November 2, 2020

 November 2, 2020

Blog time 1430 sitting in office

This morning I was up at 0615.  Sunrise today at 0718.  It was in the mid 20s but with little wind.  The wind will increase this afternoon to 25 mph.

Nancy headed out first thing for a swim at MVP.  First time in over at week.  Later she has PT at 1130.

First thing I took my MG pills with a class of water containing MiraLax.  It took awhile but the MiraLax is finally doing its job just like the Doctor said.  

I dress and head to Panera.  Got 2 coffees and a croissant.  

At home I had my oatmeal breakfast.  Sat up my iPad in the living room and did some reading.  At 0900 Randy Heibel our handy man arrived.  Today Randy fixed the light in our cedar closet and readjusted Nancy’s hot and cold water faucet.  

After Randy left I got in the Fusion and drove to Cabella’s. It was great riding in the car listening to the radio.  One of my simple pleasures while convalescing.

Today I bought a monocular.  It is small and light.  I will carry in my backpack and use it when I want a close up of any critters.

When I was in the Navy and stationed overseas one of the things I missed most was just getting in a car and riding for miles.  The freedom of the open road.

Arrived home at 1300.  Quick lunch and then headed downstairs to start this blog and do some more reading.

This afternoon I took another long nap.  For dinner we had our standard cheerios meal with cottage cheese.  

Nothing on the news tonight but the elections.  Tonight we watched Mystery Road on Acorn.  I like this show.  New episodes every Monday.  Nancy headed to bed and I watched Babylon Berlin.

Missy and Debbie FaceTimed this evening.  They are as tired as we are of the elections.

It was mild when checked the front yard at 2200.  Tomorrow the temp will reach 60.  Indian Summer?

November 1, 2020

November 1, 2020

Blog time 1300, EST, sitting in office

 Today we were up at 0600 EST.  Quickly dressed and drove to Meijer’s.  The store was empty so were were able to make our purchases and get out in a reasonable time.

Stopped at Panera’s Drive Thru for coffee and a croissant.  At home I my standard oatmeal breakfast.

Read some of the GRP before switching to YouTube on the iPad.  We watched Trinity Lutheran’s streaming service.  Good Homily today by Pastor Bob.

I had the entire GRP read in 45 minutes.  The GRP is printed in Ohio so even though yesterday’s UM vs MSU Game was played at noon no mention of the game in today’s paper.  Incompetent!

Today has been cold and blustery.  Wind speeds over 20 mph.  Most trees are now bare.  We even had some light snow.

Lunch and then took another long nap.  It was a pain free nap.  I am now off all pain medication.

Rest of afternoon activities include a short walk.  Walking into the high winds was brutal.  Encountered light snow.

For dinner Nancy fixed her world famous scrambled eggs.  I had mine with spinach pie and cottage cheese.  For dessert I had vanilla pudding.

Tonight we watched 60 Minutes.  Actually we watched political ads with short 60 Minute segments.

We watched Ratched on Netflix before turning in.  This was episode 2. Nancy was so turned off she stopped watching 1/2 way into the program.  I watched the show and gave it a C.

Debbie and Missy called this evening.  We are beginning to envy the Ca weather.

Cold and very windy when checked the front yard at 2200.  Temps will drop to low 20s tonight.

Saturday October 31, 2020

Saturday October 31, 2020

Blog time 1200 sitting in office

We both got up at 0730.  It was 28, sunrise not until 0815.  However, tomorrow sunrise will be 0715.  I hate DST.

Our first order of business was to drive to Panera.  We both went inside because we anticipated a problem with our account.  However, everything was ok.  First good news today.

The second good news was the bright sunshine.  Sun trumps everything.

The third good news was that Nancy was able to straighten her account at Lake Mi CU.  They had too many numbers for her Apple Card.  The matter was straightened out.

I had my oatmeal breakfast with a fresh croissant from Panera and a banana.  As mentioned many times before. I put plain yogurt on my oatmeal. Very tasty.

This and that:

Today is Halloween.  I never like this day except when I took the kids Trick or Treating.  Some great memories walking around the OH neighborhood.  

Today we have the second full moon of the month.  It is called a Blue Moon.

Today is also the UM vs MSU football game.  I remember growing up how important this game was to my Parents.  Mom went to UM and Dad MSU.  My Mother was a very avid UM fan.  She was also a UM snob.  They would place all kinds of bets on the game.  If MSU won Mom would fix Dad his favorite meal.  Mother wanted Dinner out, etc.  It was all in good fun.  Although Dad took a loss better than Mom.

First bad news of the day.  MSU won.  I did not watch, luckily.

I have the weather in Edinburgh, Scotland on iPhone app.  I always thought Edinburgh had major air pollution problems because they burned coal.  However, coal must no longer be used.  Edinburgh’s air quality is usually in single digits. Much better than most cities in USA.

Missy just sent photos of stores in upscale Santa Monica boarding up.  They expect problems on election night.  Good grief this is the USA.  Majority rules, period.

I will pause this blog while I take my first short walk since the surgery.  

I walked about 0.6 mile with no apparent ill effect. Nice sunny fall day.

This afternoon I took a nice long nap.  Felt good.

Granddaughter Alessandra Facetimed Nancy this afternoon.  They had a nice long chat.  Alessandra is our main source of news from Steve’s family.  

For dinner Nancy fixed meat loaf with mashed potatoes and corn.  Very good.

This evening we watched a James Bond movie with Daniel Craig.  Sean Connery was the best Bond but Craig is a close second.  Sorry to hear of the passing of Sean Connery today at age 90.

Debbie and Missy FaceTimed us this evening.  Everything ok.

It was windy and misting when checked the front yard at 2200.  Reset several clocks to EST before turning in.

 

October 30, 2020

 Friday October 30, 2020

Blog time 1200 sitting in office

I don’t think the opiate pill I took last night was needed.  The pain I had was minor.  Will stick with Tylenol and Motrin.

This morning I got up at 0700.  I promised Nancy that I would not leave the house today.

Nancy drove to Panera and got us coffee.  After breakfast I headed down to the office.  My first order of business was to finish Wednesday and Thursday’s blog.

Nancy ran some errands this morning.  She will now join me inside for the rest of the day.

I did call our Handy Man Randy about our cedar closet light and master bedroom toilet.  He will stop by next week.

Lunch today was as always yogurt, ensure, vanilla pudding and oatmeal cookie.  Within a couple of weeks I should be off this stupid soft food diet.  Will enjoy a piece of hard cheese for lunch.

This and that:

Thankfully the election next Tuesday will end the nasty political ads.  A curse on all politicians.

Recently it seems the Coronavirus is the curse of white folks.

I will stick my neck out.  I predict that former Veep Biden will win in a landslide.  Of course don’t put too much into my predictions because I said the same about Ms Clinton in 2016. I did not vote for Clinton, Biden or Trump (twice).  

Nancy’s sister, Peg Middleton, has been sending some good jokes.  I forward them on to my former work colleagues. They all comment that a good laugh is therapeutic.  Thanks Peg.

After lunch I took a long nap.  I am still in recovery mode.

Today Nancy fixed pea soup with coleslaw for dinner.  Good.

Tonight we watched “The Advocates” on Acorn.  We ended a season.  I gave the show a B-.  I have trouble understanding the Scotch brogue.  Glad I got closed captions.  

Debbie and Missy FaceTimed this evening.  Everything ok.

Checked the front yard and garage at 2200.  It was turning cold.  Temperature will be in 20s by morning.

Thursday October 29, 2020

 Thursday October 29, 2020

Blog time Friday Oct 30 in office.

Thursday I was up with the alarm 0600.  Not allowed any food after 2000 last night, also no alcohol until Friday. 

We have to be at Metro Hospital at 0920.  Left home at 0830 thinking commuter traffic would be heavy.  Not the case.  Arrived at 0900 and sat in car for 15 minutes talking.

Check in and post op procedures were well organized.  Would you expect less from a UM operation.  Talked with Surgeon and Gas Doctor before being wheeled in the operating room at exactly 0950.  Next thing I remember I was being moved to the recovery room.  Operation was about 45 minutes.

We were give detailed post op instructions.  For pain I was to take Motrin and Tylenol alternating pills every three hours.  I was also given a prescription for an opiate if needed.  The Doctor recommended as a minimum I take one before bed tonight.  

Comments on my experience:

I was amazed at how large the Hospital facility was.  The capital investment must have been substantial.  Metro is one of three hospitals in GR.

The ratio of nurses to patient was over 3 to 1.  

Once I decided on the surgery I could pick my date.  I hear horror stories about the NHS in the UK.  Normal wait for an operation like mine would be many months.  

Health care is the big campaign issue but our experience with the health system has been great.  I hope the Dems don’t kill the golden goose.

If you want to bring the cost of health care down we should shoot all folks over 75.  Almost all the folks we saw at the hospital yesterday were seniors.

The staff was obsessed with sanitation.  I was glad.

On a negative note most of the staff were way overweight.

Got home about noon.  I was still groggy but found time for a quick lunch.  Spent the afternoon napping.

Debbie and Missy all FaceTimed us this afternoon wanting know how everything went.  I reported things went well.  I was groggy with minor pain.

Critter report:  

Some stupid Robins are still around.

We saw a large buck and doe in our backyard.  The buck had an impressive rack.

We think the 3 Sand Hill Cranes have finally left for NM.

Dinner tonight was Tomato soup with cottage cheese.  Tonight we watched an episode of Midsomer Murders.  Nancy headed to bed and I watched an episode of Babylon Berlin.  I took an opiate pill before turning in.

It was sprinkling when checked the front yard at 2200. 

October 28, 2020

 Wednesday October 28, 2020

Blog time 1530 sitting in office

Today is my easy Wednesday.

We slept in until 0700 this morning.  Nancy headed out first thing for her 3 mile walk.  

I dressed and drove to Panera’s drive thru.  Purchased two coffees and a bagel.  At home I had my oatmeal breakfast.

After breakfast I drove to Metro’s Healths Lab.  This morning I had my last post op test.  Total time in lab was 10 minutes.

At home I headed down to the office.  Completed yesterday’s blog and read the papers.

At noon I took a 2 mile walk.  Beautiful day for a walk with temps in mid 40s and bright sun.  Perfect fall day.

Lunch, then accomplished my normal Wednesday chores. Laundry, trash and recyclables before heading down to office.   

Spent the rest of the afternoon reading. 

For dinner we had Cheerios with cottage cheese and croissants.

After dinner I shaved and showered.  Metro Hospital said I had to shower the evening before the operation and tomorrow morning I also must shower.  Must use a good soap.  Ivory was approved.  No after showers lotions.

In keeping with our pledge to not watch the national news until after the election, we switched immediately after dinner to Acorn.  Watched an episode of Mystery Road on Acorn.  I give it an A- and Nancy a B-. 

It was sprinkling with temps in high 30s when checked front yard at 2200.  

October 27, 2020

 Tuesday October 27, 2020

Blog time 1218 sitting in office.

This morning we slept in until almost 0730.  The lateness must be caused by the late sunrise, 0811.  Next week it will be 0711 and that should help get us up.

Temperature was in mid 30s and misting but Nancy headed out on a 3 mile walk.  When she got home she said she regretted not wearing gloves.

This morning I did the calisthenics at 75%.  Tapering off before Thursday’s surgery.  Shaved and showered before breakfast.

Nancy drove to Panera to get us coffee.  I enjoyed the coffee with my oatmeal.

It is now 1230 and it is still raining with temperature at 38.  My weather app said it will rain most of the afternoon.  So maybe no bike ride today.  I will try to get a 30 minute walk in about 1700.

Lunch  and then headed back downstairs for more reading.  

This and that from news:

Amy Barrett was confirmed last night.  She is now Justice Barrett.  Media and Dems had a hissy fit.

Big news from UK.  Environmentalists are proposing more plant based food.  Their big scheme is to rotate crops.  After harvesting plants for consumption from a field they are proposing just growing a cover crop and allowing sheep to eat and fertilize the next year.  The following year the field will grow food for consumption.  What is the big news about this!  For years my Grandfather practiced Crop Rotation.  Good grief!

President Macron of France has taken actions against Muslim extremist after the beheading of a teacher who was lecturing on free speech.  Macron has taken heat from Muslim countries.  Glad to see Macron standing up for Free Speech.  Took balls.

Another sad victim of the Coronavirus.  The EU has closed all Christmas Markets.  Nancy and I have visited the outdoor Christmas markets in Berlin and Munich.  A great way to spend an afternoon.  

Lunch today at 1330.  Yogurt, white bread with peanut butter and vanilla pudding.  I will be glad to get off this soft food diet in a couple of weeks.

It is now 1530 and still raining but I will put on rain gear and take a walk.  I have to get my 30 minutes in today.

The rain had stopped when I started my walk.  Walked two miles.

At home I got a call for Metro Health Hospital about Thursday’s surgery.  The surgery will start at 1050 and last about 90 minutes.  Nancy will drive me home.

No major dietary restrictions except no alcohol 48 hours before surgery. So I have begun my ACOD.

Missy called this afternoon.  Apparently LA is expecting some riots after the elections.  Her neighborhood association wanted to know if she wanted the windows in her store boarded up.  This is the USA?

Later this afternoon Granddaughter Alessandra FaceTimed us.  She was taking a break from virtual learning.  It has to be tough on kids not being able to be in a classroom with other kids.  Northern Michigan schools are full time with no apparent problems. 

For dinner I had a bowl of Nancy’s world famous home made chili.  Very good.

Tonight we watched an episode of Whitechapel.  I stayed up and watched episode 1of a Danish political drama “Bergen”.  The jury is still out.

It was still dark and gloomy when went out at 2200.  I scared a small critter when I turned my flashlight on.  He panicked and knocked over a flower pot making his escape.

Finally sun predicted for tomorrow.