Monday June 18, 2018

Monday June 18, 2018; three days before the summer solstice

Blog time 1130 at Panera

This morning was the warmest of the year.  It was 81 and humid when I first went out.  The heat wave will end today.  Thunder showers later this afternoon.

Nancy headed to MVP.  After breakfast, toast with peanut butter, I headed to the Y.  Because of road construction I had to take the hilly route to the Y.  I was drenched in sweat when I arrived.  The Y has some great summer classes for kids.  They were playing tennis, kick ball, basketball and taking swimming lessons.  Healthy activities for the kids.

This and that from Apple News;

It looks like cooler heads will prevail in Congress.  A bill to prevent separation of immigrant children from parents might pass.  It should pass.

Happy time in Mexico after defeat of Germany in World Cup.

Apple News had a good explanation of “Block Chains”.

Germany’s Merkel is in trouble over her liberal immigration policy.  Trump is in trouble over his strict immigration policy.  Go figure!

A major library in Portugal has many old and valuable books.  The library is home to many bats, yes bats.  The bats serve an important function by eating bugs that destroy old books.  Being nocturnal they do not disturb visitors.

The temp and humidity were both near 90 when I headed home.  Showered, had lunch and then Nancy and I headed to Costco for supplies.  We purchased Cheerios, peanut butter, fiber and eye drops.  

At 1530 I headed to Dr. Sprik’s Office.  The Doc has been handling my sinus infection problems.  Actually my sinus problem is confined to my left side.  It is complicated by my past shingles infection in my left eye which caused nerve damaged to my forehead.  Because of this damage I have no warning of an impending infection.  We discussed my options and decided on the do nothing option for now.  I agreed.

I highly recommend for all folks who have had chicken pox to get a shingles shot.  Shingles won’t kill you but can make your life miserable.

I found time for a nap.  Light dinner tonight.  It was raining after dinner but I decided I needed a walk.  Put on the raincoat and walked a mile.

We had our cheese and apple snack before watching TV.  Watched an episode of Goliath and then Kimmy Schmidt.  Nancy headed to bed and I watched Bordertown.  It was raining when I went to bed.  Cooler weather ahead.

Sunday June 17, 2018

Weekend Update for week ending Sunday June 17, 2018

Blog time 1530 Sunday sitting in office with AC running.

We have gone many summers where the temperature has not once reached 90 degrees.  Both Saturday and Sunday of this weekend the temp has reached 90.  I think we have had about 7 above 90 days so far this summer.  Global warming?

Saturday June 16:  I set the alarm for 0600 because this morning I have to be at Trinity Lutheran at 0830 for a work bee.  The church is being remodeled so furniture has to be move to accommodate this work.

Nancy’s foot pain continued last night. She chose to stay home for breakfast.  I drove to Panera.  I was the first customer at 0620.  Ordered my usual oatmeal breakfast.  Panera was uncomfortable because they had the AC on full blast.  I froze.  I did have time to finish Friday’s blog.

Arrived at Trinity at 0830 and already about 14 volunteers had arrived.  I had more coffee and a bagel.  Lutherans like to eat before and after work.  It is a Northern European thing.

The work bee was suppose to be from 9 to 12.  We started at 0900.  Our main job was to empty several rooms of their furniture and move it to a huge storage pod outside.  The younger men moved the heavy desks and cabinets while us older folks moved chairs and boxes of office supplies.  It started to rain hard but with the heat the rain felt good.  We started at 0900 and were done by 1030.  As the saying goes “many hands make light work”.

Headed straight home.  Nancy was just finishing the laundry.  Not much laundry in this warm weather, no socks and only one outer layer vs three in colder weather. 

I spent some time on my ipad reading and checking accounts.  Also watched Iceland tie Argentina and Denmark beat Peru in World Cup play.  

The warm weather and rain kept me inside most of the day.  I did take a mile walk so I could continue my 30 minutes outside streak.  Showered and took a short nap to finish the afternoon.

At 1730 we headed to Red’s restaurant located at the Thousand Oaks Golf Course.  We met the Horlings for dinner and drinks.  Nancy had a chicken sandwich, Hal had the sea bass and Karen and I had the fried perch.  We both loved the perch.  We all gave the restaurant an A.  A very pleasant summer’s evening.

At home Debbie FaceTimed us and we got caught up on what was happening in San Jose.  No TV tonight.

Sunday June 17, 2018

The alarm went off at 0615, we dressed, hooked up Ms P and took a pleasant walk around the block.  It was sunny and a warm 71, great conditions for a nice walk.  We encountered no vehicles on our walk.  

Nancy showered while I did my stretches and some mild calisthenics before my shower.  At 0840 we headed to Trinity Lutheran for their 0915 Celebration service.  Once again the church was packed.  I think the informal Celebration service is more popular than the traditional service in the Sanctuary for young families and us old folks.

After church we headed to Meijer’s for gas and supplies.  Gas was $3.07 today.  Nancy bought a lot of supplies today.  We are stocking up for Missy and AJ’s visit and also for Brenna who will house sit while we are in Gaylord and later California.

At home I took a short walk before lunch.  Read several sections in the GRP and then had lunch followed by a short nap.  Finished the afternoon working in the office.  I wrote my annual checks to the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation and the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation.  

Nancy is fixing me a chicken sandwich and spinach pie for dinner.  If it cools off I will take a walk.  The chicken sandwich was great as was the spinach pie.  After the dishes I did take a walk. I mailed my contributions to JDRF and MG.  

Today is Father’s Day and all three of our kids FaceTimed me today.  I alway enjoy face time with the kids.

We watched and episode of Inspector Lewis and The Heart Guy before turning in.  It had cooled off enough so I turned off the AC.  The heat and humidity continues through tomorrow.  In fact it was significantly warmer in GR today than in CA.  A rare event indeed!

Friday June 15, 2018

Friday June 15, 2015

Blog time 1130 at Panera

Yes folks another nice sunny and warm day.  It was 56 when I first got up but now it is 76 and will get to 86 later.  Love this weather!  

Nancy headed out to a class at MVP and later she will have lunch at Rose’s with a friend.  Yesterday Nancy attended a lecture at Aquinas College on the History of the Ottawa Hills Neighborhood.  She met a lot of old neighbors who were in attendance.  She said the lecture was very interesting.

Because of construction I took a different route to the Y.  Same distance but with hills.  

While parking my bike at the Y I noted a young man taking his two sons to one of the Y’s camps.  It was Brad Verker a high school classmate of son, Stephen.  Brad was also on OHHS’s hockey team with Steve.  He now owns a small accounting firm in GR.  Both Brad and Steve will be 45 this year.  It is trite; but time does fly.

I did not get home until 1230 and Kim was just finishing cleaning.  Nancy was having lunch with a friend at Rose’s.

I hope the GOP comes to its senses and passes a decent immigration bill.  Most folks are against separating families.  The country needs immigrants.  Jobs go unfilled because of lack of workers.

This and that:

With the U.K. leaving the EU the French PM  is suggesting that English be dropped as the language of the EU.  Of course he suggest that French be the preferred language.

The University of Chicago will no longer use SAT or ACT scores for new applicants.  In my era we did not take any test for college admission.  The most important factors were your grades and a recommendation from you HS principal.

PONTUS has put new tariffs on more Chinese goods.  I don’t know if this is a good idea.  I am a free trader.

After lunch I got on my bike and headed to Meijer’s to pick up a prescription.  The temp was in the mid 80s and it was very humid.  Needless to say I did not extend the bike trip.

Finished the afternoon with a nap.  For dinner Nancy fixed waffles and poached eggs.  Great meal.

After the dishes I took my evening walk around the block.  Fixed Nancy her cheese snack and I had an apple before settling down.

We watched the first episode of season two of Goliath.  The star is Billy Bob Thornton.  The jury is still out on season 2.

Nancy headed to bed.  I watched another episode of Bordertown.

The heat will continue.  Busy day tomorrow.  I will spent the morning working at Trinity Lutheran and Nancy will attend the OHNA’s Annual Garden Tour with her friend Kathi (update; Nancy’s foot is bothering her so she might forgo the Garden Tour).  We are having dinner with the Horling’s Saturday evening at Red’s.

Thursday June 14, 2018

Thursday June 14, 2018

Blog time 1050 at Panera

Another bright sunny day.  Early morning temp was 59 but will climb to mid 80 later.  Nancy headed out for her Thursday swim at MVP.  After breakfast I biked to the Y.  No wildlife spotted on today’s ride.

Today is Flag Day it commemorates the adoption of the flag of the USA by congress on June 14, 1777.  Today is also National Bourbon Day and the birthday of President Trump.

Did you know the Double-crested Cormorant is becoming a threat to the fish population in the Great Lakes?  A US House committee had a meeting in Alpena to get info on this problem.  Have you seen a Cormorant lately?

Election and other news:

California voters will get chance to vote on splitting the state into three states.  This will never pass?

Maine has a weird method for voting in primaries.  You rank each candidate.  So if four candidates are running you assign a number 1-4 to each candidate.  What is wrong with “he with the most votes wins”.

A recent study has shown that Antarctica is losing ice at a greater rate than originally predicted.

Being a politician in Mexico is not for the faint hearted.  Over 100 pols have been shot this year.

At home I showered and had a quick lunch.  The company that will install my bike rack on the Escape has a first come first serve policy.  They said mid afternoon was best time.  So I headed to “Hitches by George” and was told that they were booked up for the afternoon.  I will try again early Monday.

On way home I stopped and got the Escape washed.  Also stopped at Bill and Paul’s and purchased a pair of pants.  I like the light weight synthetic fabric khaki pants.  The are water and stain resistant.  Great for travel.

Why a pair of pants?  Just looked up why we say a pair of pants when they are only one item.  I Googled this question and got an answer.  

The temp was in the 80s when I got home.  At this temperature my downstairs office is the most comfortable place in the condo.  I spent several hours writing emails, paying bills and updating my computers.  

Nancy has Book Club tonight, so I am meeting Tom Moleski at Uccellos.  Left home at 1630.  First time I have seen Uccellos so empty.  Tom had a pizza and I had spaghetti with meat sauce.  I have never had bad food at Uccellos.

Got home at 1830 and took a walk around the block.  Tonight we watched Call the MidWifes and a 30’ comedy on Netflix.  Nancy headed to bed and I watched Bordertown.

Wednesday June 13, 2018

Wednesday June 13, 2018

Blog time 1000 at Panera.

Today is my easy Wednesday.  I did some light exercises at home and then biked to Panera for an oatmeal breakfast.  Sunny and warm today.  Temp will reach low 80s.

After breakfast I will take a short ride.  I might stop at Meijer’s and buy a lottery ticket.  I always buy a ticket on the 13th.  I won a Jeep in a drawing with number 13.

Nancy works at the Gardens this afternoon.  She is dropping Ms P at the groomer at 1100 and I will pick her up at 1400.

Panera is busy I noted several business meetings and seven women are having a Book Club meeting.  It is a popular meeting place.

After breakfast I headed to Ada Bike via Ada Drive.  I was going to buy some padded bike short liners but no luck.  I did have the mechanic change my bike pedals.  I have experimented with several different styles but now I am back to original.  Total bike miles today is 15.

Showered, quick lunch and then started doing laundry and being Wednesday take out trash and recyclables.  At 1330 I headed to the groomer to pick up Ms P.  Quick stop at Meijer’s for a lottery ticket but the line was too long.  

The groomer did a good job on Ms P.  She has her short summer cut.

At home finished chores and then a quick nap.  Nancy got home at 1700 and asked me to fill up the Taurus.  I complied.  Gas was $2.95 and I put 15 gallons in, a new record.  Stopped at D&W on way home and bought a lottery ticket.

We had a light dinner.  I took a walk around the block before settling down.  Tonight we watched episode 1 of season 8 of Inspector Lewis.  Big surprise this season the show is only 45 minutes.  Previous the show was twice as long, 90’.  

Nancy headed to bed and I watched another episode of Bordertown.  I like this show.  The sunny and warm weather continues tomorrow.

Tuesday June 12, 2018

Tuesday June 12, 2018

Blog time 1150 sitting at Panera

On these long days both Nancy and I are up by 0630.  I think it is the bright sun and singing birds.  Nancy headed out for her Tuesday swim and after breakfast I biked to the Y via my 7.7 mile route.  

The noise level in the Y has increased since summer camp has started.  I think at least 100 kids are enrolled.  They have broken the group into about 6 classes with two instructors in each class.  They seem to be having fun.

What % of folks under 30 have a tattoo? I bet at least 65%.

I have commented in the past about the number of tall young men and women I see.  I wonder what is the statistical average size of this generation?  I know that for my generation I am a statistical average male.  145 pounds, 5’8”, size 9 shoe and 40 suit.

POTUS should take note of Mr Rogers three rules, be kind, be kind, be kind.  Good rules to live by.

The CEO of Twitter was blasted because he bought a chicken sandwich at Chick-Fil-A.  The owner of this restaurant is a religious man who believes marriage is between and man and women.  They are even closed on Sundays.  Who are these folks who want to tell us where to eat?  What happened to freedom of speech and religion.  I think I will stop for a sandwich tomorrow.

Nancy worked in the Courtyard yesterday pruning several shrubs.  I helped fill a yard waste bag and put it at the curb.  The small courtyard is ours to do what we want.  It looks nice because all the flowers Nancy planted are in bloom.

Spent some time in the office reading mail and updating the computer.  I did find time for a nap.

We took Ms P on the nature walk yesterday.  I took a walk around the block after dinner.

Nancy cooked in the crockpot a pork, lemon, onion meal with rice.  It was very good.

This evening we watched a rerun of NCIS.  After Nancy headed to bed and I watched another episode of Border Town.

The temp was still in the 70s when I headed to bed.  90s later this week.

Monday June 11, 2018

Monday June 11, 2018

Blog time 1111 at Panera;

Woke up this morning to bright sun.  The temp might reach 80 today.  GR will have 15h18’ of daylight today but Edinburgh, Scotland will have 17h31’.   Of course the temp in Edinburgh will not reach 70 this week.

Took Ms P out but we had to suspend her activities because the sprinklers went off.  We should probably ask the lawn people to change the start time.

Nancy headed to MVP for her healthy lifestyle class.  She also has a Doctor’s appointment for this afternoon.  

Pumped up the bike tires and headed out on my summer route to the Y.  At several normally busy intersections traffic was light.  I assume it is because schools are closed.

Once again we see another example of uncivil actions by folks who should know better.  Robert DeNero comment at last night’s Tony awards to “Fuck Trump” was so out of line.  Luckily only the studio audience heard the comment.  CBS TV was able to delete the comment before it went live.

Headed home at 1230.  The temperature had risen to high 70s.  Both my front and rear bike lights were out so I removed them and put them on the charger.

Nancy’ doctor appointment went well.  I showered, had lunch and then headed to Fox Ford to get my oil changed.  The wait was projected to be 2 hours.  I told them to proceed.  I brought my iPad.

Singapore is in the news because of the meeting between POTUS and the North Korean leader.  I have visited Singapore twice.  The first time was in July 1964.  In 1964 Singapore and Malaysia were one country.  It wasn’t until 1965 that it became an independent country.  In 64, I was in the Navy stationed in Vietnam.  I had about two months left in my tour.  I decided that before I go home I should see more of Asia.  Singapore was not part of the military’s R&R locations.  I had to pay my own way.  I flew Air France.  I immediately liked Singapore because it was clean and modern.  I had several suits made at a local tailor.  The highlight of my trip was to take the train from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur.  It was a great trip traveling through green jungles dotted with small villages along the way.  I remember going to a movie, Tom Jones, Malaysian dialogue with English subtitles.  I took the sleeper train back to Singapore.  I traveled first class so I had my own room.  In the morning I was given tea and crumpets.  Great time.

Second time in Singapore was when Debbie was working for Intel.  She had business in Singapore so we met her there.  Singapore had grown significantly since 1964 but still very modern and clean.  Nancy and I took the subway to a Chinese lantern festival.  It was at the end of the line but we felt very safe.  We also visited the zoo and several botanical gardens. I bought Nancy a “Singapore Sling” at the Raffles Hotel.

It took two hours to get the oil changed.  However, I did get a lot of reading in.

I finished the afternoon with a nap.  We had a simple dinner.  Dishes and then I walked around the block.  We watched the “Indian Detective” on Netflix.  After Nancy headed to bed and I watched an episode of Border Town. I noted that you cannot multi-task when reading subtitles.