Thursday March 21, 2019

Thursday March 21, 2019

Blog time 1130 at Panera

Up at 0615.  Took Ms P out.  The temperature was 35 and the snow was slowly melting.  Heavy fog over the area.

Nancy decided that today she would go swimming.  I made her promise she would only swim 50% of her normal distance.

After breakfast I decided to take my winter bike because of  snow and ice in shady spots.  Winter just won’t let go.

Thursday so the Y was not busy.  Calisthenics and a six minute row.  Showered and then headed to Panera.

Like the Y, Panera was not crowded.  Folks must spend March in warmer climes.  Good idea.

This and that:

Boeing had several safety features for the 737 Max but they were not on the Indonesia or Ethiopia planes that crashed.  They cost extra so were not included.  Good grief if it is a safety feature it should be standard!

The Kentucky Governor intentionally exposed his nine kids to Chicken Pox.  They all got the disease.  Dumb, dumb!  He better tell his children when they become adults to get a shingles shot.  I had both chicken pox and shingles.  Shingles is miserable.  I still have problems from the shingles.

The Daily Telegraph had a recent photo of a new born lamb in England.  The thing that got me was all the green grass and flowers.  England is over 500 miles north of GR.   Let’s hope Climate Change does not screw up the warming Gulf Stream.

China’s Muslim area, Urumqi, is being demolished.  The Chinese government won’t tolerate the Muslim religion.  They also have put reins on Christian religions.  This policy will eventually backfire.  You cannot deny freedom.

The USA should be proud of its Freedom of Religion policy.

Good news, cooler heads are prevailing.  The US Chamber of Commerce is backing a Federal Gas Tax.

Did not get home until 1300.  The bike ride is adding time to my morning activities.  

Lunch and then I head downstairs to the office.  Spend some time on the family tree.  Also finished reading the morning papers.

I ended the afternoon with a nap followed by our apple snack.  At 1600 Nancy and I headed downtown.  We are having dinner with niece Jennifer Finnegan.  Jennifer is staying at the downtown Holiday Inn. She is attending a conference.

Picked up Jennifer at the Hotel and walked to the BOB.  We had dinner in one of the BOB’s restaurants, the Bobarino.  Food was good and we had a pleasant time.  Jennifer gave us an update on fixing up her farmhouse in Johannesburg and this summer’s Wedding.  A very pleasant evening.

At home watched some College BB and an episode of Manhunt of Acorn.  Nancy headed to bed and I watched Hunted on Amazon.

  

Wednesday March 20, 2019

Wednesday March 20, 2019

Blog time 1000 at Panera

Up at 0615.  It was 34 degrees when Ms P and I went out.  Noted a big bright full moon.

The Vernal Equinox occurs today at 1758.  In a perfect world we should have 12h of both daylight and night.  In GR today we have 12 hours and 10 minutes of daylight.  Close enough.  

Nancy is still under the weather so no MVP.  This afternoon, however, she will work at the Gardens.  This evening we will attend our class at Trinity Lutheran on Searching for the Historical Jesus.

Today is my easy Wednesday.  Mild calisthenics this morning and then headed out to Panera for an oatmeal breakfast.  Today for first time this year I rode my Bad Boy Cannondale bike.  It just had a tune up so riding it was a joy.

At Panera I had an oatmeal breakfast.  As a boy my Grandmother would make me oatmeal every morning.  She always told me oatmeal was the standard breakfast for all little Scottish boys.  Grandmother Hughes’ father, Dr James McTavish, was from Campbeltown, Scotland.  She was proud of her Scottish heritage.  It was during WW II and sugar was rationed so Grandmother would not let me put sugar on the oatmeal.  She put a tiny bit on.  I wanted much more.  Now I put a lot of sweetener on.

I took the scenic five mile route home.  Stopped at the bank to get money for Kim who cleans on Friday.  It started to snow just as I got home.

Nancy headed to her shift at Meijer’s.  I had a quick lunch and then started my Wednesday chores:

Did two loads of laundry.

Took out trash and recyclables.

Paid several bills.

Took a short nap.

It snowed all afternoon.  When Nancy got home at 1700 the grassed areas were white even though the temp had never got below 32.  Nancy said the Gardens had over 1,000 visitors.  They came to see the butterflies.

We had an early light dinner.  At 1830 we headed to Trinity Lutheran.  Each week we seem to pick a few more folks for the class.  This week’s lecture was about the Roman control of Jesus’s homeland during his life.  Very interesting.

Got home near 2100.  Nancy headed to bed and I watched Hunted.

Tuesday March 19, 2019

Tuesday March 19, 2019

Blog time 1210 at Panera

I woke up at 0645 this morning.  Nancy had already taken Ms P out.  She said it was 25 with a super bright moon.

Nancy is still under the weather.  No swim today.

I had a quick breakfast and at 0820 headed out into bright sun for my bike ride to the Y.  Today I took my five mile route.  The route was 100% ice free so tomorrow I will ride my Bad Boy.

When I left the Y it was 20 degrees warmer.  Panera was empty.  I finished yesterday’s blog and read the headlines before heading home.

After lunch I started errands:

First stop was the Breton Village Car wash.  Not an original idea, large waiting line. 

2nd stop was Orvis.  I bought a khaki bush shirt with many pockets.

Final stop was Costco.  Bought cheese, wine, Cheerios, mini naan bread.

At home I took a nap.  Forgot to prepare an apple snack this afternoon.  Bummer!

Nancy fixed a pot roast in her insta pot for dinner.  Also had potatoes and peas.

This evening after the cheese and pill snack and Jeopardy we watched an episode of Call the MidWifes.  Nancy headed to bed and I watched another episode of Hunted.

Monday March 18, 2019

Monday March 18, 2019

Blog time 1110 at Panera

Took Ms P out at 0630 it was a cold 21 but the stars were out nice and bright.  I assumed a sunny day is ahead.

Nancy is a little under the weather this morning so I convinced her to stay in bed.  

We have a busy day ahead.  At 1330 we meet with representatives of Porter Hills Retirement Community.  At 1900 we are attending an adults only showing of the Butterfly exhibit at Meijer’s Garden.

After breakfast I put on my warm bike clothes and headed to the Y in bright sun.  My hands and nose got cold on the 3 mile trip to the Y.  

Calisthenics, walk and 6 minute row before shower.  I don’t know why but my weight has flatlined.  I have been sneaking frozen yogurt into my diet.  I like Costco’s frozen yogurt.  This departure from my sugar free diet has not changed my weight.

The sun has some warmth.  The temperature is now 37 or 16 degrees warmer than 4 hours ago.

This and that:

Boeing being the 500# gorilla in the room has been muscling FAA safety inspectors for years.  I have always said bigness is bad.  

President Trump’s recent comment on John McCain are way out of line.  Can’t he just be civil?

I keep getting info on how to fill out my NCAA BB bracket.  I really don’t care.

Can’t the medical field make up its mind.  Now eggs are bad and so is a low dose daily aspirin.  I will continue eating at least one egg a day.  Love eggs.

Because of our 1330 meeting I cut short my reading and headed home.  Quick lunch and then at 1300 Nancy and I headed to Porter Hills retirement community.

The sales pitch by the Porter Hills rep was identical to the Clark at Keller Lake spiel.  Both facilities are nearly identical including costs.  

We were given a tour of a two bedroom apartment.  Both Nancy and I were impressed with the apartment and the frills that came with it.  I have come 180 degrees on my opinion of a retirement community.  I like it.

Nancy is thinking of moving into a retirement community in two or three years.  I say why not six months?

At home I:

Took a short nap.

Fixed our apple snack.

Checked our financial status.

We had a light dinner before heading to Meijer Gardens.  It was a members only affair.  Snacks and desserts were provided.  We toured the Butterfly exhibit.  The butterflies were very active.  Some very colorful species.

We left at 2015 and it was still light.  At home we watched an episode of the new Martin Clunes show on Acorn.  It is called Manhunt.  We both liked it.

Debbie FaceTimed us this evening.  She wanted to check on some family history of high cholesterol.  I had high cholesterol but since I lost over 20 pounds it returned to normal.  My Dad always bragged about his low cholesterol.  I don’t think my Grandparents ever had a cholesterol test.  In fact I think my first check was about 20 years ago.  Nancy has no data on her family.  

Sunday March 17, 2019

Sunday March 17, 2019

HAPPY ST PATRICK’S DAY, 2019

Today is also the birthday of my Great Grandfather James Lee Sanborn.  GGF Sanborn was born on this date in 1856.  He died on Nov 29, 1938.  One of my most cherished possessions is GGF Sanborn’s diary for 1938.  I quote his entries often in this blog.

In my calendar today is the official end of hockey season and the start of Spring.  To reinforce this I saw my first Robin today.

Nancy took Ms P out at 0600.  The temp was 23 with no wind so we decided that we would walk around the block.

Bundled up and walked the 1.25 miles.  Pleasant walk.  We did see one other walker.  With the new DST it was dark the entire walk.  

A sure sign Big Brother is watching.  Got in the Taurus this morning and my watch beeped telling me it was an 11 minute drive to Trinity Lutheran.  How did it know? Scary!

I expected more folks at church this morning.  Pastor Bob gave a great Homily dealing with the recent hate crimes in New Zealand.  Love conquers all!

Short trip to Meijer’s after church.  Gas today was $2.64.

Got home at 1115.  Too early for lunch so I took a 1.2 mile walk.

Lunch and then I finished yesterday’s blog.  

Took a short nap.  

After the nap I fixed our apple snack.

Checked finances and paid bills.  

Walked to mail box to post bills.  

Although the temp was 38 a light snow was coming down.  It just won’t let up.

Nancy is fixing her world famous scrambled eggs for dinner.  I will also have a spinach pie and Irish Soda Bread.  

Almost finished with the soda bread.  The bakeries in GR only make it for two weeks before St Patrick’s Day. 

Tonight we watched 60 Minutes followed by an episode of Secret City.  Secret City is filmed in Australia.  I always thought that most of Australia’s landscape was like the Outback.  In this show the landscape is lush and the climate is mild.

Nancy headed to bed and I watched an episode of Hunted on Prime.  The temperature tonight will plunge to low 20s. 

Saturday March 16, 2019

Saturday March 16, 2019

Blog time 1045 at Cascade Library

Nancy took Ms P out early this morning 0545.  I slept in until 0645.  Checked the temperature and it was 28 with 18 mph wind.  Wind chill 20.  Decided it was too cold to walk to Panera.

We got to Panera at 0745 and it was empty.  I had my standard breakfast except I swapped milk for coffee.  One of the regular couples at Panera gave us a pamphlet on a river cruise in northern Portugal.  Nancy had mentioned last week that the river cruise in Portugal was on our bucket list.

At home Nancy started the laundry and I finished yesterday’s blog.  At 0930 we drove to the Cascade Library so Nancy could renew her membership in the “Friends of the Library” group.

At home I put on my warm jacket and walked back to the Cascade Library.  The Library was having a book sale so it was crowded.

Walked home into the wind.  The cold winds are beginning to get to me.

This afternoon

Completed calisthenics.

Showered and then lunch.

Took a short nap.

Fixed apple snack.

At 1700 we headed downtown.

Tonight we are attending the GR Symphony concert.

For dinner we ate at Uccelo’s.  The place was jammed.  Mostly young folks celebrating St Patrick’s Day.  Nancy and I thought we were the oldest folks but then several friends of Nancy’s arrived.  They also were attending the Symphony.

Nancy and I split a 12” ham and pineapple pizza.  It was very good but we left several pieces.  Five years ago I would have eaten the whole pizza.  I am finally coming to grips with the fact that my body is aging. 

We attended the pre concert lecture.  We thought the lecturer was poorly prepared.  Maybe he thought we all knew about the Russian composers, Rachmaninov and Shostakovich.  I sure didn’t.

Full house at the concert.  The pianist who played the Rachmaninov piece got several standing ovations.  Nancy thought he was great.

We did not leave the Symphony until 2230.  Headed straight to bed as soon as we got home.

How about the UM and MSU teams.  Tomorrow it will be an all Michigan final.

Friday March 15, 2019

Friday March 15, 2019

Blog time 1130 at Panera

Nancy took Ms P out at 0600.  The temperature was 38 with mist.

I slept in until 0630.  Should I bike or drive today.  I stepped out at 0700 and it was raining.  No brainer! today I drive.

The warm weather has melted most of the snow.  A cold front is moving in so we might get snow this evening.

Beware of the “Ides of March” is something I remember from Latin class.  Every March 15 I recall Ms Lee, our Latin teacher, telling us of Julius Caesar’s assignation on this date in 44 BC.  Some things from school we never forget.

Noted a number of college age students at the Y so I assume they were on Spring break.  Water aerobics for old folks and spinning are very popular Y classes.  Did my normal exercise routine before heading to Panera.

At Panera I continued with my no coffee routine.  I substituted milk.  It appears to be working because my sour stomach has disappeared.  Maybe I can resume coffee drinking next week?  I sure hope so. I love my morning coffee.

The New Zealand Mosque shooting is dominating the news.  In Michigan the Governor’s proposed $ 0.45 gas tax has many folks up in arms.  I hope the politicians settle on at least a $ 0.25 hike.  The highways need more money. 

At home had lunch and then finished reading the papers.  Nancy has Book Club today and as soon as she get home about 1400 we plan on going to the Tanger’s Outlet Mall.

When Nancy got home I asked if she still wanted to go to the Mall.  She said “not really”.  That was ok with me because the weather was still nasty.  I took a nap.

After the nap took a 1.5 mile walk and fixed our apple snack.  We had chicken noodle soup for dinner.

Prepared Nancy her cheese and pills snack, did the dishes and watched news on PBS.  After the news we watched an episode of Hunted on Prime followed by Secret City on Netflix.  We were in bed by 2200.

We have had light snow this evening.  The temp will drop to mid 20s tonight.