November 25, 2021

 Thursday November 25, 2021

Blog time 1130 sitting in living room

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!  

As a boy I always liked Thanksgiving.  The Scott family would all have our meal at my Grandparents farm at Hubbard Lake.  About 25 family members would attend.  We had food galore. Of course all the food was prepared by the women.   It was great.  

After the big meal the women would do the dishes and then everyone would sit in the living room.  On several Thanksgivings my Aunt Bernice would play the piano and we would all sing hymns.  It was impossible to starve on this day.

Memories of past Thanksgivings:

After all the kids were out of college and Nancy was still teaching we decided to take a long Thanksgiving weekend trip.  Our goal was to visit one big European City. We would not leave the City limits and use public transportation when visiting the different venues.  

After school on Wednesday we would head to the airport and catch a flight to Europe.  We usually arrived on Thursday morning and would leave on Sunday.  Spent a jammed packed three days visiting the sites.

The first trip was to Paris.  Next year we headed to London.  For our third year we visited Berlin.  Our last Thanksgiving trip was to Rome.  All were great trips.

In our 56 years of marriage Nancy and I have never been apart on Thanksgiving.  Most of our Thanksgivings were in GR but we did have several in Terre Haute, In and Alpena, Mi. I think we had one Thanksgiving in Saigon, Vietnam.  

While in the Navy my first Thanksgiving was at the Officer’s Club at the Pearl Harbor Navy Base.  Thanksgiving number 2 was at the Midway Island Naval Base in the middle of the Pacific.  Finally Saigon, Vietnam in 1963.

At 1130 Nancy and I drove to the Moleski’s for Thanksgiving dinner.  In addition Tim Mask joined us.

In addition to a great turkey we had squash and a special fruit dish.  For dessert we all had pumpkin pie.

We got home 1630.  No dinner tonight because we were still digesting our turkey feast.

Tonight we watched an episode of “New Tricks”.  We are not fond of this show anymore since they added commercials.

Today we talked to our entire family,  Debbie, Missy and Stephen.  They were all enjoying the holiday.

The temperature was in the 40s most of the day.  When I checked the Courtyard before bed the temperature had dropped to 30 with light snow.

November 24, 2021

 Wednesday November 24, 2021

Blog time 1100 at Panera

Today is my easy Wednesday.  Up at 0715 and did my full calisthenics at 50%.  Best thing I ever did was to ease up on Wednesdays.  It lets my body recover.

Nancy is swimming at MVP this morning.  This afternoon she works at the Gardens.

After a breakfast of oatmeal and banana I bundled up and rode my bike to Panera a distance of 1.67 miles.  First time in a week that I rode my bike.  The antibiotics seem to be helping my sinus infection.

Once again Panera was empty.  For most of the time I was there only two folks were in the dining area.

The day before Thanksgiving was alway an exciting day for me while in college. It was a long 7 or 8 hour drive from Ann Arbor to Alpena mostly on two lane roads.  The distance made it impossible to go home except for Holidays.  

UM was very strict about having cars on campus so most undergrads did not have one.  Finding a ride was difficult.  Luckily there were several Korean War vets attending UM on the GI bill from NE MI.  One was Cal from Hubbard Lake.  My freshman year I called Cal several weeks before Thanksgiving and begged for a ride.  Cal granted my wish.  We were leaving at 1230 on Wednesday.  As I recall we had 6 students in the car. 

Once a jerk Prof scheduled a test at 1300.  I had to take a Greyhound home.  If fact I used the Greyhound bus many times.

I got home from Panera at noon.  Nancy was getting ready to head out to Gardens.  

Tomorrow we are having Thanksgiving Dinner at the Moleski’s.  We have purchased a pumpkin pie for us to take.  Nancy said we should take a bottle of wine.  I got in Fusion and drove to Total wines and bought a bottle.

I took the recyclables and trash out before lunch.  Also started a load of laundry.  

After lunch I took a quick nap.  After the nap I started to take the trash to the curb when I remembered that tomorrow is a holiday so no pickup.  Dumb!

Our dinner tonight was light. Cereal and cookies.

Watched some of the TV news while eating dinner.  Tonight we watched an episode of “The Madame Blanc Mysteries” on Acorn.  We both like this show.

Both Debbie and Missy FaceTimed this evening.  We all were all upbeat.

Checked Courtyard just before bed.  Everything secure.

November 23, 2021

 Tuesday November 23, 2021

Blog time; noon at Panera

Up again at 0700.  Apparently my new default time.

Nancy headed out early for a class at MVP.  Later we are going to Costco.

After at-home calisthenics and breakfast I drove to the Y.  Judging from the parking lot most folks who go to the Y are on a MWF cycle.  The place was empty.

 Walked a mile, rowed 1000 meters and completed my calisthenics before showering.  Drove to Panera for coffee and baguette. Started my reading with the Alpena News followed by the Detroit News and then my email.  Usually I only get 1 email worth reading.

As soon as I got home, Nancy and I drove to Costco.  We bought pumpkin pies (2), Cetaphil, snacking Naan, trash bags, toilet paper and paper towels.  Costco was not very busy.

On way home stopped at Aldi’s.  Nancy purchased grapes and two boxes of her favorite crackers.  Nancy likes this store, I don’t.

After lunch I took a nap.   During the nap Nancy told me to look in the back yard.  Four deer were looking around for some uneaten corn.

About 1630 Missy FaceTimed Nancy, a nice conversation followed.  Missy and AJ are having Thanksgiving dinner at the Boat Club.

This and that:

Why don’t women wear socks on cold days?  A mystery to me.

Build Back Better the infrastructure package just passed by Congress if administered properly will have a positive impact.

Noted that traffic on local roads is back to pre pandemic volumes.

I seldom use cash. 

I still don’t understand bitcoins.

The Citizens of the State of Maine voted to stop a power line.  The power line brings clean energy from hydro dams in Canada.  The main beneficiary are citizens of Massachusetts.  We will never solve our climate problems if good project are being shot down.

For dinner tonight Nancy fixed pork loin with mashed potatoes and corn.  Very good.

Tonight we watched another episode of Shetland.  I bet Shetland would be nice to visit in summer but at this time of year they get about 6 hours of sun.  It looks windy, cold and desolate.

Debbie FaceTimed this evening.  Everything ok in San Jose.  

Granddaughter Alessandra also contacted Nancy for written instructions on how to make Thanksgiving dressing.  Nancy said she does not have written instructions.  She will have to use the trail and error method.

Checked Courtyard at 2200.  Everything secure.  Noted a bright full moon.

November 22, 2021

Monday November 22, 2021

Blog time 1015 at Panera.

 Up at 0700.  Do my at home calisthenics before breakfast.  I also set up the coffee maker so Helen and Nancy can have there morning coffee.

For the first time this fall I wore long underwear.  My favorite trousers are made of great stretchy material.  However, they are not warm. Long underwear helps. 

Nancy and Helen are leaving for Kitchen 67 at 1100.  They are meeting fellow Albion classmate Karen Horlings for lunch.

After my oatmeal breakfast I drove to the Y.  The sun was up and temps in mid 40s, which is great for November.  Noted the classes at the Y were full but not many individuals working out alone.

Walked, rowed and calisthenics before showering.  Headed to Panera to start my morning read.

It seems that the news media is taking a break from their off the wall reporting.  The SUV crashing into a Holiday Parade in WI and the House passage of the President’s trillion dollar social program dominate.

Mentioned in Sunday’s blog that Nancy and I made a dry run to the Kent Country Club from the Gardens.  We did this because Nancy was going to attend a dinner at the club.  She would leave directly from the Gardens in complete darkness.   After all that effort Nancy got a message this morning that the event at the Club is cancelled.  It is being replaced with a virtual meeting. Apparently the recent Covid outbreak in Kent County lead to the change.

After Panera I made a quick trip to Meijer’s to purchase bananas and a sub sandwich for dinner.  Meijer’s was jammed.  I think a lot of schools and businesses are taking Thanksgiving week off.  They were all at Meijer's.

Nancy and Helen got home from lunch at 1300.  Helen left immediately for Gaylord.  It was great having her visit us.

For dinner tonight I had the sub I purchased earlier. Also part of a scone, cottage cheese and cookies.  

This evening I sat in the den with Nancy we were both reading. At 1930 we then switched to Acorn and watched an episode of “Queens of Mystery”.

Debbie FaceTimed this evening.  She spent time getting Nancy set up on using ApplePay on her iPhone.  

It was cold when checked the Courtyard before bed.  Noted a bright full moon.

I think on this date in 1963 JFK was shot.  I remember the day.  I was in Vietnam and learned of the shooting at 0400 in the morning while eating breakfast.  It was shocking!

November 21, 2021

 Sunday November 21, 2021

Blog time, Monday at 1145 sitting in Panera

Sunday morning and Nancy and I are up at our normal 0700.  First thing I started the coffee.  

Helen is leaving today at 0900 with her Granddaughter Paige for a Crandall family reunion in Homer.  They will be gone most of the day.

Nancy and I left for Trinity Lutheran at 0845.  Temperature was in 30s and windy.  Church was well attended today.  Trinity has a large group of children attending Sunday School. A very healthy situation for a church.

Speaking of Sunday School.  My old Sunday school teacher is the Grandmother of the basketball coach at San Diego State.

After church Nancy wanted to dry run the route from Meijer Gardens to Kent Country  Club.  She has a meeting at the Club in early December.  It is on a Wednesday so she will leave from the Gardens to go to the meeting.  It will be dark when she leaves the Gardens.  We made a successful dry run.

This afternoon I made a trip to Meijer’s to replenish my yogurt, cookie, Ensure and Vernor’s supply.  I did not venture outside again today.  

I am on day two of antibiotics for my sinus problems.  Noticed no change yet.

I had a light lunch and dinner.  Helen and Paige arrived from Homer at 1830.  Helen said it was a great reunion.

The wind really picked up this afternoon.  High wind advisory was up for the area.  

Neither Helen or Paige wanted any food.  They had a huge brunch.  

After Paige left for home we sat around and talked.  Neither Helen or Nancy wanted any wine, so I drank alone.

The strong winds nearly blew me over when I checked the Courtyard this evening.  Temperature will drop the low 20s this evening.

Debbie FaceTimed this evening.  She had a nice talk with her Aunt Helen.

AJ also FaceTimed this evening.  She also talked with Aunt Helen.  AJ has Thanksgiving week off from school.,

November 20, 2021

 Saturday November 20, 2021

Up at 0630 this morning.

It was a cold 32 but no rain or snow today.

For breakfast we all drove to “The Gathering Place” for breakfast.  Nancy had her usual omelette with raisin toast.  Helen and I had oatmeal.  Took a short ride after breakfast.

Helen and Nancy went shopping and I took a short early morning nap.  I was cold and wanted to warm up.  

Helen had lunch with a friend who lives near our condo.  They ate at Sundance.  Both gave it rave reviews.

Every day I put out 7 ears of corn for deer.  I never see them eating but every morning the ears are stripped clean.

For dinner tonight we ordered a pizza, ham and pineapple, from JT’s.  It has been awhile since we have had a JT’s.  

I was surprised when I arrived that the parking lot was empty.  I was told the indoor dining area has been closed for several weeks. Of course staffing problems are the main reason. 

The three of us watched an episode of Midsomer Murders.  

It was cold and raining when checked the Courtyard before bed.

I am finishing this blog on Monday the 22nd and cannot recall who FaceTimed us this evening, Saturday.  I think it was Missy and Debbie FaceTimed on Sunday.  I should start taking memory pills?

November 19, 2021

 Friday November 19, 2021

Blog time 1200 at Panera

Up this morning at 0730.  Nancy left early because she had an early liver ultra sound.  This afternoon I have an appointment with ENT PA to get my left sinus looked at.

This afternoon my sister, Helen, is visiting.

No bike today.  It was cold and windy.

Completed calisthenics at Y, a mile walk and 1000 meter row.  I like the rowing routine because it is full body.  Good aerobics.  My avg heart rate for 5 minute row was 136BPM.  

Showered at Y.  The Y still does not provide towels.  They claim that it is too expensive.  I am not fond of bringing a towel. 

I drove the Fusion to Panera a distance of 1.25 miles.  Ordered coffee and two baguettes before starting my reading routine.  

At 1300 I met with PA at the ENT clinic.  I explained my history of infections in my left sinus.  She made a quick check.  

Bottom line I was given a prescription for antibiotics.  Picked up the prescription at Meijer’s later in afternoon.

This and that:

The Dems are close to passing their expensive Social Safety net and climate change measures.  I don’t like the gift to the UAW for electric cars.  Also the ability to deduct local taxes is a gift to the rich and penalizes states that budget wisely.  Only free spending states benefit.

Where is Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai?

I was surprised that Kyle Rittenhouse was found not guilty.  I think he deserves some jail time.  Carrying a loaded gun and shooting folks is not something that should be done in a free society.

My sister Helen arrived at our house in early afternoon.  Soon after Helen her granddaughter Paige arrived.  Nancy, Helen, and Paige went shopping for several hours.

Instead of going out Nancy fixed dinner.  We had pork loin, new potatoes, and a great salad.  Except for Paige we all had wine.

This evening we all sat around and talked.  It was great.  Paige headed home at 2200 and we headed to bed shortly after.

We did have a FaceTime conversation with Debbie.  Early this morning Nancy talked with Missy on the phone.  

Checked Courtyard before bed and everything was secure.  I did note a bright full moon.