Monday May 18, 2020

Monday May 18, 2020

Blog time 1130 sitting in office

It rained all night.  Nancy took Ms P out at 0600 and it was still raining.  Rain will continue all day.  Temperature was in mid 50s.  If we are lucky the temperature might reach 60 today.

Nancy said it was not raining hard so she headed out on a short walk.  It started to pour halfway through her walk.  She got soaked.  Her only comment was “from now on I will believe the weather app on my iPhone”.

First thing I did was head downstairs and complete my calisthenics.  Shaved and showered before driving to Panera to get coffee.

This morning we are expecting Jacobson Heating and Cooling to check out our AC unit.  The appointment window is between 0900 and 1100.  He arrived exactly at 0900.  Our AC is old but in good working order.  He observed all the safety precautions, mask and protective clothing.

I had a quick breakfast before heading down to the office.  Did my daily reading and finished yesterday’s blog.  I have now written over 3,600 blogs.  A great cure for insomnia.

The Coronavirus still dominates the news although we are seeing a lot of political ads on TV.  China is also getting a lot of press.  China’s retaliatory actions against Australia because they like many other countries want an investigation into China’s early reporting on the Coronavirus epidemic.  The tariffs they imposed is a major case of bullying.  Other Democratic countries should take notice.

Today I had an early lunch because this afternoon I have an appointment with my Optometrist.  The Doctor’s office has strict procedures for any visitation.  

After I parked in their structure I phoned the office and said I was outside.  They gave me the go-ahead to visit.  A nurse met me just outside the door to the office.  She took my temperature and said I could enter.  I was required to wear my mask.  

Short wait in their waiting room.  I was the only one in this area.  No magazines for reading.  Bummer.

Dr Anderson gave me a through examine.  Bottom line, everything is ok.  Made an appointment for May 20, 2021.

At home I put on my raincoat and took a 2 mile walk.  No nap today but I did fix our apple snack.

We had a light dinner, Cheerios with strawberries and English muffins.  After I fixed Nancy her cheese/cracker/pill snack.

After watching the news and Jeopardy we switched to the den.  We watched two episodes of a new series on Prime.  The show is called Thorne.  DI Thorne is chasing a serial killer.  We both liked it.

Sunday May 17, 2020

Sunday May 17, 2020

Blog time 1700 sitting in office.

We all slept in today.  Nancy did take Ms P out at 0630.  She asked me to check when the rain would start and I said 0700.  I was right the rain started exactly at 0700.  

I did make a quick trip to Panera to get coffee.  I was balancing the coffee as I was opening our front door.  Yes, I spilled the coffee.  Not a great way to start the day.

It has rained all day.  We stayed inside all day.  This will be an easy blog.

The temperature was in the 50s all day.  Despite the relatively mild temps the house was cold.  Turned the heat up to 72.

This morning we watched the 8th virtual Trinity Lutheran Church service.  The church is still having problems solving their technical issues.  However, the Homily went well.

For the rest of the morning I read the GRP from cover to cover and many news stories on Apple News.  Last week I spent 4.5 hours a day on my iPad.

Lunch at 1300 followed by a short nap.  After the nap I fixed our apple snack.

When in my office I always put on a CD.  My current favorite’s list:

Best of “Old Crow Medicine Show”

Music from “O Brother Where Art Thou”

Merle Haggard 16 Biggest Hits.

Burl Ives sings “20 Gospel Favorites”

Johnny Cash’s “Super Hits”

Moya Fraser’s “Scottish Nickelodeon”

Woody Guthrie’s Greatest Songs

John Prine “The Best of John Prine”

Jimmy Buffett’s “Songs You Know By Heart”

The Kingston Trio

Hank Williams “The Ultimate Collection”

I am sure my selection of music reflects my small town “Solid Peasant Stock” upbringings.

For dinner Nancy fixed her world famous scrambled eggs.  I had mine with bacon and an English muffin.

After 60 Minutes was over we switched to Apple TV and watched an episode of “Murder City” on Prime.  It was still raining when took Ms P out at 2200.

Debbie and Missy contacted us today.  We gave a positive report.

Saturday May 16, 2020

Saturday May 16, 2020

Blog time 1500 sitting in office.

I slept in until 0700.  Nancy had already been out.  She was getting ready for her 3+mile walk.  Bright sun and temps in 50s.  Perfect day for a walk or bike ride.

I dressed and had breakfast.  I then headed to Panera and got coffee for the two of us.

Sat in living room drinking coffee, checking email and reading the Alpena News.  Very relaxing.

When Nancy got home she talked about the big deer that ran across the road right in front of her.  She also saw several brilliant red cardinals.

I left home for a long bike ride at 1030.  Today for the first time this year I wore my knickers.  Also set a distance record for the year.  I rode 14 miles.  Great feeling.  The trails were loaded with walkers and bikers.  

However, I passed several ball fields that in past years were very crowded on a Spring Saturday morning with families watching their kid’s ball games.  This year the fields were empty.  It has to take a toll on youngsters.

Shaved and showered before doing chores.  Emptied trash, hung up suet, etc and then lunch.  

No nap today but I did sit in my easy chair and watched the final episode of Season 2 of Bordertown.  I think I will put a trip to Scandinavia on bucket list.

Fixed our apple snack and then took a short walk.  For dinner we visited Culver’s.  Nancy got a hot fudge sundae.  I got a cod sandwich and a frozen custard.  Sat in living ate dinner and watched the news.

Tonight we watched a movie on Prime.  It starred Matt Damon and Danny DeVito and was based on a John Grisham novel.  We both gave it an A-.

Speaking of grades tonight when talking to Debbie the conversation got to our most difficult classes in College.  Nancy said it was Trig and Debbie had trouble with a economic’s class.  My most difficult class was called “Advanced Theory of Statically Indeterminate Structures”.  I did much better the second time.

Friday May 15, 2020

Friday May 15, 2020

Blog time 1340 sitting in living room.

Both Nancy and I had a tough night.  Nancy’s foot was bothering her and I just had trouble sleeping.  I slept in until 0700.  

It rained hard most of the evening.  It was still sprinkling this morning.  The good news: temperature in mid60s.  

Today Kim is coming to clean.  Hooray!  I did my calisthenics first thing. Showered and then a quick breakfast.

Kim arrived at 0930.  We pointed out some areas that need special attention.

Nancy and I left home at 0945.  Stopped at Panera for coffee and a bagel.  Parked in front of Panera using their internet so we could read our email.

This morning we drove to Greenville.  A very pleasant drive.  It did sprinkled off and on.  Total time in car 2 hours.

On our way home we stopped in Ada at Forest Hills Foods.  Purchased coleslaw, mini naan, and salmon for dinner tonight.  I like this store but Nancy said it was pricey.

Spent some time in office reading and writing blog before heading upstairs for lunch. Quick lunch and then put on biking clothes.  Today I took an 8.8 mile ride, got home at 1600.  I got warm so I needed another shower.  

I took a short nap.  After fixed our apple snack.  For dinner tonight Nancy prepared the salmon we purchase this morning.  Very tasty.

After the dishes and fixing Nancy’s cheese/cracker/pill snack I took a short walk.  Watched the news and Jeopardy.  It was Friday so I enjoyed the Brooks and Shields give and take on PBS. 

Nancy was very tired so she headed to bed at 2000.  I stayed up and watched episode 8 of Bordertown.  I thought this was the last episode for Season 2 but no there are two more.  Stayed up and watched episode 9.  Will finish tomorrow.

Debbie and Missy called tonight to check up on there elderly parents.  We informed them that things are going well.

It was mid 50s when took Ms P out at 2200.  Finally we are getting warm spring temperatures.

Thursday May 14, 2020

Thursday May 14, 2020

Blog time 1300 sitting in office

It started raining after midnight and rained all night.  Got up at 0630 and checked my weather app.  We have a break in the rain until 0800.

Nancy and I hustled to get our walk and bike ride in before the rain.  We both left home at 0700.  

I took my short 8 mile route.  Today I did encounter a possum crossing the road.  The temperature was in mid 40s so the ride was pleasant.

Got home from the ride at 0800.  Nancy finished her walk several minutes after me.   Nancy walked 3 miles and I rode 8 miles both in 60 minutes.  According to our exercise apps Nancy burned 60 more calories than I did.   I think in order to be equivalent the bike ride must be 3 times longer than the walk, 3 mile walk vs 9 mile ride.

Heavy rain started at 0815.  We just made it.

I did my calisthenics before shaving and showering.  Had a late breakfast, 1000.  After I headed downstairs to the office.

This and that;

Why am I always suspicious of whistle blowers.

Nancy has been busy during our stay at home.  She has cleaned closets, drawers and this morning she spent several hours wrapping coins.

Unless it is an emergency I would not ride on an airplane unless the middle seat was empty.

With the days getting warmer traffic seems to be heavier.

The President and Speaker Pelosi seem to be in a constant battle.  Very tiring.

Investors from the USA have put in, by far, the largest amount of money into a French drug company working on a vaccine for the Coronavirus.  Because of their contributions Americans will be first in line.  French President Macron disagrees.

I took a nap this afternoon.  After the nap fixed our apple snack.

For dinner had sweet sour pork chops with rice.  All cooked in crock pot.    Very good.

After the news we watched an episode of Endeavor.  It was raining when took Ms P out at 2200.  It will rain all night and most of the morning.  Good news, we need the rain and temps will be in 50s all night.  Temp will reach 70 tomorrow.

Debbie and Missy called this evening checking up on the old folks.  We gave a positive report.

  

Wednesday May 13, 2020

Wednesday May 13, 2020

Blog time 1000 sitting in office.

Nancy reported that we had frost on the ground this morning.  I got up at 0630 and my weather app said 30 degrees.  Good news, this is our last day of 30 degree temps until fall.  

This is Wednesday my easy day.  No bike ride until the temperature reaches 50.  I did do my calisthenics at 50% before breakfast.

This morning Nancy is having a video conference with her foot doctor at 0900.  I stood by to help her if she needed it.  She did not.

The Video link was poor.  However, the Doctor did phone her and it looks like Nancy is on the list for surgery.  

If Doctors are so smart how come they cannot get video conferencing to work smoothly.  Our GP’s system is also very buggy.

It is now 1030 and Nancy is on her morning walk.  It is sunny with temperature in low 50s.

Today is the 13th so I must buy a lottery ticket.  I tried online with no luck.

Spent time in office finishing yesterday’s blog and reading emails and papers.  At 1130 I decided it was warm enough to take my bike ride.

Today’s ride was 10.5 miles via my normal warm weather route.  Encountered no critters.  No deer or turkeys.

At home a quick shower before lunch.  Lunch and then headed out on some errands.

Stopped at Macatawa Bank and used the ATM to get money for Kim who cleans Friday.  We are in dire need of a good cleaning.

The car wash was on Old 28th Street was open so I got the car washed.

Filled up the Escape at D&W’s station.

Stopped at D&W to buy lottery ticket.  I always buy a ticket on the 13th.  I still remember in 1956 I won a Jeep in a raffle with ticket #13.

This and that:

The Telegraph had some spectacular photos of locust swarms in Africa.  The locust are devastating agriculture.  Famine is possible.  Almost Biblical!

EU countries and the UK have long been devastated by the Coronavirus.  Now, Turkey and Russia are beginning to feel its impact.  

Most folks are very good about wearing masks when shopping.  The only people I have noticed without masks are women in their late 30s.  I don’t know why?

Families staying at home would have a big problem if their internet goes down!  In fact, so would Bob and Nancy.

I really miss going to the Y and Panera.  Nancy and I also miss going out to eat.

French President Macron does not want a US Company to develop a Coronavirus vaccination.  Why?

The Democrats have a trillion dollar recovery plan they want passed.  I hope they don’t plan on bailing out underfunded local Government pension plans.  Fiscal conservatives should take a jaundiced view of this “let them eat cake” plan.

This afternoon I did find time for a nap followed by our apple snack.  Light dinner tonight.  Watched the news and Jeopardy before watching a New Zealand crime show.

Debbie and Missy FaceTimed tonight.  We all gave positive reports.

Took Ms P out at 2200.  No rain but later tonight heavy rain will roll through.  Rain most of tomorrow.

Tuesday May 12, 2020

Tuesday May 12, 2020

Blog time 1040 sitting in office.

Set my alarm for 0600.  Nancy beat me up and had already taken Ms P out.  It was cold 32 but sunny.

Today we are heading to Senior Day at Meijer’s.  The hours between 0700 and 0900 are reserved for us old folks.

We arrived at 0700.  Put on our masks and gloves and spent an hour shopping.

After Meijer’s we stopped at Panera for coffee.  Nancy wanted a few items at Aldi’s so I drove her.  I waited outside while Nancy made her purchases.

At home headed to office.  Read the Alpena News, email and finished yesterday’s blog before reading some headlines.  At 1100 I took an exercise break.  Did my calisthenics and at 1200 headed out on a 7.5 mile bike ride.

Shaved and showered before lunch.  Immediately after lunch I took a short nap followed by some time in the office reading.  Finished the afternoon with a short walk.

Nancy continued her 3.5 mile walk routine.  Today she only took 1 walk.  I think 3.5 miles is enough.  Nancy has been very disciplined since we started sheltering in place.

I had chili for dinner tonight.  Also an English muffin with peanut butter.  After dinner fixed Nancy her cheese/cracker/pill snack.  I had an oatmeal cookie.  I am hooked on Voortman’s sugar free oatmeal cookies.  It is my preferred snack.

We watched the news, Jeopardy and NCIS.  Nancy headed to bed and I stayed up and watched an episode of Bordertown on Netflix.  

Took Ms P out at 2200 and the temperature was beginning to drop.  Freeze warnings up for tonight. Tonight will be the last night until fall with temps in 30s.  About time!

Debbie and Missy FaceTimed us tonight.  We gave a positive report.