March 31, 2021

Wednesday March 31, 2021

Blog time 1130 on Thursday at Panera, yes I am a day late

Wednesday morning up at 0700.

This morning Nancy is walking at the mall.  This afternoon she works at Gardens.

I have an 1100 meeting with Jennifer of Cogent Engineering.  Jennifer wants to talk about a project she is working on.

Today is my easy day.  I do some light calisthenics at home before my breakfast of oatmeal with banana.  Get on bike and take short 2.5 mile route to Panera.  The temperature was in mid 30s with wind above 10 mph.  Luckily I only rode a short distance.

Ordered coffee with a bagel.  Quickly read some news, checked emails and finished yesterday’s blog.  At 1000 I left Panera and make the quick trip home, 1 mile.

Jennifer’s office is in downtown Alto, about a 30 minute drive from home.  We spent some time discussing her project but most of the time was just talking about family and engineering friends .  

For lunch we had a burger at the Alto Bar which is next door to Jennifer’s office.  Jennifer bought lunch which I appreciated.  

The Coronavirus has isolated us from friends.  When I do have a chance to talk to a friend I ramble on and on.  

At home I did a load of laundry, took out trash and recyclables.  Also found time for a nap.

Nancy got home at 1700.  She said the Gardens was not crowded.  The butterflies are in full bloom but because of coronavirus restrictions it takes forever to get inside.  The wait time is discouraging some folks from visiting.

We had our standard Wednesday night dinner with a scone.  Love scones.

Tonight we watched an episode of New Tricks.  We started watching The City in the Hill but shut is down after 10 minutes because we needed to get to bed.

Debbie FaceTimed tonight.  We gave a positive report.

It was 35 and windy when checked front yard at 2200.  Temperature will drop to mid 20s tonight.  BRR!

 

March 30, 2021

 Tuesday March 30, 2021

Blog time 1100 at Panera

Up at 0645.  Nancy is meeting Kathy Vance at Woodland Mall at 0830 for a morning walk.

Checked outside, sun and temperature was 46.  20 degrees warmer that yesterday at same time.  Wind speed was 17mph.

Light calisthenics before breakfast.  With all the springtime temperature swings it is hard to know what to wear on morning ride. 

This morning I took the 8 mile route to Panera.  Noted on ride that many trees are showing buds.  Full foliage’s usually at end of April.

Our neighbor Pat McCarthy and fellow Panera pal turns 89 today.  Pat looks great.

Today is also the birthday of my childhood friend Maury Cohen.  I will email Maury later.

At home shaved and showered before lunch.

At 1345 we walked to our CPA to pick up our taxes and discuss several financial matters.  First time Nancy had met our CPA. She was impressed.  

Nancy still cannot get her contacts on her new cell phone.  I called our computer guru.  He arrived at 1630 and after some fiddling got the problem solved.  He also paired the new iPhone with Nancy’s iWatch.  Productive effort.

For dinner Nancy cooked a pork chop in the crock pots.  Also rice, salad and cookies. Very good.

After the news we watched an episode of Blood Land on Acorn. A lot of twist and turns.  Still cannot figure out who is the good guy.  

Debbie FaceTimed this evening.  We gave a positive report.

I messaged Missy at 2200.  I got a short reply.  She probably has some major jet lag.  I think the flight from Istanbul to LA is 14 hours.

Checked front yard at 2200.  Temp in 40s and will drop to low 30s by morning.

 

March 29, 2021

 Monday March 29, 2021

Blog time 1100 at Panera

Up with alarm, 0630.  Nancy has a 0715 class at MVP.

I continue doing modified calisthenics at home.  My shoulder is healing slowly and the pulled abdominal muscle is also healing.  No Y today.

Oatmeal with banana breakfast.  It was sunny but cold, 25,  when headed out on 8 mile bike ride to Panera.  

While biking on Cascade I saw a deer that had been recently hit by a car.  The injury seemed to be to its rear legs.  When I got to Panera I called Sheriff’s office and they said the deer had been dispatched.  Very sad.

Panera was empty this morning.

This and that:

Now that we are venturing out at church and restaurants I enjoy putting on a sport coat.  I missed wearing a sport coat.

Also miss going to library and sitting down reading periodicals.

Would you like to be on the jury for the policeman charged with killing George Floyd?  No matter the outcome protestors will try to stir up trouble.

Finally it looks like the Suez Canal will reopen.  I just Googled the width of the canal.  Sections of the canal are one way only.

Big covid surges in US and EU.  Important for folks to get vaccine.

After my shower I had a quick lunch.  

Afternoon activities:

Put out the last of the bird seed.  The birds have to fend for themselves now.

Swept the deck of bird seed.  Worried that skunks and rats might be attracted to seed.

Responded to lunch request from Jennifer Dougherty.  We will meet on Wednesday.

Created a spread sheet for 2021 gifts to charity.

Viewed more photos and short clips from Missy on her Turkey trip.

Spent time with Nancy trying to get her contacts back on her new iPhone.  No luck!

Called our computer guru for help with Nancy’s iPhone.  No reply yet.

Paid a bill and walked to mail box to post.

Dinner tonight was my standard Cheerios with fruit.

We watched the news before switching to Apple TV.  Tonight we planned on watching Blood Lands.  Every Monday a new episode is released.  Checked and the show had not been released.  Bummer!

Watched an episode of Law and Order, UK.  After this show I checked back on Acorn and Blood Lands was available. Will watch tomorrow.

Debbie FaceTimed this evening.  We discussed Nancy’s phone problems.  I will sync Nancy’s phone with the Apple computer in an effort to get her contact list back.  Debbie and her new dog Violet are now best friends.

Temperature was in high 40s when checked front yard at 2200.  Very bright Worm Moon.

March 27 & 28, 2021

 Weekend blog for Saturday, March 27 and Sunday March 28.

Blog started Saturday at 1700 sitting in office.

Saturday 

Up at 0700, temp was 33.  Nancy and I walked to Panera.  The temperature was 35+.

I ordered Oatmeal and coffee, Nancy filled her thermos.

At home Nancy started laundry and I head out on bike ride, 11.4 miles. 

After ride I shaved head and face before showering.  

Drove to Ada Bike to get a handlebar mount for my iPhone.  I think I will start using a different bike app.

Lunch and then downstairs to office.  Finished yesterday’s blog and started my weekend update blog.

I did take a nap this afternoon.  For dinner tonight Nancy fixed a pork loin with mashed potatoes and coleslaw.  Very good.

Today we watched a movie.  It was called Double Jeopardy and starred Ashley Judd and Tommie Lee Jones.  We both gave it a B+.

Finished the evening watching another episode of New Tricks.

Light rain when checked the front yard at 2200.

Sunday March 28

Blog time 1300 sitting in office

Up this morning at 0700.  Quickly dressed and headed to Panera for coffee and bagel.  At home fixed oatmeal to go with the coffee and bagel.

It was 34, windy with light mist when left for Trinity Lutheran at 0845.  Today is Palm Sunday so we expected a large crowd.  Not the case.  Most in attendance were old folks who probably had their shots.

Good Homily by Pastor Bob today.  Cleared up some of my misconceptions about Palm Sunday.

Dropped Nancy off at home and then I headed to Meijer’s.  Filled the Fusion up, gas was $2.61.  Today I bought wine, 6 bottles, sugar free cookies, Ensure, yogurt and bananas.

Lunch at 1300.  A neighborhood church group is having a zoom get together at 1330.

Blog resumes on Monday 1030 at Panera

The Sunday Zoom meeting with Trinity Church members who live in our neighborhood was attended by 12 folks.  We had a great conversation talking about Easter memories.  Our group plans on meeting monthly.  We might even be able to meet in person in May.

Being Sunday I took a nap.  

It was cold, windy with light mist most of the day.  No walk for Bob and Nancy today.

For dinner Nancy fixed her world famous poached eggs.  I had mine on an English muffin.  

Watched the last few minutes of the UM BB game.  Great outcome.  After the game we watched 60 Minutes.

Debbie FaceTimed us this evening.  While visiting a neighbor Debbie’s dog Violet jumped into a pond.  Her first experience with water.  Violet needed a bath after this episode.  The bath was another first.  

Daughter in law Veronica sent us a video of Grandson Lucas hitting his first home run for Long Beach Poly HS.  I am sure Lucas will remember this the rest of his life.

Missy has done a great job of keeping us up to day on trip to Turkey.  They are having a great time.

The rain had stopped when checked front yard at 2200.  Clear night so temp will drop to mid 20s tonight.

March 26, 2021

 Friday March 26, 2021

Blog time 0920 at Panera

Up this morning at 0630. Nancy has 0715 class at MVP.  This morning I have a 1000 appointment with the joint Doctor, actually with his PA.

Did all my calisthenics at home this morning.  Showered and then breakfast.  We had heavy rain most of the night.  The rain had stopped by 0800.  Today was cloudy and cold.

I drove to Panera. Finished yesterday’s blog and did some reading before heading to the Doctor’s at 0930.

First thing the PA did was order some X-rays of my hips.  I was impressed with the huge machine.  I was shown the xrays and  told the hip joints were bone on bone.  In other words the elastic membrane between joints was gone.  The principal reason for the pain.  

Dennis was the name of the PA and he spent some time explaining my options, including complete hip replacement,  a shot that might reduce pain, and adjusting my daily routine that includes reduced walking.  Bike riding is much better than walking.  

We agreed that a joint replacement was not an option at this time.  I would reduce my walks and continue riding my bike.  I spent about 30 minutes in discussion with the PA.  I was impressed with his explanations. 

After the visit I returned to Panera to continue reading.  

Got home at 1230 and immediately went on a 11.5 mile bike ride.  Because it was cloudy and cold not many folks on the trails.  A lot of puddles from last night’s rain.

At home I took another shower followed by a quick lunch.  After I checked my in basket and started reading the WSJ.

1700 Nancy and I got in the Escape and drove the short distance to Bagger Dave’s.  The place was empty.  We both wondered how much longer it could remain in business.

We both had their cheeseburger with coleslaw.  Also ordered wine.  The burgers were very good.

At home we watched the news before switching to Prime.  This evening we watched an episode of “The City on the Hill”.  We both gave it a B-.

Debbie FaceTimed the evening.  She even was able to add Granddaughter Alessandra to the call.  We had a nice talk.

Missy continues to send us some great photos from Istanbul.  She keeps commenting that AJ is walking 5 miles a day with no complaints.  Great.

The temp was in the low 40s when checked the front yard at 2200.  Temperature will drop to near freezing tonight.

 

March 25, 2021

 Thursday March 25, 2021

Blog time 1100 at Panera

Up this morning at 0700.  Nancy left at 0800 for a swim at MVP.

I did my morning calisthenics before breakfast.  Fixed oatmeal with banana for breakfast.

The temperature was in mid 40s and cloudy when I left for Panera.  Today I took the 8 mile route.

Kim cleans today so Nancy and I will take our weekly drive.

Panera was crowded this morning.  It was also cold inside.  Being cold at Panera is an old problem.  If cold tomorrow I will complain.

Read my email and finished yesterday’s blog before heading home.  Total bike miles today, 11.3.

Nancy and I got in the Escape and started our weekly ride through rural west Mi.  

Before starting we stopped at Verizon and bought Nancy a cover for her new iPhone. Next we picked up my prescription from Meijer’s drive through.

Today we drove to Byron Center.  Drove around the community before heading north on Byron Center Ave.  We drove north on Byron Center Ave to 28th Street and then home.  We passed through some areas that we have not visited in years.  Total travel time, 2 hours.

We got home at 1400.  After a quick lunch I took a 1.5 mile walk.  Nancy also took a walk but her walk was 2.5 miles.  Once again Nancy wins.

Today I got a call from Orthopedic Doctor’s office.  I was referred to the Orthopedic office by my GP after complaining of sore hip.  I see a PA tomorrow at 1000.

Spent rest of afternoon finishing reading today’s papers.  

I am becoming disappointed with President Biden’s administration not being very open.  At the recent Press Conference he would not recognize a representative from Fox News. This is the same practice that Dems accused President Trump of doing.  Not the openness I desire.

For dinner tonight Nancy fixed chili.  We also had fresh fruit, pineapples and strawberries.

After the news we started watching an episode of The City on the Hill.  I paused the show to take a FaceTime call from Debbie.  

We told Debbie that we were doing fine.  In the background we heard a bell ring.  Debbie has trained Violet to ring the bell when she wants out to do her bidness.  We were impressed.  

When I returned to The City on the Hill it was almost over.  I must have failed to push the pause properly.  Live and learn.

We did watch an episode of New Tricks.  

It was raining when I checked the front yard at 2200.  Temperatures will drop to near freezing tonight. 

Missy keeps sending us great photos of Istanbul.  Missy said AJ has been walking 5 miles a day visiting historic sites.  Education and exercise, a good combination.

March 24, 2021

 Wednesday March 24, 2021

Blog time 1100 at Panera

I did not set an alarm last night, even though I have a 0730 Breakfast Club meeting.  Got up at 0700.  It was raining.

Last night I checked the progress on my iWatch backup at 0200.  It was still grinding so I went back to bed.  At 0700 I checked and everything is fine.

Today’s Breakfast Club was a meeting of the members.  We had about 25 members in attendance.

The big question is when do we go back to in person meetings at University Club.  All members want to return.

All the members over 65 in attendance today had received their shots.  Several young member were not yet eligible for the vaccine.

After much discussion it was agreed we would hold our first in person meeting on June 2.

Because of the rain I drove the Fusion to Panera.

Alpena news reported that because of all the dry weather a serious fire hazard exists.  Also reported on several folks illegally shooting bobcats.  I have never seen a bobcat in the wild?

Drove to Verizon and bought a case for my new iPhone.

Have we lost some of our democracy is a question I have seen raised in several publications.  I don’t know.

Checked into a financial account and got warning about Apple being hacked and to call Apple support. After talking with what I thought was Apple support I hung up because I could not understand the caller.  Called Debbie to see if Apple had been hacked. The answer was, it had not.

Checked at several banks I deal with and no activity was reported.  Bottom line I was hacked and I fell for it. Luckily no damage done except to my dignity.  I thought I was computer savvy.

New iPhone is bigger than old so I need a carrying case.  Found one at Meijer’s.

Stopped at Gazelle Sports and bought a pair of super cushioned walking shoes.  I hope these shoes will help reduce my hip pain.

Lunch

Helped Nancy get her new phone set up.  It went smooth.

Did load of laundry.

Took out trash.

Took nap.

We had our standard Wednesday night fare for dinner.  Cheerios with blueberries and strawberries.  Also ate half a scone.

We watched the news and then headed to den to watch a streaming show.  Before we got started Debbie called.  Nancy has been having trouble with her messages and emails.  Debbie got everything straightened out.  Thanks Debbie!

It was 2100 when our conversation with Debbie ended.  Nancy said she was going to bed.  I watched the final episode of Capitani.  Once again a weird ending.

Missy keeps sending great photos from Turkey.  She and AJ are having a great time.

Checked front yard at 2200.  Temperature still in 50s.  Weekend cold front moving in.  We need more rain.