July 25, 2023

 Tuesday July 25, 2023

Up at 0720.  Nancy headed to MVP for spinning and treadmill.  I pedal 5 miles to MVP for chin-ups, etc.

After MVP I pedaled to Forest Hills food for bagel and Starbucks coffee.  Read the news on iPad.  Total miles pedaled was 9 miles.  It was very hot today, 86, and smoky.

Yogurt lunch, wrote monthly letters to grandkids.  Included $2 bill.

Took short nap.  Rest of day will include Happy Hour, hot dogs at Leo’s.  Will probably in watched another episode of “London Kills”.

This and that:

Met Julie Lensink at Forest Hills Foods.  She just got a call from Joe McAlister, an old neighbor.  Julie had not talked to him in over 40 years.  Called Missy to determine where McAlister’s lived.  Joe’s older sister Lisa was profoundly deaf.

I am tired of hearing about, Hunter Biden, the Kardashians, and anything Woke.  Include Harry and Megan in that list.

Several new movies were just released.  Nancy and I might see Harrison Ford’s new movie.

Why can’t we solve our border problems?

We must make a greater effort to help Ukraine.

I am hooked on Dried Mango strips.

It sure looked like it will be a Baden/Trump election.  Can’t we do better.

It being Tuesday we did have our hot dogs at Leo’s.  We also watched Acorn’s “London Kills”, two episodes.

July 24, 2023

 Monday July 24, 2023

Blog time 1618 sitting in office

Slept in this morning until 0730.  Nancy was already up getting ready for her Monday swim.

Fixed oatmeal/w blueberries for breakfast.  Pumped up tires on my Surley and pedaled five miles to MVP.  I did my chin-ups/pull-up, sit ups and pushups.  I do the pushups using a device that elevates my hands about 6” above the ground.  I cannot do standard pushups because of my arthritic right shoulder.

After MVP I pedaled 5 miles back home.  Showered, got dressed and headed to Panera for coffee and some reading.  

After Panera I headed to Home Depot.  My chin-up bar that rests on a standard door frame is too small for Cook Valley doors.  The doors in Cook Valley are wider than normal to accommodate wheel chairs.  I bought 2” dia PVC pipe.  At home I sawed the pipe to exact length.  My chin-up bar now fits perfect.

I have not written my monthly note to Grandkids.  Will try to complete this afternoon.

Blog resumes at 1930. Tonight we attended the 1700 Happy Hour.  Small group tonight.  We sat outside.  It was 84 and very pleasant.

Dinner reservations at 1745.  Tonight we both had shrimp cocktail.  I also had a bowl of tomato bisque.

Debbie FaceTimed this evening.  We had not talked in awhile. It was good to get caught up.

Tonight we watched another episode of “London Kills” on Acorn.

July 23, 2023

 Sunday July 23, 2023

Blog time 0800 sitting in office.

Up this morning at 0700.  Quickly dressed and had a yogurt breakfast.  

Helen is going today with us to Trinity Lutheran.  We left home at 0850 and arrived just in time.  Pastor Bob gave a nice short homily.  I was surprised but for the middle of summer, church service was well attended.

After the service we took a ride through downtown GR and our old neighborhood, Ottawa Hills.  OHN looked well maintained.

Before heading home Helen will stop at Granddaughter Paiges in Comstock Park.  She left our place about noon.

Nancy and I made a quick trip to Meijer’s to replenish supplies.  We also stopped at Panera for coffee and a baguette.  

I was getting ready for a bike ride when a heavy shower rolled through.  Instead of a ride I took a nap.

Nancy spent all afternoon doing the laundry.  Huge laundry because it was an accumulation of over a week.

Got a call from Helen.  She made it home.  Stopped in Alma to visit the Woodley grave site. She sent some photos.

For dinner we finished last night meal from Schnitz.  Watched 60 Minutes and then an episode of “London Kills”.  We were both in bed by 2100.

July 22, 2023

 Saturday July 22, 2023

Blog time 1500 sitting in office.

We all got up this morning at 0700.  Our guest, sister, Helen, spent the night in Cook Valley’s Guest Room.  She said it was great.  

This morning we all drove to “The Gathering Place” for breakfast.  The restaurant was busy.  Helen had cinnamon bread French toast, Nancy had the Western Omelette with raisin toast, and I had oatmeal with a scrambled egg and raisin toast.  The food was average at best.  We will try a new restaurant next Saturday.

After breakfast we took a drive north through Ada and ending up at Panera for our free coffee.  At home Helen and Nancy headed out for a shopping expedition.  Since they both have August birthdays the will buy each their present.

I put on my bike clothes.  Before heading out I put on my new bike bag.  This bag installs under the horizontal top bar.  It is big enough to carry my chain and small iPad.

Today I pedaled almost 11 miles.  My new bike is a joy to ride.  I like the wider tires and 11 gears.  A great improvement over the Bad Boy.

I got home at 1100 showered and shaved and put on clean clothes.  Helen and Nancy got home at 1300.  They said they had a great shopping day.  The stopped at Talbots, Costco and LuLulemon.  

I spent most of the rest of the day reading on my iPad and snacking. Helen brought cookies, muffins and a rhubarb.  By 1630 all the muffins and cookies were gone.  Not a great way to control my weight.

I read today’s news but found nothing I want to comment on.  Nothing will get done until our pols talk to one another.  What it wrong with compromise?

For dinner we drove to Schnitz’s Deli in Ada.  Sat outside on Schnitz’s second floor deck.  It was sunny and 81.  After dinner we walked next door to Scoopers and had an ice cream cone.  

Helen was able to hook up Granddaughter Kennedy’s soft ball game on our tv. We watched the game.  Kennedy’s team won.

July 21, 2023

Friday July 21, 2023

Blog time 1630 sitting in office.

 Slept in until 0730.

Nancy headed out early for her MVP swim.

After an oatmeal breakfast I got on my new bike and headed to MVP.  A distance of 5 miles.

Today I did my chin-ups and sit-ups.  For a Friday MVP was nearly empty.  Folks must be on vacation.  After the workout I got back on my new Surly bike and pedaled 5 miles home.

At home I took a quick shower, dressed and drove to Ada Bike.  I bought a new storage bag.  This bag is attached under the cross bar.  I will keep my locking device in the bag.

Today my sister, Helen, from Gaylord is visiting.  Helen arrived about 1500.  She brought goodies like cookies and a rhubarb pie.

We got permission to use Cook Valley’s guest room.  It is a very nice room with all the amenities.  Helen will spend two nights in the room.

We attended the 1700 Happy Hour.  After HH we have dinner reservations in the main dining room.

Tonight’s Happy Hour was lightly attended.  We had dinner reservations for 0545.  

Tonight we all had the shrimp cocktail.  I added a bowl of tomato bisque soup.  Nancy and Helen had the shrimp but Helen order a cup of soup.  It was very good.

After dinner we each had a piece of rhubarb pie.  Actually I had two.  The pie was very good.

We spent a pleasant evening talking. Helen turned in about 2100.  Nancy and I soon followed.

July 20, 2023

 Thursday July 20, 2023

Blog time 1700 sitting in office

Up this morning at 0730.

Turned on the AC before going to bed and had a great night’s sleep.  Today Nancy is heading to MVP for treadmill/bike routine.

Yesterday I bought a new bike.  It is a Surley.  The folks at Ada Bike said it it exactly what I need.  Today I hopped on the bike and pedaled to MVP.  After MVP I pedaled to Forest Hills foods.  I bought a yogurt/blueberry cup along with a bagel.  I read the morning papers.

Today our apartment is being cleaned between 1000 and 1100 so I decided not to eat breakfast at home.  Good excuse for eating out.

Got home at noon.  Showered and shaved before spending time making adjustments on bike.  Today’s lunch was a cup of yogurt with Fiber 1 topping.

No nap today.  At 1700, we attended Happy Hour held on the outdoor patio.  About 15 folks attended.

Starting tomorrow my sister Helen is spending several days with us.  I checked with Cook Valley and the guest room will be ready for her.

We had dinner tonight in the dining room.  We had another couple join us.

I had the burger and Nancy had a salad.  The burger was dry.  

Cook Valley has a new cook and we have heard several complaints about food quality.

After dinner we took a short walk.  The mosquitoes were bad so we cut our walk short.

No TV tonight.  Instead we are spending some quiet time reading.

July 19, 2013

 Wednesday July 19,

Blog Time:  1342 sitting in office

Up this morning at 0545, Breakfast Club Wednesday

This morning is a busy morning.  Today BC is moving to the Embassy Suites on upper Monroe Ave by the 6th Street Bridge.

I was a little apprehensive about finding my way around but everything was well marked.  We had about 16 folks in attendance.  The food was just average, scrambled eggs, potatoes, bacon and fruit.  

The speaker was a retired Coast Guard Captain who spoke on leadership.  It was a canned military presentation.

After BC I drove to Ada Bike.  I bought a new bike yesterday and dropped off my favorite Brooks saddle to have them put it on.  Will pick up the bike later today.  I want to thank my Nephew Jason Crandall who gave me good advice on picking the right bike.  Thanks Jason.

Nancy went swimming this morning.  She is having lunch today with Carol Masten, Becky Verker and Pat Haskins.  After lunch she will drive me to Ada to pick up my bike.

It has been over a month since I posted a blog.  I will add some tidbits about what we did during my absence on future blogs.

During my absence we have settled into a routine at Cook Valley.  We usually attend the Happy Hour each weekday starting at 1700.  About four days a week we have dinner in the main dining area.  Food is good.

Every evening we watch a streaming show on Acorn, Netflix, Prime, Apple+, or BritBox.  Right now we are watching “Lincoln Lawyer”.

We have been having great July weather.  I have been riding my bike every day.  Usually 10 miles.

Nancy and I continue to have old folks health problems.  I recently was told I have diverticulitis.  Nancy has some balance and memory issues.  But we are plugging along.

Every day I read the Alpena and Detroit News, the WSJ and Apple’ News section.  The woke folks drive me bananas.  I am also disappointed with our President.  

The situation in the Ukraine does not seem to improve.  I hope we continue to support efforts of the Ukrainians.

Locally, religious, conservative Ottawa County has gone off the tracks.  A group of very conservative Trump supporters have taken over.  Loony Tunes.  

Speaking of Trump I sure hope he disappears.  The man is a cancer.  The MI GOP is also way off the main stream.

When Nancy got home from lunch she drove me to Ada.  Made a final check of the bike and pedaled home, a distance of 5.84 miles.

Took a quick shower.  My skin is very dry so I had Nancy lotion my back.  

It is now 1655 and we are heading to Happy Hour.  Because of the nice weather we will sit outside.  14 folks were at Happy Hour.  It was very pleasant sitting outside on a perfect July and talking.

Nancy and I had 1745 dinner reservations.  Our table mates tonight were our next door neighbors the Reeses.  I had the salmon and Nancy had a salad.

Tonight we watched an episode of FuBar on Netflix.  It was kind of silly.

Missy facetimed this evening as did Nancy’s sister Peg.  Everything is ok with both callers.