It rained and the wind blew hard all last night. The alarm goes off at 0636 and Nancy gets up to go to her body pump class at the MAC. I decided to go for a long run. I head out around 0730 and it is pitch black. I wore my GPS and ran my old route from the 70's. It is 4.5 miles. I ran the distance without any pain. However, my time was terrible. I averaged 11:40 per mile. Yesterday I ran a 9:50 mile inside. It started to rain halfway through the run. It was raining so hard the last mile that I had to take my glasses off to see. Sunrise this morning was 0815. I am glad today is the last day of daylight savings time.
I drove to the Kava House for coffee and a scone. Nancy dropped by the Kava House later and I bought her a coffee. I drove up to the Chevy dealer on Plainfield to look at their selection of Cobalts. It was limited and they offered the same for my Aztek as the 28th St dealer. I understand that the reason for the short supply of Focus and Cobalt cars is the cash for clunkers program. Dealers wiped out their inventory of small, gas efficient cars. I also stopped by Eddie Bauer to see if they had a jacket I saw in their catalog. They did not but I did purchase a pair of lined Khakis.
This afternoon I took a short nap and finished my book. Nancy fixed veggie burgers for dinner. They were quite good. I also had a bowl of soup. I was in charge of handing out candy tonight. The number of trick or treaters was not as heavy as past years. I think it was because a lot of neighbors were not participating. I turned the lights off at 8.
Today we talked with all the family. Debbie said it was in the 70s in Santa Clara. Melissa was taking Akerka trick or treating. Steve, Veronica and the kids were going to a Halloween party. I watched some football today. My take on UM is that they are not very well coached. I thought IU got a bad call in their game with Iowa. I also watched part of the baseball game.
Ossineke, MI this date in 1938. It was a mild clear Monday. GG purchased $5 worth of wood for the church from J.C. Kendrick.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Friday, October 30, 2009
Friday October 30, 2009
It was raining hard when I got up. I changed my workout plan and for the first time in months I drove to the MAC. It was still raining hard when I left the MAC. Today's DFP had many articles on the shooting of the black Muslim in Detroit. In fact, most of the articles thought the FBI over reacted. However, if someone shot at me I would shoot back.
After lunch I headed out and ran some errands. I stopped at "Hitches by George" to see if they could mount a bike hitch on a Cobalt or Focus. I then stopped by the Ford dealer and got a price on a 2010 Focus and Ranger pickup. I also stopped by the Chevy dealer to look at the Cobalt. It was raining so hard that I called off the Cobalt inspection. My biggest worry about a small car is how am I going to transport my kayak. Bill and Paul's had several kayak racks but they recommended that I wait to 2010 when Thule will come out with a blockbuster carrier.
Although a small pickup would meet my needs I am worried about driving in ice and snow. The small pickups also get poor gas mileage. I think that 4 door Cobalt or Focus is my best bet. My car decision will be based on the vehicle that can best transport my toys.
The remaining afternoon was spent going through my mail. I am amazed how many requests I get for money. I must be on every health organization's mailing list.
This evening Nancy and I went to Great Lakes Shipping for dinner. The place was crowded. I got the fried perch and Nancy went to the salad bar. There are several good movies on TV but I want to finish my book tonight.
I got a message on facebook from Steve telling me to change my browser if I want to cut and paste to this blog. Another computer guy gave me the same advise. Is foxfire that good?
Ossineke, MI this date in 1938. It was a clear mild Sunday. Church service was at 1100 with 11 folks in attendance. In the PM GG drove to Alpena. They were home by 5:30.
After lunch I headed out and ran some errands. I stopped at "Hitches by George" to see if they could mount a bike hitch on a Cobalt or Focus. I then stopped by the Ford dealer and got a price on a 2010 Focus and Ranger pickup. I also stopped by the Chevy dealer to look at the Cobalt. It was raining so hard that I called off the Cobalt inspection. My biggest worry about a small car is how am I going to transport my kayak. Bill and Paul's had several kayak racks but they recommended that I wait to 2010 when Thule will come out with a blockbuster carrier.
Although a small pickup would meet my needs I am worried about driving in ice and snow. The small pickups also get poor gas mileage. I think that 4 door Cobalt or Focus is my best bet. My car decision will be based on the vehicle that can best transport my toys.
The remaining afternoon was spent going through my mail. I am amazed how many requests I get for money. I must be on every health organization's mailing list.
This evening Nancy and I went to Great Lakes Shipping for dinner. The place was crowded. I got the fried perch and Nancy went to the salad bar. There are several good movies on TV but I want to finish my book tonight.
I got a message on facebook from Steve telling me to change my browser if I want to cut and paste to this blog. Another computer guy gave me the same advise. Is foxfire that good?
Ossineke, MI this date in 1938. It was a clear mild Sunday. Church service was at 1100 with 11 folks in attendance. In the PM GG drove to Alpena. They were home by 5:30.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Thursday October 29, 2009
Today is suppose to be warm (65) and sunny. The only thing I noted when I headed to the MAC at 0830 was that it was still dark. The sun was still not out when I left the MAC for the Kava House at 1030. My Kindle had a statement that said the DFP was going to be delayed. At 3 Pm the DFP was still not available.
After lunch I spent some time on the computer. I also called Melissa to talk about a health insurance plan for Akerke. Tom Mayan is now a friend on my facebook. I gave Tom a call to see how things were going. Tom is a civil engineer and my age. We have been friends for 40 years. Tom and I talked for about 45 minutes. I also got a call from the program director for the Breakfast Club. He asked if I would introduce the speaker at the next meeting. I said yes.
The sun finally came out about 3 and I decided to wash some outside windows. We have new windows all around the house. The windows are easy to clean because they are a single sheet instead of many individual panes. I quit at 5:15 so I could get ready to go out to dinner. Nancy and I are meeting some friends at Pietro's for dinner. During the week they have $7 dinners and $1 beers. We spent 2 hours in the restaurant eating and talking. It was a pleasant evening.
Ossineke, MI this date in 1938. It was a clear cold Saturday. They had 1/4" of ice form on the ponds. GG took a gas barrel to Zaphere in the morning. In the afternoon GG brought Zaphere to the barn to see the tractor.
I originally typed this blog in Word. When I tried to cut and paste the document into this blog it would not work. So I had to type directly into the blog template. Why won't the copy and paste work?
After lunch I spent some time on the computer. I also called Melissa to talk about a health insurance plan for Akerke. Tom Mayan is now a friend on my facebook. I gave Tom a call to see how things were going. Tom is a civil engineer and my age. We have been friends for 40 years. Tom and I talked for about 45 minutes. I also got a call from the program director for the Breakfast Club. He asked if I would introduce the speaker at the next meeting. I said yes.
The sun finally came out about 3 and I decided to wash some outside windows. We have new windows all around the house. The windows are easy to clean because they are a single sheet instead of many individual panes. I quit at 5:15 so I could get ready to go out to dinner. Nancy and I are meeting some friends at Pietro's for dinner. During the week they have $7 dinners and $1 beers. We spent 2 hours in the restaurant eating and talking. It was a pleasant evening.
Ossineke, MI this date in 1938. It was a clear cold Saturday. They had 1/4" of ice form on the ponds. GG took a gas barrel to Zaphere in the morning. In the afternoon GG brought Zaphere to the barn to see the tractor.
I originally typed this blog in Word. When I tried to cut and paste the document into this blog it would not work. So I had to type directly into the blog template. Why won't the copy and paste work?
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Wednesday October 28, 2009
Yes folks it is Wednesday and I again must decide where I will eat breakfast and what will I do on this day that is supposed to be warm and partly sunny. I decide on Wolfgang's for breakfast. I have corn beef hash and eggs. The food is good at Wolfgang's but it is very noisy. After breakfast I have to make my second major decision. What will I do? Today the decision was easy. I load up the AT into the Aztek and head for Holland State Park. The parking lot at the beach was nearly empty, just a few fishermen. We had several days with high winds so portions of the parking lot was filled with sand drifts.
I left the park and headed north on Lakeshore Drive. I filled the AT's tires to max capacity, 80 psi, so pedaling was relatively easy. I chose the AT over the road bike because, although the road bike is easier to pedal, it is not as stable when pedaling through areas of deep wet leaves. In fact there were areas where it was like pedaling on a yellow carpet. I rode all the way to the Lakeshore Road bridge over Pigeon River. The vehicular bridge and pedestrian bridge were in good shape. However, the restaurant located on the south side of the river was closed. Nancy and I had lunch there several times during construction of the bridge.
The colors are at their peak but the leaves are falling fast. I predict that most of the trees will be bare by the end of the week. I chose the perfect day for the ride. The sun was out and traffic on the bike path was very light. Even though the bike trail parallels the lake shore it is not flat. There were two hills that I had to get out and walk. This is the major disadvantage of a single speed. However, it is rare that I cannot negotiate a hill. The ride took 2h40' and I travelled 27.1 miles. It was a leisurely ride and I averaged 10.2 mph. In fact I looked at my GPS at 26.2 miles and it read 2h33'. 2h33' is an easy time for most marathon runners.
When I got home I showered and took a short nap. It is now 6 PM and tonight Nancy and I will read the GRP and watch a little TV. I hope to finish my book tonight. I got my 30 in today did you? This is blog number 503. Time flies when you're having fun.
Ossineke, MI this date in 1938. It was a clear cold Friday. GG wrote that he and Huey went to look at sheep manure today. (He also mentioned it yesterday)
I left the park and headed north on Lakeshore Drive. I filled the AT's tires to max capacity, 80 psi, so pedaling was relatively easy. I chose the AT over the road bike because, although the road bike is easier to pedal, it is not as stable when pedaling through areas of deep wet leaves. In fact there were areas where it was like pedaling on a yellow carpet. I rode all the way to the Lakeshore Road bridge over Pigeon River. The vehicular bridge and pedestrian bridge were in good shape. However, the restaurant located on the south side of the river was closed. Nancy and I had lunch there several times during construction of the bridge.
The colors are at their peak but the leaves are falling fast. I predict that most of the trees will be bare by the end of the week. I chose the perfect day for the ride. The sun was out and traffic on the bike path was very light. Even though the bike trail parallels the lake shore it is not flat. There were two hills that I had to get out and walk. This is the major disadvantage of a single speed. However, it is rare that I cannot negotiate a hill. The ride took 2h40' and I travelled 27.1 miles. It was a leisurely ride and I averaged 10.2 mph. In fact I looked at my GPS at 26.2 miles and it read 2h33'. 2h33' is an easy time for most marathon runners.
When I got home I showered and took a short nap. It is now 6 PM and tonight Nancy and I will read the GRP and watch a little TV. I hope to finish my book tonight. I got my 30 in today did you? This is blog number 503. Time flies when you're having fun.
Ossineke, MI this date in 1938. It was a clear cold Friday. GG wrote that he and Huey went to look at sheep manure today. (He also mentioned it yesterday)
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Tuesday October 27, 2009
Surprise! it was not raining this morning. I wore my GPS today. The distance from home to the MAC is 2.4 miles or 4k. I was surprised at how slow I run. I was averaging about 11 minutes per mile. This is 1 minute slower than what I ran on the track yesterday. Maybe hills do make a difference. Anyway I did run 8k and my GPS said I burned about 600 cal.
Today's WSJ had several opinion columns about the poor performance of our President. Everyone is worried about all the money we are spending. I keep making a note to myself to write my senators and representative about withdrawing all our forces from the middle east. Maybe tomorrow. It also looks like the UM football program might be in trouble with the NCAA. On an upbeat side the sun came out and no wind. I think this is one of the windiest years I can remember. Global warming?
After lunch I took advantage of the warm temps and lack of wind to paddle around Reeds Lake. This lake level is up because of all the rain we have had lately. Nearly 90% of the docks have been pulled out. The high water level and the missing docks allowed me to paddle close to shore and look at the homes around the lake. There are some real nice homes. The lake was like glass and there was only one other boat on the lake. I was surprised at the number of swans. I counted 16 in one flock. There were an additional 4 or 5 flocks of three or more. During the summer I usually see 5 swans, max. Are the swans just passing through?
Tonight I will watch NCIS at 8 and then head for bed at 9. My book is getting good. I have read until 12 the past 2 nights. Next Tuesday is election day. We have a city commission seat and also a school millage renewal.
Ossineke, MI this date in 1938. It was a clear, cold Thursday. GG and Huey went to look at sheep manure at McKinnon's farm. I just copy what GG wrote.
Today's WSJ had several opinion columns about the poor performance of our President. Everyone is worried about all the money we are spending. I keep making a note to myself to write my senators and representative about withdrawing all our forces from the middle east. Maybe tomorrow. It also looks like the UM football program might be in trouble with the NCAA. On an upbeat side the sun came out and no wind. I think this is one of the windiest years I can remember. Global warming?
After lunch I took advantage of the warm temps and lack of wind to paddle around Reeds Lake. This lake level is up because of all the rain we have had lately. Nearly 90% of the docks have been pulled out. The high water level and the missing docks allowed me to paddle close to shore and look at the homes around the lake. There are some real nice homes. The lake was like glass and there was only one other boat on the lake. I was surprised at the number of swans. I counted 16 in one flock. There were an additional 4 or 5 flocks of three or more. During the summer I usually see 5 swans, max. Are the swans just passing through?
Tonight I will watch NCIS at 8 and then head for bed at 9. My book is getting good. I have read until 12 the past 2 nights. Next Tuesday is election day. We have a city commission seat and also a school millage renewal.
Ossineke, MI this date in 1938. It was a clear, cold Thursday. GG and Huey went to look at sheep manure at McKinnon's farm. I just copy what GG wrote.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Monday October 26, 2009
It rained on my way to the MAC and also on my way to the Kava House. If fact it rained all day. On my bike ride this morning I saw all the professional lawn care companies out with their leaf blowers. The recent rains have dropped a ton of leaves. In EGR all you have to do is blow the leaves into the gutter and the city will pick them up. In GR you must bag all your leaves.
I did not leave the Kava House until 1. This afternoon I had several errands to run. First I stopped at D&W and purchased some leaf bags. Then I mailed a package to Lieda's daughter. I stopped by the eye doctors to get some optical soap. I need this soap to get my hands super clean when handling my contacts. I have been car shopping and I stopped by the Chevy dealer in Coopersville. They had a big ad in Sunday's GRP selling Cobalts real cheap. It was a smoke screen. I stopped by GR Bike Company and got some supplies and asked about a bike rack for a Cobalt. I want the trailer hitch with an extension. The GR Bike Company sells the racks but they ain't cheap. Finally I stopped by Berger Chevy and looked at both the Cobalt and HHR. I am amazed at how incompetent car salesmen are. A good salesman would have sold me a car. I ain't easy but I can be had.
After all the running around I took a 1.5 mile walk. Nothing on TV so I caught up on my magazine reading. The book I am reading is getting interesting. Last night I read until midnight.
Ossineke, MI this date in 1938. It was a rainy Wednesday and GG drove to Spruce to attend the 50 anniversary of the local church. Mrs. Bellamore went with them. They got home at 1130.
I did not leave the Kava House until 1. This afternoon I had several errands to run. First I stopped at D&W and purchased some leaf bags. Then I mailed a package to Lieda's daughter. I stopped by the eye doctors to get some optical soap. I need this soap to get my hands super clean when handling my contacts. I have been car shopping and I stopped by the Chevy dealer in Coopersville. They had a big ad in Sunday's GRP selling Cobalts real cheap. It was a smoke screen. I stopped by GR Bike Company and got some supplies and asked about a bike rack for a Cobalt. I want the trailer hitch with an extension. The GR Bike Company sells the racks but they ain't cheap. Finally I stopped by Berger Chevy and looked at both the Cobalt and HHR. I am amazed at how incompetent car salesmen are. A good salesman would have sold me a car. I ain't easy but I can be had.
After all the running around I took a 1.5 mile walk. Nothing on TV so I caught up on my magazine reading. The book I am reading is getting interesting. Last night I read until midnight.
Ossineke, MI this date in 1938. It was a rainy Wednesday and GG drove to Spruce to attend the 50 anniversary of the local church. Mrs. Bellamore went with them. They got home at 1130.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Sunday October 25, 2009
Yes folks it is Sunday so the alarm goes off at 0656. Nancy and I are in the pool at 8 and we both swim 1500 yards. Meijers today was not crowded so we got our shopping done early. Nancy again fixed her world famous poached eggs on toast. I read several sections of the paper and then took a short nap. Are we predictable or what?
After my nap Nancy and I get in the Taurus and head for Horicks. I need to buy some bird seed. It is getting to be that time of year when the birds need some help. We also bought some special cheese. I fill up our new bird feeder and put it up in the back yard. I finished the afternoon with a three mile walk. The leaves are falling fast so many people were out in their yards raking leaves. It will be a week before Nancy and I have to rake any leaves. It looks like all the docks have been removed from around Rose's. This is a sure sign of winter.
Tonight we are having soup and sandwiches. An appropriate meal for a fall evening. I will finish the GRP and then will retire early so I can continue reading my book. It is really getting good.
Ossineke, MI this date in 1938. GG reported it was a clear, warm Tuesday. GG wrote he was going to Pete Bellinores about Lois going to Spruce (?). Drove to a farm for 1 bushel of apples. Delivered cabbage to Ed H.
After my nap Nancy and I get in the Taurus and head for Horicks. I need to buy some bird seed. It is getting to be that time of year when the birds need some help. We also bought some special cheese. I fill up our new bird feeder and put it up in the back yard. I finished the afternoon with a three mile walk. The leaves are falling fast so many people were out in their yards raking leaves. It will be a week before Nancy and I have to rake any leaves. It looks like all the docks have been removed from around Rose's. This is a sure sign of winter.
Tonight we are having soup and sandwiches. An appropriate meal for a fall evening. I will finish the GRP and then will retire early so I can continue reading my book. It is really getting good.
Ossineke, MI this date in 1938. GG reported it was a clear, warm Tuesday. GG wrote he was going to Pete Bellinores about Lois going to Spruce (?). Drove to a farm for 1 bushel of apples. Delivered cabbage to Ed H.
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