y.

At the Y I finally have access to my locker.  Now I will be able to store my workout clothes and shoes instead in lugging them back and forth between home and Y.  My bike rack and backpack were over loaded.

I took my normal 7 mile route home but backwards.  Good thing because I had a 15 mph wind at my back.  Easy ride.

At home showered and had a quick lunch.  

Nancy has not used her Macatawa Debit card in several months.  She tried recently what she thought was her password but no luck.  I took the card to Macatawa’s ATM and tried several passwords.  No luck.  The folks inside gave me a number to call.  Nancy called and reset her pw.

Being Wednesday I did a load of laundry and took out the trash. Even found time for a nap.

This and that:

Our recent high winds have dropped a lot of leaves and various nuts onto the bike path.  I have to be careful on the bike.

POTUS seems to be backing off on his threat to delay the stimulus until after the elections.  Good news. Just hope it is much less that Speaker Pelosi’s 2 trillion.

The Ca forest fires this year have been the most destructive ever.  California’s fires have released vast amounts of carbon.  

This evening is the Vice President Debate.  Who cares. I will not watch.

For dinner tonight we had Cheerios with strawberries.  Watched Shepard Smith news program before switching to Jeopardy.  We no longer watch the news on PBS.

Tonight we watched a new show on Acorn call “The Gulf”.  Not bad.  

High temp today was 65.  It was 55 when checked outside at 2200.  It should be 40 by morning.