March 2, 2022

 Wednesday March 2, 2022

Blog time 1145 at Panera.

Today I have Breakfast Club.  Up at 0530.  Several light exercises before dressing and heading out.

The temperature this morning was 19.  Big change from yesterday’s mid 30s.

Left home at 0630.  I was surprised at how busy I-196 was.  Small crowd at BC.  Todays speaker talked about the GR Art Festival coming in early June.  The Festival will resume after a 2 year absence because of Covid.

Members of BC are conservative.  President Biden did not get much praise for his speech last night.

After BC I drove to Well Faro Advisors to drop off some paper work.  Stopped at Meijer’s to see if my prescription for nose drops was ready.  It was not the ENT doctor had not yet authorized it.  I did fill the Fusion up.  I put in high test and the cost was above $4.

The temperature had risen to 32.  At home I changed to bike clothes and pedaled to Panera.  Pleasant day for a short bike ride.

Ordered coffee and baguettes.  Read the news and finished yesterday’s blog.

Left Panera at 1230.  At home noted Nancy had already left for her shift at the Gardens.  This is the first week of the butterfly display.  Nancy expects to be busy.

Quick lunch and then gathered up trash and recyclables.  Also did a load of laundry.  With my Wednesday chores out of the way I took a nap.

After nap I headed downstairs to get my income tax together.  Also put out more corn for deer.

Nancy got home from the Gardens at 1700.  As expected the Gardens was very busy.

Dinner tonight was cheerios with an apple.  We watched the news.  Ukraine still dominates.  It appears Covid is weakening.  More mask mandates are being lifted.

Tonight we watched another episode of “Stay Close”.  Checked Courtyard before turning in everything ok.

Debbie FaceTimed just as we were turning in.  She was amazed we were going to bed at 2100.  We told her that is what old folks do.

March 1, 2022

 Tuesday March 1, 2022

Blog time 1800 sitting in living room.

Up this morning at 0645.  March came in like a lamb so that means it will leave like a Lion.  Today it was 33 with sun. 

Our local Meteorologists consider today the first day of Spring.  I agree.  

Calisthenics, breakfast and then drove to Y.

Today I did calisthenics but no stationary bike.  No heavy sweat so no shower.  Drove straight home, grabbed my mini iPad, pumped up bike tires and pedaled to Panera.  First time this year for the bike.  It felt good.

At Panera drank my coffee, ate my baguettes and read the local news.  Ukraine war news still dominates.

It was great being back on the bike.  Total miles biked = 5.60

At home I showered and shaved. Cut my nails and shaved head. How come my left side nails grow faster than right side? My good grooming day.

Nancy was getting ready to attend her 1400 PT session.  I think she has about another month of therapy.  She is also being fitted for a brace for her foot.  

I feed the birds and deer before lunch.  After lunch I drove to Ada Bike to have them make some adjustments to my bike seat.

I took a short nap this afternoon.  Finished the afternoon reading the news.

Nancy fixed bean soup for dinner.  Also an apple and toast.

This evening after the news we watched an episode of “Stay Close”.  I like the show, Nancy not much.

Missy FaceTimed this evening.  She hinted that she and AJ might spend a year in Istanbul.  Stay tuned.

It was still above freezing when I checked the Courtyard before bed.  Cold wave coming.

February 28, 2022

 Monday February 28, 2022

Blog time noon at Panera

Up at 0700.  Nancy spent a restless night because of foot pain. When I got her up she said the pain was gone.  Later she will go swimming at MVP.

I have a 1400 appointment with the Hip Doctor.  Nancy wants to come with me which is probably a good idea.

Today is the last day of February and most meteorologists consider it the last day of winter.  

I did my at home calisthenics, and watched the morning TV news to see what was happening in Ukraine.  Not good but the Ukrainians are sure getting praise for their brave stand.

Oatmeal breakfast before heading to the Y.  The Y was crowded because most folks are on a MWF schedule.  Calisthenics, stationary bike and short walk before shower.  

After Y I drove to Panera.  As usual I ordered coffee with two small baguettes.  Read the local papers, checked email and finished yesterday’s blog before heading home.

Quick lunch and then at 1330 we drove to hip doctor.  Nancy accompanied me into our visit with Dr Johnson.  The Doctor took an X-ray of my left hip.  We reviewed the x-rays with the Doctor.  

My left hip was bone on bone.  After a brief discussion I decided to have the hip replaced.  Surgery is scheduled for May 26.  I was relieved that a decision was made.

We stopped at D&W on way home to buy naan, coleslaw, and bananas.  Also bought a beef sandwich for dinner tonight.

Spent the rest of afternoon catching up on some reading.  For dinner tonight I had the beef sandwich with coleslaw.

We watched the NBC news and then switched to Netflix and watched episode 2 of the Harlan Coben show “Stay Close”.

It was slightly above freezing when checked Courtyard before bed.  The temperature will remain above freezing until late Tuesday evening.

February 27, 2022

Sunday February 27, 2022

Blog time 1900 sitting in living room.

Up this morning at 0700.  Dressed and headed out to Biggby to get our morning coffee.  

The temperature was 30 and will remain in the 30s all day.

Oatmeal with banana for breakfast. 

Left for Trinity Lutheran at 0845.  Church was crowded today.  Trinity this week lifted their mask mandate.  Good news for most parishioners.

After church we made a dry run to the Mid Towne Medical Center.  Tomorrow I have a 1400 appointment at Mid Towne.  Hope I get more info on hip.

We then took a short drive.  North up Beltline to Knapp, east on Knapp to Pettis, south on Pettis to Fulton and then headed to the Cascade Meijer’s.  Bought supplies before heading home.

We enjoy our Sunday morning drives.  Today was no exception. Nice winter’s day.

At home filled up bird feeders and put out more corn for deer.  Before lunch checked my email.  Nothing important.

Light lunch followed by nap.  Spent the rest of afternoon reading the GRP.  The GRP is a failure as a local paper.  Most of the stories are pulled from wire services.  We get our local news from our local NBC TV station.  

For dinner tonight I had toast with peanut butter.  Trying to lose weight.  In the past three months I have gone from 150 to 157 pounds.  

We watched several episodes of 60 Minutes before switching to Netflix.  Tonight we watched episode 1 of a Harlan Coben written mystery “Stay Close”.  So far so good.

Just before dinner I looked out back slider and saw 4 deer in the back yard.  They were eating corn I had put out earlier.

Checked Courtyard before bed.  Everything secure.  

February 26, 2022

 Saturday February 26, 2022.

Blog time 1630 sitting in office

Up this morning at 0700.  Quickly dressed, filled up bird feeders and then headed to the Gathering Place for breakfast. The temperature was in low 20s and will remain in the 20s all day.

Most of folks we see on Saturday mornings eating breakfast are repeat customers.  The food is very good.

After breakfast we drove to Lake Odessa, Mi.  Lake Odessa is a small village in Ionia County.  The Village has several antique stores.  Today the stores are having their “Cabin Fever Sale”.  All items are 30% off.  Because of Covid we missed the sale in 2020 and 2021.  Spent several hours looking around but did not make any purchases.

At home Nancy started the laundry.  I started checking emails and reading the local news.

After lunch  I spent time in office printing off forms for our taxes.  Think I have everything needed to take to our tax accountant.  Our accountant is located on Tahoe within walking distance of our Condo.  You know it is tax season because lately on Saturdays their parking lot is full.

Finished the afternoon with a mile walk.

For dinner tonight we cleared our refrigerator of left overs.  To night we watched an episode of Vera.

Checked Courtyard at 2100 and noted deer tracks in the snow.  Tomorrow I expect to see the corn cobs put out today cleaned of kernels.

We headed to bed about 2100.  Received a joint FaceTime call from both Debbie and Alessandra.  They were amused that us old folks were going to bed so early.  

Technology is great when we can have a three way video call between Long Beach and San Jose, Ca and GR, Mi.  The sound and video were great.

February 25, 2022

 Friday February 25, 2022

Blog time 1150 at Panera

Up at 0700.  We had a nice layer of snow overnight.  About 1.5”.  Our drive was already plowed.  I shoveled the courtyard walk.  Bright sun with temperature of 18. Nice winter’s day.

Nancy headed out at 0800 for her Friday swim.  Later She is having lunch with Carol Masten and Beckie Verker at Schuler’s Book.

Started the day with at home calisthenics, followed by filling up bird feeders.  Breakfast and then left for the Y at 0830.

The classes at the Y today were full.  The body pump classes are very popular.  They look like a great work out.

I just did some calisthenics and a 15 minute ride on the stationary bike.  Shower and headed to Panera.

At Panera I read local paper, checked email and finished yesterday’s blog.  Left Panera at 1230.  Nancy was still at lunch.  I feed the birds and then had lunch.

After lunch I worked on taxes before taking a late afternoon nap.

After the nap I called JT’s pizza and ordered a medium ham and pineapple pizza.  JT’s parking lot was full both with dine in and take out customers.

We watched the news while consuming the pizza.  Today we watched a Netflix movie.  It was called “Foreigner” starring Jackie Chan and Pierce Brosnan.  I liked it.

Debbie and Missy FaceTimed this evening.

Checked Courtyard before bed and everything was quiet.  

This and that:

Several men at the Y are deadlifting over 450 pounds.  Several women can deadline 250# +. That is major league strong.  

I am not a fan of camouflage clothes on women.

Our Governor is up for reelection this year.  She won’t get my vote but the GOP competition is unimpressive. 

Gas prices are still below $4 in MI.

The Alpena News this morning had a photo and story of a man who owns a trucking company.  He was putting a big USA flag on his truck.  He is joining the group of truckers heading to Washington DC.  He said nobody should tell him to wear a mask or get vaccinated and he is protesting.  I don’t get this logic.

I think we should make a stronger response to Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.  How about NATO threatening air support or a naval blockade?

 

February 24, 2022

 Thursday February 24, 2022

Blog time noon at Panera

Up this morning at 0700.  My iPad kept flashing news of Russia attacking Ukraine.  Not good news.

At home calisthenics before breakfast.  Filled up the bird feeders.  The corn in the backyard was untouched.  The temp was in teens so I bundled up before driving to Y.

Nancy left 30 minutes before me to attend a class at MVP.

Kim will be here this morning to clean.  First time in several months.

Once again the Y’s parking lot was full but the individual work out areas were empty.

Calisthenics and rode stationary bike before shower. Drove to Panera for coffee and bagel.  Got out iPad and 

1. read the Alpena News 

2. Checked emails 

3. finished yesterday’s blog and started todays.

Left Panera at 1215

At home Nancy and I headed to the strip mall at the end of 28th Street.  Nancy visited the Dollar Tree and I bought another bag of bird seed at Chow Hound.

This afternoon Nancy has a 1400 PT appointment.  Her foot doctor prescribed physical therapy for her foot and leg.

Quick lunch and then filled bird feeders.  I also picked up corn cobs that had been picked clean and put out new cobs. The area where I put the cobs is steep.  Today I slipped on the ice, no damage. 

The temperature was in mid 20s but the sidewalks and roads were dry.  I pumped up the tires on the Cannondale and took a short bike ride.  It felt good.  I have major league Spring Fever.

No nap today.  Finished the afternoon reading the papers.

Nancy fixed chicken noodle soup for dinner.  Also had a dish of strawberries.  

The news tonight had sketchy reports from the Ukraine.  The President did make a TV address this afternoon.  Kind of tepid.

Tonight we finished the last two episodes of Reacher.  Liked this show.  

Checked Courtyard at 2200 and everything was clear.