Friday October 19, 2018

Friday October 19, 2018

Blog time 1140 at Panera

Good Grief I slept in until 0700 again.  You would think I was an old man.

Temperature this morning was 43.  This is 15 degrees warmer than yesterday.  Cloudy but no rain until late this afternoon.

The forties are ideal for bike riding.  This morning I saw nature boy out running with no shirt.  I saw him yesterday when temps were in 20s.  What kind of statement is he trying to make besides STUPID.

Normal calisthenics and stretches at the Y before heading to Panera.  I got to Panera a little before 11 and the place was crowded.  I had trouble finding a table.  

This and that

Tonight is the last regular season high school football game for teams with less than 6 wins.  Teams with over six wins advance to the playoffs.  In the 50s the last game was the second Friday in November.  Like today all teams played nine regular season games.      I don’t like playoffs.

The regular NHL hockey season is in full swing.  Hockey should not start until Thanksgiving.

Boston is in the World Series and if the Dodgers win today they will be in also.  However, I am want the Brewers.  Do they still brew beer in Milwaukee?

The Centennial Building is a triangular building located at the intersection of 1st, Washington and Chisholm in Alpena.  As the name implies it was built in 1900. My boyhood home at 123 First is next door to the Centennial Building.  During my day the Odd Fellows lodge was located in the building.  I always told folks I grew up next to the Odd Fellows.  The three story brick building is under new owner ship and will be remodeled or torn down.

Kim was still cleaning when I got home.  So Nancy and I made a quick trip to Trader Joe’s.  Bought Shepard’s Pie for dinner, wine and spinach pie. 

Lunch and then I drove to Meijer’s to pick up a prescription.  Also stopped at Ace Hardware to buy a jar of metal polish.

For dinner I had the Shepard’s Pie.  Nancy finished yesterday’s chicken noodle soup.  After the dishes even though it was dark I took a walk.  I took a flashlight primarily to spot Goose poop.  

We watched an episode of Call the MidWifes.  Nancy turned in and I watched an Netflix show on the corruption in Brazil.

Thursday October 18, 2018

Thursday October 18, 2018

Blog time 1135 at Panera

It was 28 and clear when I first went out.  This is our first frost of the fall.  Frost is good because it kills all the bad bugs.

Nancy said she felt better this morning.  She said that she did not sleep well but promised me she will spend the morning reclining on the living room couch.

After breakfast, I put on my warm weather bike riding clothes and headed out into bright sun.  No wind so the 7 mile ride to the Y was pleasant.

Last night I tripped and fell down several basement stair.  Thought I might have some muscle damage but I did the normal routine with no pain.

This and that;

Alpena High won its first ever Boy’s Conference Cross Country title.  When I was in HS the only fall sport was football.  Cross Country is a great sport.

I can’t believe it, UBER is valued higher than General Motors, Ford and Chrysler combined.  Good Grief!

The alleged killing of the Saudi journalist is being heavily condemned in the US.  Sanctions are being proposed in Congress.  Should we also propose sanctions on Egypt and Turkey, two  nations with less than stellar reputation for civil rights.

Google refuses to work the for USA Defense Dept but jumps through all kinds of hoops to work in China.  Profits before Country.  Shame on Google!

Did not get home until after 1300.  I have been having problems getting up at a decent time when it is so dark.  Sunrise is now close to 0800.  Be glad when DST ends.  I have been running about an hour behind my Spring and Summer morning hours.  Makes for a short afternoon.

My first project after lunch was to raise my bike seat.  I told the Ada Bike folks last week to lower the seat.  I must have measured wrong because the seat was too low.  Searched through my tool boxes and found the tools to lower the seat.  Much easier than I expected.

After completing lowering the seat I started out on some errands.  I loaded my backup bike on the rack.  First stop was Macatawa to get money for Kim who cleans tomorrow.  Stopped at the Chow Hound and bought dry food for Ms P.  Final stop was Ada Bike.  My backup bike, the Bianchi, had a flat tire.  They fixed it while I waited.

While waiting I looked at Ada Bike’s cold weather gear.  Bike clothing is very expensive.  A pair of cold weather pants was $275.  I bought an almost identical pair at Mountain Warehouse for $60.  Same can be said for high visibility warm jackets.  I think hard core bike riders are very status conscious and willing to pay the high prices.

For dinner I had chicken noodle soup with a hot dog.  Nancy also had the soup.  After I did the dishes, took a walk and prepared the cheese snack.

We watched an episode of Endeavour before turning in.  

Wednesday October 17, 2018

Wednesday October 17, 2018

Blog time 1050 Thursday at Panera

Alarm goes off at 0615.  This morning Nancy is having foot surgery.  I did some reduced calisthenics before breakfast. At 0730 we head to the Walker Surgical Center.  Nancy’s was told to arrive at 0830.  Normally a 20 minute drive but we left earlier in anticipation of rush hour traffic.  Surprise! Traffic was light so we arrive 30 minutes early.

Nancy checks in and I settle down with my iPad and started ready the morning papers.  0830 the nurse takes Nancy to get her prepped.  Twenty minutes later I am escorted into the surgery waiting room.  We wait another 30 minutes before Nancy is rolled into surgery.

The surgery took 30 minutes.  Nancy was rolled into the recovery room given a coke before I was allowed in.  She looked great but was still mildly sedated.  We were given post operation instructions.  No wine or driving for 24 hours.  She must limit her time standing. The foot must be elevated when sitting or reclined.  Nancy is wearing an open toed sandal.  Next Monday the Doctor will exam the foot and hopefully will give her a clean bill of health with few restrictions.

At home Nancy spent the afternoon sleeping on the living room couch, with her foot elevated of course.  We did take an Apple break about 1500.

After lunch I started my Wednesday chores, laundry and trash.  I did make a quick trip to Ada Bike to pick up my bike.  Also stopped at D&W to buy a Mega Million and Powerball lottery ticket.  Who doesn’t want to be a millionaire.

Light dinner tonight and was glad Nancy’ appetite was normal.  She even had her evening cheese snack.

We had recorded this week’s NCIS and Bull.  We spent the evening watching these shows.  It was clear and cold at 2200.  Frost expected this evening.  

Tuesday October 16, 2018

Tuesday October 16, 2018

Blog time 1110 at Panera

The temperature was 38 with little wind this morning.  Bright sun predicted for today.

Nancy has a busy day.  First her swim and then lunch with friends and finally we are having dinner at Noto’s with neighbors.  

Grand daughter report;

Granddaughter Alessandra wanted some photos of me in my Navy uniform.  I went to the archives and texted several.  Big problem, it is difficult to find a photo without me smoking a cigarette.

Granddaughter Akerke gave a book report on “The Diary of a Wimpy Kid”.  Missy put the report on YouTube.  It was great.

Bundled up for my bike ride to the Y.  Today I took the 7 mile route.  Bright sun, little wind, colorful trees made for a great ride.

This and that;

It is sad to hear of the death of Paul Allen cofounder of Microsoft.  From my perspective Microsoft’s window revolutionized my industry.  They made it possible for small firms to be competitive with the large ones.

The Cherokee Nation said Senator Warren’s DNA test proves nothing.  My Granddaughter Akerke’s DNA show Native American heritage.

Alpena, Mi reported first snow of the year.

After lunch made quick trip to Meijer’s.  Bought Triscuits and a small pill holder that fits in my pocket.  

As mentioned earlier Nancy and I attended the monthly neighborhood dinner at Noto’s.  We left home at 1800.  I had a glass of wine and talked with several neighbors.  Because of tomorrow’s surgery Nancy did not have any wine.  

Most of the neighbors are retired.  They have the time to take some nice trips.  It is fun to hear about their travels.  Nancy has the travel itch so she was taking notes.  The food at Noto’s is always good and tonight was no exception.  

We got home at 2030.  Watched an episode of Jack Ryan before turning in.

Monday October 15, 2018

Monday October 15, 2018

Blog time 1120 at Panera

Mild rain when first went out this morning.  Temperature was  48.

Nancy put on warm jacket and headed to class at MVP.  She is also having lunch today with Kathi Kothe.

After breakfast I put on my rain pants and jacket and biked the short route to the Y.  It was a Costco morning.  My rain suit, pants and jacket were all purchased at Costco.

Normal Monday routine at the Y before heading to Panera.  This morning’s Alpena News had an article on the Great Metz Fire.  Today is the 110th Anniversary of the Fire.  Metz was a prosperous farming and logging community located north of Alpena.  Over 40 folk were killed in the fire.  It is the largest fire ever in NE MI.  The fire was a major news story not only in MI but nationally.  My Grandmother Hughes told me stories about the fire.

Just got an alert on my watch.  The rest of Oct will be drier and cooler.  Dry and cool is good.  We need a good frost to kill all the bugs.  In my youth I never imagined I would have a watch that would give me weather alerts, tell me the miles I walk or my heart rate.  Technology can be good.

The disappearance or killing of the Saudi reporter is not good.  Free speech should be the backbone of any legitimate government.  

After lunch I took my Bad Boy bike in to get the front disc brake fixed.  Also bought a super duper flashing pen light.  I will attach the light to my backpack.  Cannot be too careful when riding.

Spent about three hours this afternoon downstairs cleaning closets and putting all my causal clothes in crates.  I have about fifty items I will take to Goodwill.  I sorted my tees by type, Henley, crew, zip neck, mock tee, cold weather, etc and put them in labeled crates.  I now feel organized.

Every day Nancy and I share an apple, usually before dinner.  After dinner I fix Nancy a cheese snack she eats with her pill.  I usually take a walk after dinner but with the days getting shorter I will take the walk before dinner.

We had a light dinner.  After the news we watched two episodes of Scott & Bailey.  Temperatures will fall to mid 30s tonight.  

Sunday October 14, 2018

Sunday October 14, 2018

Weekend Update;  blog started Sunday at 2100, sitting in den

Saturday October 13, 2018, 

41 degrees and dark when we started our walk to Panera.  Bright sun came out while drinking coffee.  Pleasant walk home.

Nancy started laundry and I headed out for a bike ride.  My front disc brake was acting up so I stopped at Ada Bike.  They did a quick check and told a fix will require I bring it in next week.  Bummer!

This afternoon I removed the screen from our front door and replaced with glass.  Easier said than done.  It took me at least a hour to get the stupid glass retainer installed.  

For dinner we took a coupon and headed to Derby Station in EGR.  It has been a long time since we visited this restaurant.  I had the fish and chips and Nancy had their beef dip. The food was plentiful and good.  We gave it a B.

I was going to text Grandson Lucas and tell him to watch the Great Grandfather game,  Michigan State vs Penn State.  His GGF Scott went to MSU and GGF Patton attended PSU.  In fact GGF Patton played football at PSU.  Good game MSU won.

Also watched some of the UM vs UW game.  UM won.  Son Steve attended  UM undergrad and UW for grad school.  Steve met Veronica at UW.

Debbie FaceTimed this evening.  We got caught up.

Watched an episode of Endeavour before turning in.

Sunday October 14;

Alarm goes off at 0615, one hour and 40’ before sunrise.  We took our 1.5 mile walk around the block in complete darkness.  We both carried flashlights.  Temperature was 40 but we were dressed properly.

After breakfast I made quick trip to Panera for my morning coffee.  We left for Trinity Lutheran at 0845.  Church was crowded.

After we stopped at Meijer for supplies.  Gas was $2.84.

Back at home I did stretches and calisthenics before lunch.  Read a few sections of GRP before taking Sunday nap.

It was such a beautiful fall day that I took a short bike ride.  Stopped at the Y to put fresh workout clothes in my locker.  

Nancy fixed her world famous scrambled eggs for dinner.  I also had spinach pie and a croissant.  

Before settling down I prepared our apple and cheese snacks and took a walk.  Then finished reading the GRP and watched 60 Minutes.

The GRP has to be the worst newspaper serving medium size cities.  I get all my local news from TV. The only thing I really read are the funnies and obituaries.

The 60 Minute interview with POTUS was entertaining but not very informative.  After 60 Minutes we watched an episode of Tunnel.  

It was raining when took Ms P out for the last time.  Rain most of tonight and tomorrow morning.  

Friday October 12, 2018

Friday October 12, 2018

Blog time 1130 at Panera

Coldest morning this fall, 40, with light rain.  I got out my lined Mountain Warehouse walking pants I bought last year at the discount mall.  

Nancy headed out to a class at MVP.  She is busy this morning because she has a noon book club meeting.

I was running 30 minutes late so I took the easiest 7 mile bike route.  I encountered a very large deer on the trail.  I am assuming the poor critter had a fatal collision with a large vehicle.  Little wind so I was comfortable on my ride.

Calisthenics and stretches at the Y and then I hustled to Panera.  I was late and wanted to beat the early lunch crowd.  Sometimes at lunch it is hard to get a table.

This and that

What is wrong with parents.  Many parents are not their getting kids vaccinated.  This put all kids in jeopardy.  

Forget BRexit, the U.K. is going bananas over the wedding of Princess Eugenie.  I never heard of Eugenie.

Turkey finally releases the US Pastor they held for several years.  

Sears Roebuck is an American icon.  My grandparents looked forward to the delivery of their catalog.  My Aunt Helen had a nice home that was purchased from Sears.  Now the company is filing for bankruptcy protection.  Sad!

At home I emptied several large potted plants, a sure sign the growing season is over.  Another sign of Fall, folks are raking leaves.  Love this time of year.  I also made a quick trip to Staples.  Bought a printer cartridge and a storage crate.

For dinner Nancy fixed me a bowl of clam chowder.  She had a great lunch at Book Club so she only had a piece of toast for dinner.

We had all our snacks today, apple, cheese and crackers.  I took my short walk after dinner.  We both had some wine and then settled down to watch Vera on Acorn.  

We had the furnace on all day today.  68 during daylight hours and 62 at night.  Temps to reach the high 30s this evening.