Wednesday October 31, 2012

I had to get up early this morning because I have breakfast club. It was pitch black on my ride downtown. Today's speaker was from the GR Public Museum. The City of GR no longer funds the Museum so they have to find other sources of funds. A three county millage has been proposed but no decision has been made. It was a very interesting presentation. I happen to think that museums and parks all enhance quality of life. I always support public taxes to support these facilities. After BC I stopped at the Kava House and read the WSJ. Almost the entire issue was about Sandy and its aftermath. It is a major problem. "The best laid plans of mice and men are often screwed by Mother Nature. When I got home Nancy was on her way to see the Doctor about blood pressure medication. After we walked around the block I put Ms P in the C2 and headed to Rylee's. I punched a small hole in my office wall so I wanted to purchase a fixture that would cover the hole but could also serve as a hanger. I got the right stuff and it only cost $0.79. Eat your heart out Home Depot. Nancy got home about 1200 and she had some prescriptions sent to Costco. The Doctor also prescribed some stomach medicine for me to take on our trip to SE Asia. Nancy is working at the Gardens and Ms P and I are heading to Costco. Today is Halloween my least favorite holiday. Last year we had bus loads of kids and adults knocking at our door. We quit counting at 300. Tonight we are turning our lights out and not participating. The Dental folks will thank us. I just got back from a 2 mile walk ( had to get my 30' in). It has been raining all day and the rain and wind have taken about 80% of the leaves off the trees.

Tuesday October 30, 2012

It was cold and windy last night. It was raining hard at 0500 when I took Ms P out. She saw the rain and immediately went inside. I was going to drive to the MAC today because of the rain. However, when I went outside it appeared the rain had stopped. I got on my bike and headed to the MAC. I made great time because the wind was at my back. Today was my tri day. It was lightly raining when I left the MAC so I ended up at Breton Village. Today's papers were loaded with stories about Sandy. I got wet on my ride home from Breton Village. The first thing I did was to put my outerwear into the dryer. I had a quick lunch and then checked some mail before taking a short nap. Nancy is fixing pork chops with stuffing for dinner, yum. I am going to take Ms P around the block and then continue reading the Sanborn family book. Did you know the first Sanborn came to the North America in 1632. They sailed from South Hampton, England, March 9, 1632 aboard the "William Francis" and landed in Boston on June 3, 1632. Nancy had a 1700 meeting with a vendor so I ate dinner alone. I watched the news and read the GRP. We watched the NCIS shows and I tried to stay awake for Vegas but failed.

Monday October 29, 2012

It was real cold when I took Ms P out at 0530, 33⁰. I went back to bed and did not get up until 0720. I really put on the layers for my ride to the MAC. It worked because I did not get cold. The WSJ had several articles on Asia and Europe that I found interesting. They love to report on the ruling elite in China and I like to read about it. Since I have already voted I do not read the political articles. After lunch I took Ms P around the block. Ms P must know it is hunting season because she chases every rabbit and squirrel she sees. I spent part of the afternoon calling doctors. The biopsy I had done on my hand showed skin cancer so I made an appointment to have more skin removed. Nancy had the same problem so she will go in Dec 4 and I will go in December 5. I called our GP, Dr Kutsche, about the cost of my annual physical. In the past Medicare has paid most of the cost. I was told that Medicare no longer covers annuals. Can I thank ObamaCare? I also called Carol Smith about our cell phones. Scott Civil pays for both Nancy's and my phone. I am thinking of getting a iphone. Carol said that an arrangement can be made to add an iphone. I would pay the difference in cost. I also called the company that put a paint sealer on the C2. I have a Friday appointment to get the sealer renewed. My last task for the afternoon was to drive to D&W and get some coffee filters. Tonight we will have a light dinner and then watch some TV. I hope to read the GRP on-line before dinner. I checked my facebook and saw a picture of AJ making sand angels at the beach. I called Missy and she said they were at a Mexican beach just south of the border. They went with a friend last weekend.

Sunday October 28, 2012

Saturday morning was very cold with temperatures in the high 30s. I put on some long underwear the I bought at Costco for my ride to Bill's. Like on Wednesday I had the super breakfast instead of healthy oatmeal. After Breakfast I rode around Reeds Lake. When I got home I got out the rake and started raking leaves. I filled about 6 GR yard bags. It was a beautiful fall day. Nancy also spent some time trimming back flowers. Ms P really likes the cooler weather. After the yard work was complete we got in the Taurus and headed to Costco. I bought some more long underwear and we also got peanut butter, mouthwash and sandwich rolls. Just a note that every once in a while Costco has some super bargains on clothing. The recent stocking of winter underwear is a good example. I took Ms P around the block and then watched some football on TV. Nancy fixed black bean soup with turkey sandwiches for dinner. We took our 1 mile walk and then I settled in to watch the UM/Nebraska football game. It was disappointing. Sunday morning and all the alarms went off at 0655. We got up and headed to the MAC for our morning swim. I swam 1500 yards. After the MAC we headed to Meijer's. Gas at Meijer's was $3.51. I took two bags of bottles back for the refund. Five of the six machines were down so it took nearly 30 minutes to do something that usually takes 5. Nancy fixed her world famous poached eggs for breakfast. I did take my afternoon nap. After the nap I put on the storm doors for the side and rear entrances. I emptied the bird feeder and stored the top until spring. I also took Ms P around the block. Speaking of Ms P yesterday we went to the Chow Hound to get some dry dog food. The clerk suggested that we upgrade her dry food to a high protein chicken based food. This food has no grain. This morning I put out the new food. Nancy also fixed her wet meal with a hidden pill mixed in. Ms P ate the dry food but not the wet. Usually it is the other way around. I did watch several minutes of 4th quarter of the Lion's game. Tonight Nancy is fixing soup and hot dogs for dinner. We will take our walk and then finish reading the GRP and watch some TV before going to bed.

Friday October 26, 2012

The weather folks were right. It got cold last night, 42⁰ at 0700. I really layered up for my bike ride. Today for the first time since we have been back from CA I did all my exercises at 100%. It was dark and gloomy on my ride to the MAC but when I left the MAC the sun was out full force. The WSJ had an article on how the Iranians are funding aid projects in Afghanistan, especially in communities near their border with Afghanistan. Our smart folks in Washington are spending billions on a nation that really does not like us and when we leave in 2014 all our effort in dollars and lives will have been wasted. Will we ever learn? Michigan voters are voting on a referendum that if passed would stop construction of an International bridge between MI and Ontario. The Canadians desperately want the bridge. In fact Canada is funding the bridge and has paid Michigan's share. The Governor, all business groups and construction unions are for the bridge. The Feds will allow Michigan's share, paid by Canada, to be used for local match on all Federal Highway projects. That means that Cities and Counties will be able to fund highway and bridge projects. This is a windfall of almost a billion dollars worth of construction. A lot of false advertising has been run opposing the bridge. The ads were paid for by the owner of the Ambassador Bridge. He has a monopoly and does not want any competition. I think I have ranted on this issue before so I will say no more. After I quick lunch I walked Ms P around the block and then took a short nap. Tonight Nancy and I are going to the GR Symphony. The Moleski's gave us tickets. We are taking the Moleskis out for dinner at the Bull's Head in downtown GR. We had great seats at the concert. Surprise! Surprise! I liked the concert. We were home by 2230.

Thursday October 25, 2012

The wind really started blowing last night. Today is suppose to be our last hot day, 78⁰ tonight, the temperature is suppose to drop to 45⁰ and it might snow this weekend. Today is another tri day and I did not leave the MAC until 1130. It was noon when I got to the Kava House. I got home at 1400. After a quick lunch I took Ms P around the block. The strong wind is blowing all the leaves off the trees. It is kind of nice walking through all the fallen leaves. I have been looking for a pair of open toe walking sandals for Nancy. I finally found a good pair at Gazelles. Nancy tried them on and said they will do the trick. Tonight we are going to Great Lakes Shipping for dinner. It has been three weeks since we have visited GRS. After dinner we will take our walk and Nancy will start breaking in her shoes. I checked through my records and found several letters I wrote Mother from the Civil Engineer's Officer School in Port Hueneme, Ca. On 15 October 1961 I wrote Mom telling her how hot it was in CA. I had been to the beach and got a first class sunburn. I was kind of goofing off at the school and my grades kind of reflected it. We had a large number of Naval Academy (southern Maryland small boat and repair school) graduates in the class. They all had the rank of LTjg while us OCS graduates were just lowly Ensigns. I then told Mom that on Friday the 13th, yes Friday the 13th, I got my orders to Midway Island. I told Mom I wanted to go to a CB battalion but no billets were open. I told her to locate Midway draw a line between SF and Tokyo and Midway was halfway between. The Island was 1.5 miles long and 0.75 miles wide. On an upbeat note I said the tour was for only 12 months. I send my mother a short letter on 16 October 1961 along with a check for $230. I told Mom to keep $50 and to put the rest in my savings account. I asked Mom if Dad and Penny had shot any partridge. I signed off by saying I was on my way to the gym. The navy base had great recreational facilities. October 22, 1961. Another week of school and I told Mom that I was not setting the top of the curve. The Navy had filled all my cavities and next week I was getting a pair of Navy issue glasses. I bought a transistor radio at the Navy exchange. It cost $16. I asked Mom since I would not be home for Christmas if she wanted any of the many items offered at the Navy Exchange (free of all taxes) for a present. I also asked about Dad and Helen. Next week I was getting all my shots needed for overseas.

Wednesday October 24, 2012

Wednesday and it is my easy day. Nancy took Ms P out at 0530 while I stayed in bed. When I got up at 0700 it was pitch black outside. We need to change to regular time soon. I left shortly after 0800 and I needed to use by bike lights. I was going to have healthy oatmeal for breakfast but when I got to Bill's I was so hungry I ordered the super special, eggs, potatoes, sausage and toast. It was great. Today's WSJ had quite a few good articles. In fact it took me 90 minutes to read the WSJ. The problems with the US economy are scary. They had several stories on the military shakeup in China. I do not know why I have such an interest in China. I read every article I can find. The DFP was all about the Tigers and today's big game. I had to be careful when riding my bike because last night's rain made all the leaves on the road very slippery. After breakfast I rode around Reeds Lake. I then got in the C2 and ran some errands. I am trying to find some good quality open toed walking sandals for Nancy. We will be doing a lot of walking on our Vietnam trip. I found a pair and tomorrow I will take Nancy to see if they will fit. Today was a great Indian Summer day. The temperature reached 77 and the sun was out most of the day. In fact it was such a great day I loaded up the kayak and paddled around Reeds Lake. The lake with very quiet with only two fishermen on the lake. All the docks are out so I could get close to shore to get a good view of all the great homes around the lake. The water must still be warm because dozens of turtles were sunning themselves. When I got home I got my growler and headed to Harmony to get it filled. Tonight we grabbed Ms P and delivered some OHNA flyers. It seemed like all the neighbors were out blowing leaves. Tonight we will watch some of the Tiger game before heading to bed. Tomorrow is going to be our last Indian Summer day. Friday the high temperature is predicted to be 48⁰. I got my 30 in today did you? I hope everyone follows my Grandfather Scott's advice. GF Scott said that every day you have to work up a good barn yard sweat.