August 31, 2020

 Monday August 31, 2020

Blog time 1220 at Panera

I was up at 0630 this morning.  Nancy headed out on a 2 mile walk.

Calisthenics at 75% and then breakfast.  It was sunny but cool, mid 50s, for my ride.  A lot of folks out walking and biking this morning.

Our TV weather people say that today is the last day of meteorological summer.  Sad.

At home quick shower before biking to Panera.

Panera has still not returned to pre Coronavirus levels.  Only about 30%.  Has to be tough on a business.

This and that;

I keep getting notices from My Heritage of long lost cousins.  The majority are 3rd-5th cousins.  Most live in the USA, Canada, U.K. and Ireland.  Yesterday one lived in Norway.  Glad I had my DNA test.  I get more hits via My Heritage than either Ancestry or 23 & me.  Yes folks I had three test done.

I have been reading great reviews about Schitt’s Creek.  Sunday night Nancy and I watched two episodes.  It must be generational because Nancy and I thought it was terrible.  I generously gave it a D-.

What motivates the rioters in Portland.  You would think the folks would run out of gas.  The Mayor has done a poor job protecting his city.  

Our President has done a terrible job being a uniter.

Yesterday we had a census worker stop by.  They wanted info on our next door neighbor.  We have not seen them in several weeks.  I think their permanent residence might be in Florida.

I was pleasantly surprised that our names were on the Census Bureaus data base.  I completed the census form on line several months ago.  The census worker had our data on her handheld.  Impressive.

This mornings Alpena News had an article on the Census in NE MI. In the four county area only about 40% have been counted.  Very difficult in poor rural areas to contact folks.  Many areas are without internet.  The area will suffer financially if undercounted.

At home lunch and then started some errands;

First stop was Kent County CU.  I emptied my money market.  I need to purchase a car so I am withdrawing from the CUs.  I also stopped at Lake Michigan CU and made a withdrawal.

Stopped at our regular bank and made a deposit.

Purchased gas at Meijer’s.  Gas was $2.09. In the main store I bought yogurt, sugar free cookies, vanilla and chocolate pudding cups and mini naan.  My snack food while one my soft food regime.

At home I paid our third tax installment.  Walked to Post Box to mail taxes.

I had oatmeal for dinner tonight.  Tonight we watched an episode of The Trial followed by Wycliffe.  It was very humid when checked outside at 2200.  Looked for the super moon but too cloudy.

August 30, 2020

 Sunday August 30, 2020

Blog time 1130 on Monday August 31, 2020 at Panera

I should make a rule that if I cannot finish a blog within 24 hours I should forget it.  

Sunday morning I was up at 0700.  I dressed and then drove to Panera to get our coffees.  

Breakfast, read some of the GRP before setting up for this morning’s 25th streaming of the service at Trinity Lutheran.  We really miss attending live church service.  

I have two nice light weight Sport Coats that I usually wear to Church or a concert.  I have not worn them this summer.

Nancy’s ankle is slowly healing.  Today she took a mile walk.

After church I went on a 10.75 mile bike ride.  The only critters I saw were geese.  Thousand of geese.

Showered and then had a late lunch.  This afternoon I took a short nap.  Lately afternoon naps are continually being interrupted by robo calls from politicians.

Speaking of phones I heard where fourth graders were given an rotary phone and asked to make a call.  They failed.

In my youth before even rotary phones, you would pick up the receiver and wait for an operator to answer.  She would ask for the number you wanted and then she would connect you.  Most of the phone operators were women.

Making a long distance call was difficult.  Once a month my Grandmother Hughes would call my Uncle Fred in Philadelphia. She would place her call with the local operator and then wait.  As I recall it took about an hour to make the connection in Philadelphia.

Politics, social unrest and Coronavirus dominates the news.  I think the networks are beginning to get a backlash about biased reporting.  CBS has been advertising that they just report and you decide.  

Nancy talked with all our kids today.  Of course the first item we talk about is health.  

We are glad that Debbie has pulled through her bout with the Coronavirus. She has the antibodies.  She still has some lingering fatigue.  

Missy and Stephen are dealing with the start of school.  It is complicated.  Nancy said she was glad she was not teaching.

Late this afternoon I took a 1.25 mile walk.  For dinner Nancy fixed her world famous scrambled eggs.  I had mine with soft bread and spinach pie.

We watched an episode of The Trial.  Nancy headed to bed and I stayed up and watched the Finnish cop show Deadwind.  I fell asleep as soon as it started and woke up a two hours later.

It was cool, 58, when I check the yard.

August 29, 2020

Saturday August 29, 2020

Blog time 1500 sitting in office.

Once again heavy showers rolled through last night.  Woke up at 0700 and the rain had stopped.  It was a cool 68.

Nancy’s ankle still has not healed fully so no walk to Panera this morning.  We drove.  Sat inside to drink our coffee and for me to eat my oatmeal and croissant.  The place was empty.

After Panera we drove to Trader Joe’s.  We had to stand in line before they would let us in.  There were five folks in front of us and we had to wait 10 minutes before we were allowed in.

Today was Bob’s day at Trader Joe’s.  Our goal was to get some frozen dinners that would comply with my soft food diet.  Not as easy as it sounds.

At home Nancy started the laundry.  I headed out on an 11 mile bike ride.   I continue to sing the praises of the weather this summer.  Sun and decent temps all summer. Today was no exception.

This being Saturday I shaved both my face and head before showering.  Lunch and then started my daily reading routine. Took a break to get in a 1/2 mile walk.

At 1700 we drove to Brann’s for dinner.  It had warmed up enough for us to sit outside. We first ordered drinks, a frozen margarita for Nancy and I had a glass of wine.    For dinner I had a bowl of chili and Nancy a Mi chicken/cherry salad.  

To satisfy our sweet tooth we drove to Culver’s.  Nancy had a hot fudge sundae and I had a cup of vanilla frozen custard.

At home we watched an episode of The Case on Acorn.  Talked to Debbie and Missy tonight.  

Nice and cool when I checked outside at 2200.  Weather man tonight said no more 90 degree days this year.  

Brann’s for dinner and watched THE CASE ON ACORN.

Friday August 28, 2020

 Friday August 28, 2020

Blog time 1630 sitting in office

I got up with the sun today, 0700.  It was very hot and humid outside.  Rain on and off for most of the day. 

Last night we had some major thunder showers roll through.  Weather folks say we had over an inch of rain.  Nancy slept through all the fireworks.

Today I have a 1020 appointment with the Oral Surgeon.  No bike ride today.

Calisthenics, shower before breakfast.  Before breakfast I made a quick run to Panera to get a coffee and croissant.   I had my breakfast of oatmeal with yogurt, banana, a croissant and coffee.

Left home at 1000 for the Oral Surgeons.  He checked me over and reminded me I have to remain on the soft diet for at least another month.  I told him I finished Nancy’s chicken sandwich last night.  He told me that was an absolute no-no.

I thought the teeth installed on the 19th were permanent.  They are not.  They are made of plastic.  My permanent are made of a super material which will allow me to eat an apple and other solid foods.  The reason they did not put the permanent teeth in on the 19th was they wanted my gums to heal.  I was given a water pick to use after brushing.  No need to floss when I use the pick.

Kim was cleaning when I got home so Nancy and I took a ride.  First stop Walmart to get our flu shot.  Our insurance covered all costs.

Next stop was Woodland Mall.  Nancy stopped by the Apple Store to get help paying her monthly Apple Card bill.  She was given a phone number to call.

We walked around the Mall and noted a lot of store closures. The stores that were open had an employee at the entrance to check you in.  A lot of added expense to stores that want to remain open.

Kim was just finishing up when we got home.  I took a short walk before lunch.  It was 3/4 miles.

After lunch spent afternoon checking email, reading news and cleaning up my in basket.  No nap today.

This and that:

No HS football this fall.  Tonight would have been the opening game.  Sad!

The Political conventions are over.  Now for the next 9 weeks we will be inundated with political ads.  It is not going to be nice.

We did not watch the GOP convention.  In fact I try any avoid any TV political news.  We have stopped watching the news on PBS.  It is not news.  

The Governor’s office has hinted that maybe she will allow sports clubs to open next week.  Nancy is looking forward to resuming swimming.  

I like the World News section of the WSJ.  I read it every day.

Before dinner I took my second walk.  It was 1.25 miles.  According to my app my average speed was 27’19” per mile.  Now that is certified slow.

For dinner tonight Nancy fixed her world famous scrambled eggs.  I had mine with spinach pie.

Debbie and Missy called last night.  Debbie helped Nancy pay her Apple Card bill.  It was easy.  Debbie told us she was checked this week for Coronavirus.  The test indicated that she had Coronavirus in late February and March.  Her body has the antibodies and we all hope that will provide her some immunity.

Missy and AJ are dealing with the confusing start to the school year.  Some issues with electronic communications between student and teachers are still not resolved.

Nancy headed to bed at 2130.  I stayed up and watched Finnish cop show, Deadwind, on Netflix.

It was raining when I went out to check the front yard.  The temp was in mid 70.  Cool front moves in tonight. 

August 27, 2020

Thursday August 27, 2020

Blog time 1600 sitting in office

Happy Birthday Nancy.  Nancy Patton Scott was born on this date in Terre Haute, IN.  I met Nancy when she was teaching school in Flint, Mi.  We have been married 55 wonderful years.  Nancy is the light of my life.

Sunrise today was at 0700 the same time I woke up.  It will be hot and very humid all day today.  

Today I continued to increase the intensity of my calisthenics.  I will be back to normal next week.

After calisthenics I had a quick breakfast.  Today I completed my normal 10.5 mile bike ride with little problem.  

Shaved and showered before heading to Panera to get coffee and a croissant.  Panera’s system picked up that today was Nancy’s birthday and she was awarded a free pastry.  I took her home a blueberry scone.

About 1030 I moved my iPad to the deck.  The temperature was already in the 80s but I found a shady spot to read.  Started reading Alpena News and emails before finishing yesterday’s blog.  I moved inside about noon because my shady spot was now in the sun.

At 1300 I drove Nancy to her friend Kathi Kothe’ house.  Kathi is getting ready to sell her house and Nancy is helping her.  Later this afternoon I will pick up some takeout food from Rose’s and we will have an early dinner at Kathi’s.

On way home I stopped at Meijer’s to purchase yogurt, naan bread, vanilla and chocolate putting, ensure and a bottle of wine.  Meijer’s was very crowded.

Quick lunch and then returned to reading today’s news and more back issues of Fortune.  No nap today.

Nancy called me at 1600 and said she had ordered take out from Rose’s and it would be ready at 1645.  Left home at 1630 to make the pickup.

We sat on Kathi’s screened in porch and had a very pleasant dinner.  Kathi fixed us a nice summer drink.  

We got home from Kathi’s at 1930.  We watched a new show on Acorn tonight.  It was not very good which is why I cannot remember the name.  Nancy headed to bed about 1930 and I stayed up and watched a Finnish Cops show on Netflix.  It was good.

Debbie and Missy FaceTimed Nancy tonight to wish her a happy birthday.  Nancy was grateful.

Still very hot and humid when I made my final check outside.  Rain expected tonight and all day tomorrow.

August 26, 2020

Wednesday August 26, 2020

Blog time 1700 sitting in living room with AC on.

The alarm goes off at 0615.  Today is Breakfast Club so I have to get some calisthenics done and have breakfast before BC starts at 0730.

Nancy was just getting up when she called me to look out the window.  In our backyard were the two spotted fawns and their mother.  We have not seen the mother in some time and I had assumed she had been hit by a car.  Great to see her.  They all looked healthy.

Did not have time to get a coffee but Nancy drove to Panera and got me one.  Today’s speaker was the retired Athletic Director of GVSU.  He talked about the impact of the Coronavirus on college sports.  It was a great talk.  Two things I took away from the talk.

1.  The folks running the NCAA and major conferences especially the Big Ten and PAC 10 are listening to facts before making their decisions.  The Speaker supported the cancellation of college football.

2. The folks running TV and radio sports shows are just babbling without facts.  I happen to agree. 

After BC took an easy 9.5 mile bike ride.  Sunny and hot but I was taking it easy so hardly worked up sweat.  The only critters I saw on the ride were large flocks of geese.  The geese have crowded out the wild turkeys.  Powers that be must start a control program to reduce flock.

Blog resumes on Thursday August 27 at 1230. Today I am using my Apple laptop.  I like the iPads word processor better than the laptops.  

After Wednesday' ride I took a shower and then started Wednesday chores.  Laundry, trash etc.  

Nancy is working at the Gardens today.  She was glad to be called in.  She left at 1230.

Lunch and then continued chores.  We have been having problems with our washer.  Nancy noted black spots on the whites.  I ran the cleaning cycle and it seemed to work.  The whites today came out clean.

Today I continued reading back issues of Fortune.  Stopped at the July 2020 issue.  One more day reading Fortune.  My next job will be to read back issues of Time.

Found time to take a short nap.  The temperature in the house was 80 at 1600 so I turned on AC.  

For dinner tonight Nancy fixed Tomato soup.  It tasted great.  Long time since I had tomato soup.  Also spinach, pineapple and a croissant.

Watched some news before switching to Apple TV.  Tonight we watched an episode of Midsomer Murder.

Debbie and Missy Facetimed us this evening.  It was warmer in GR than CA.  We told the girls that Mom and Dad were doing fine.   Every day in every way we are getting better and better.

It was 79 when made my 2200 check outside.  Left the AC on until midnight.  Heat continues tomorrow. 

 

 

August 25, 2020

Tuesday August 25, 2020

Blog time 1230 sitting on deck

Woke up at 0500.  Emptied dish washer and took morning pills.  Back to bed and finally got up at 0730.

Hooray! for this first time in almost a week I felt like exercising.  Did the calisthenics at 50%.  Breakfast and then took a short 7.8 mile bike ride.  I chose a route with few hills.  Felt good.

Showered and shaved as soon I got home.  Dressed and intended to bike to Panera to get coffee and read.   However, it being already warm, 78, I knew Panera would have their AC cranked up.  I don’t like AC.  Parked my bike and drove to Panera.  Bought a coffee and croissant.  Brought it home and sat on deck.  Our deck is very pleasant in the morning.

It is now 1240 and it just started to rain.  No problem because I am sitting under the deck’s overhang.

Had lunch and then started catching up on back issues of Fortune Magazine.  Today I finished all 2019 issues and will try and to be caught up tomorrow.  

I did run some errands this afternoon.  Thursday is Nancy’s birthday so I bought her present.  Stopped Ford Dealer to look at 2020 Ford Focus AWD sedans.  Look good.  

At Macatawa Bank I got money for Kim who cleans on Friday and checked to see how much I have in my accounts.  Not enough for a Focus.

Final stop was D&W Gas station to fill up the Escape.  Gas was $2.07.

Last night Nancy fixed me the last of the Salmon purchased last Saturday.  Also mashed potatoes and spinach pie.  It was very  good.  

Watched some news tonight before switching to Apple TV.  Tonight we watched an Acorn show staring Colin Firth.  It think it is call The Moors, kind of gloomy.  Also watched Wycliffe.  

Missy FaceTimed us this evening.  Everything ok.

This and that;

Tonight was 2nd night of the GOP convention.  Did not watch.

Like everyone in the USA I watched the clip of the shooting in Kenosha.  At first glance I thought the Police were guilty of gross incompetence.  It just looked like a major lack of training.

It was in high 70s when made my 2200 inspection of our yard.  Tomorrow and Thursday the temps will reach 90 before a cool front moves in.