October 30, 2021

 Saturday October 30, 2021

Blog time 1400 sitting in office

Up this morning at 0630.  Dressed and headed to The Gathering Place for breakfast.  We were early arrivals.

We had our normal breakfast.  Omelette with raisin toast for Nancy and oatmeal with scrambled egg and raisin toast.  As always it was very good.

After breakfast we wanted to relax a little so we took a short trip.  We enjoyed the colors.

At home Nancy started the laundry.

I ran several short errands.  I stopped at D&W on Cascade for gas.  Gas was $3.32 per gallon. I also stopped at D&W on 28th for coleslaw and milk.

During lunch I watched several minutes of the UM vs MSU game.  UM was ahead.

Today’s game is not a big deal for me because I have lost interest in all big time sports.  However, growing up the UM vs MSU game was a big deal in the Scott household.  Mom went to MI and Dad to MSU.  My mother was by far the most avid fan.  Most folks would call her a UM snob.  The week before the game Mom and Dad would make all sorts of bets on the outcome.  If UM won, Mom gloated and Dad would be a good loser.  If MSU won Dad was modest but Mom would retire to her room.  All in good fun as they say.

Nancy and I spent time this afternoon in the office going over bills.  We discontinued Direct TV last summer.  Nancy noted a recent bill from Direct TV.  She made a call and after spending nearly an hour on the phone she got our money back.  Way to go Nancy.

This afternoon I also paid the last of our prepaid taxes for 2022.  Took a 1.5 mile walk to the mailbox.  Longest walk of the week.

Finished the afternoon with a nap.  

We had a light dinner consisting mostly of food left over.  I thought it was good.

No news tonight.  Usually Saturday night is movie night but this evening we were not in the mood.

We watched an episode of New Tricks followed by Republic of Doyle.  We headed to bed early.

The Courtyard was ok when I made a check before bed.  Temperature will drop to 30s tonight.

October 29, 2021

 Friday October 29, 2021

Blog time 1100 at Panera on Lake Eastbrook Blvd.  

Up this morning at 0700.  This morning Nancy is swimming at MVP.

I dressed and drove to UM’s Laboratory on East Beltline.  This morning I had a scheduled blood test.  It went smooth with no waiting.

After the test I drove to Panera.  I have a free breakfast sandwich so I got an egg and cheese sandwich on toasted bagel.  Sandwich was ok.

This morning I have several errands:

Purchase wine at Total Wines

Stop at Meijer’s to get yogurt, Ensure, cookies, ginger ale, naan 

Final stop cleaners to pick up shirts and a sweater I had dry cleaned.

All the errands were successfully completed.

Today has been another misty cool day.  Temp in 50s with light mist.

Spent time in office reading and catching up on bills.

Tonight at 1630 we headed to Brann’s for dinner.  A good portion of the restaurant was roped off because of staffing problems.

I had wine and a bowl of chili.  Nancy had a burger with fries.  I helped her finish the burger.

Tonight we watched an episode of Midsomer Murders.  

Just before bedtime I asked Nancy to help me take a cap off a bottle of tonic water.  Nancy held the bottle while I turned the cap unsuccessfully.  Bad news I opened up the scar on my right hand from recent surgery.  I totally forgot about the scar.  Stupid on my part.  We cleaned the area and placed a bandage.  

What about tonic water?  Every once in a while my right leg gets restless and a sip of tonic water helps.

Called Helen this afternoon and she is doing as well as expected.  She is coming to GR in mid Nov.

Debbie FaceTimed this evening checking up on our health. We said perfect.

Checked the Courtyard before bed.  Everything’s locked up and secure.  It was drizzling and 48.  When will the rain end?

October 28, 2021

 Thursday October 28, 2021

Blog time 1800 sitting in office.

Up this morning at 0700.  Nancy immediately headed to a class at MVP.

Since the Doctor said no bike or calisthenics this week I had my oatmeal with banana for breakfast.  I then drove to Panera on Lake Eastbrook Blvd and had coffee and a baguette.  Spent time reading.

This and that:

Looks like the Dems will finally get their infrastructure and social bill.  Good to see they reduced the cost significantly.

Masks in school seems to be a hot issue.  In my hometown the anti mask folks are suing the School Board.  For the life of me I cannot understand the opposition to masks especially when a child’s health is involved.

Is former  President Trump imploding?  Some of his recent statements are off the wall.

Recently we have seen many dead deer alongside the roads.  It is mating season so they must be moving.

Yesterday I finished my blogs about our recent trip to Gaylord.  I made so many mistakes that I had to make at least three updates.  Most of the mistakes were exclusion of folks attending the memorial service.  Why can’t I remember names, old age?

As soon as I got home from Panera Nancy and I drove to the Tanger’s Outlet Mall.  We spent 45 minutes looking around but purchased nothing.

On way home from Outlet Mall we stopped at Kohl’s.  Once again nothing was purchased.

At home I had lunch.  Finished the afternoon with a nap.

For dinner Nancy fixed chicken noodle soup with blueberries.  Very good.

Debbie FaceTimed this evening.  Everything ok in San Jose.

After the news we watched “Manhunt” starring Martin Clunes on Acorn.

It was sprinkling and mild, 50s, when checked Courtyard before bed.  Rain predicted for all night and tomorrow.  Temperature will remain mild.

October 27, 2021

 Wednesday October 27, 2021

Today is a travel day.

Up at 0700.

After the hotel’s complementary breakfast we head to GR.

Brief list of activities.

The ride south to GR was once again very pleasant with the fall colors.

Home at 1200.

Nancy and Bob ran errands.

Headed to Dermatology Associates at 1430.  Today I had a spot on my left arm removed.  The stitches on my left had were also removed.  I was told no biking or exercises for the rest of week.

Nancy called and said she got her Covid booster shot at Walmart.  I headed to Walmart and got my booster.  No waiting.

Light dinner and tonight we watched My Life is Murder on Acorn.  Good show.

It was raining and cold when checked courtyard at 2200.  No critters noted.

We did talk to Missy this evening on telephone.  Everything ok in LA.  

October 26, 2021

 Tuesday October 26, 2021

Blog time 1000 Thursday 28 October sitting in Panera on Lake Eastbrook Blvd.  I am playing catch-up.

October 26 started at Fairfield Inn, Gaylord.  This morning we had the Inn’s Complementary breakfast.  It consisted of plastic wrapped food.  However, the coffee was hot and the fruit was fresh.  What more can you expect in these times.

We arrived at the First Congregational Church at 0930. Most of the family had arrived.  We met in the Church’s dining room.  Once again the church ladies had provided snacks and beverages. 

Friends of the family met in the Church’s dining room before heading into the Church’s Sanctuary for the service. The Memorial Service started at 1100.  The church was packed.

The service was live streamed.  Our kids watched the service in California.  Isn’t Technology great!

The service lasted 45 minutes.  It was a great service. Well planned with the right mix of music and talk.  Don would be proud.  The minister Greg Waitling did himself proud. High marks for First Congregational.

After the service most folk headed to the Otsego Ski resort for lunch.  We met in the Duck Blind Grill (love the name).  Once again a buffet luncheon.  Great food and drink.  Shelli, Don and Helen’s former foster child, took care of the lunch.  Thank you Shelli.

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the great cookies provided by Jason’s girlfriend Courtney.  She also did most of the preparation for the evening meal at the farm.

After the luncheon Nancy and I returned to the hotel for a short nap.  At 1600 we headed back to the farm for dinner.  Of course all of the food was leftover from yesterday’s huge meal.  

Until 2100 Nancy and I sat in the living room and talked with family members.  I think Don would have enjoyed the way the day went.

My second Cousin Mary Hughes from Alpena made a special effort to attend the service.  Mary is now a Lutheran minister serving three churches in Presque Isle.  We had a nice talk. 

October 25, 2021

Monday October 25, 2021

Blog time 1600 sitting in Fairfield Inn in Gaylord, Mi

Up this morning at 0700.  Today is a travel day.  We are heading to Gaylord, Mi to attend a Memorial Service on Tuesday for our Brother in Law, Donald Crandall.

It pouring rain and 45 when we left home.  Quick stop at Panera for coffee and bagel.

Despite the rain the drive north was very pleasant.  Full fall colors most of the way.

Arrived in Gaylord at 1230.  Stopped at Helen and Don’s farm to drop off cookies and wine.  

Tonight the families and Gaylord friends are meeting in the Crandall’s garage for drinks and food.  

Family member already in Gaylord are Don’s daughter Shirley Short, Jennifer Finnegan and sons Jerry Crandall and Jason Crandall.  

Later today Shirley’s husband Howie and daughter Hanna will arrive. Also Jerry’s son Jerud. They all had flight problems out of Denver.  

We arrived at the Crandall’s garage at 1630. My sister Helen and her kids, Jason and Jennifer had already placed the tables and chairs.  Shawn Finnegan, Jennifer’s husband did a lot of the heavy lifting as did Jennifer’s three daughters. 

Jason had a fire going in garage’s pot bellied iron stove.  It was toasty warm.  The temperature outside was in high 30s.

The women from the First Congregational Church provided the food.  It was great.  Pulled pork sandwiches, salads, deviled eggs were set up buffet style.  Thank you church ladies.

Howie Short, daughter Hanna and Jerry’s son Jerud arrived about 1830.  The airport group stopped at Frankenmuth, Mi and picked up Jason’s daughter Kennedy.  

Don Crandall’s nephew and wife from Homer also joined the event.  Don and Helen’s foster daughter, Shelli and her friend Jean also attended.

It was a family affair.  It was a great time.  Good food, fine wine and conversation.  Don would have loved it.

We got home about 2200 and headed straight to bed.  It was a busy day.

October 24, 2021

 Sunday October 24, 2021

Up at 0700.  Dressed and headed to Biggby for our morning coffee and a bagel for me.

Oatmeal breakfast with banana and bagel.  Left for church at 0845.

We spotted a deer feeding alongside Burton.  Always great way to start day with a critter sighting.

Small crowd at church today.  Pastor Bob’s Homily today was 9 minutes.  A record for brevity.  

Took short drive after church.  Headed west on MI ave to GR Zoo and then drove through Millennium Park before taking 28th Street home.  We haven’t been on west end of 28th in several years.  A lot has changed.

 Stopped at Meijer’s for gas and large bandages to cover my recent surgery.

At home finished packing for trip to Gaylord.  Left for Flo’s Sports Bar on Post Road at 1330.  We met the Moleski’s for brunch.  Nancy had pizza rolls and I had a great burger.  We all had drinks.  The Moleski’s like Flo’s because on Sunday drinks are 1/2 off and food items are $5, except for my burger.

At home short nap before dinner.  For dinner tonight I had a cup of yogurt.  Nancy had only a piece of toast.  Flo’s meals are filling.

Debbie FaceTimed this evening. We gave positive report.

No 60 Minutes because of football.  Tonight we watched an episode of Death in Paradise on BritBox.  

It was sprinkling and cold, 48, when checked Courtyard before bed.