August 31, 2023

 Thursday August 31, 2023

Blog time 2040 sitting in Den.

Up this morning at 0730.  Did my at home exercise routine.  No breakfast this morning because cleaning folks will be here soon.  

Nancy left at 0830.  Today is her treadmill/stationary bike routine at MVP.

I did some more pickup for cleaners.  Left at 0900 for MVP.  The temp was in mid 50s with bright sun.  Last night I saw the new moon.  Very round and bright.

Pedaled 5 miles to MVP.  Quickly completed chin/pull up exercises.  

Today I had coffee at Forest Hill Foods.  Lately it takes forever to get a coffee.  Most folks order a fruity coffee drink that takes forever to make.  Tomorrow I will return to Panera.  No waiting for coffee.  

I ordered a yogurt parfait with blueberries to eat while reading the Michigan papers.  Headed home at noon.  Total bike miles today, 9.

At home showered and shaved, applied lotion before dressing.  Nancy and I made a quick trip to Meijer’s.  Bought prune juice, cookies, grapes and radishes.

No nap today.  Spent time paying bills. 

At 1630 we attended a Section meeting.  Almost all section members (20) were in attendance.  Big topic was Cook Valley’s recycle program.  What can and cannot be put in recycle bins!  

After the Section meeting Nancy and I attended Happy Hour.  Later we had dinner in the main dining room.  I had salmon and Nancy had the shrimp cocktail.

Tonight we watched “The Red Dahlia”. My new favorite show.

Completed blog.  Will read WSJ before turning in.

August 30, 2023

 Wednesday August 30, 2023

Blog time 1635, sitting in office

Breakfast Club Wednesday, up with 0545 alarm.

Dressed and got in Fusion for trip to Embassy Suite where BC is held.  For first time in several months it was dark so I had to turn headlights on.  Sure sign of Fall.

We had a good turnout today, 23.  The speaker was our leader Paul Chardoul’s Daughter.  She works for UM agency that does polling, political, economic, health, etc.  Good talk.  The downside to BC at Embassy Suites is the food.  It is terrible.  No bread or rolls!

After BC I drove to Forest Hills Food. I was starved for a breakfast roll.  Bought two donuts and sat down to read the Mich papers.  No coffee today I already was saturated.

The local governments still continue to get large amounts of money from the Feds.  The amount of money for mental health in schools seems  staggering.  I think President Biden is steering the USA towards bankruptcy.

After Forest Hills I drove home.  Put on bike clothes and took off on a 9 mile ride.  It was still cool but I was properly dressed.  Encountered no critters on my ride.

After shower I took a short nap.  This afternoon we attended Happy Hour, followed by dinner in main dining room.  We sat with our next door neighbors Dave and Chris Reese.

After dinner Nancy and I walked around our building a distance of 0.45 miles.  The mosquitoes ate us alive.

Tonight we watched another episode of the “Red Dahlia”.  I fell asleep so had to rewatch the last 20 minutes.

The cleaning folks come tomorrow so Nancy and I did some picking up. Nancy is now in bed.  I just finished reading the WSJ so I am heading to bed.

August 29, 2023

 August 29, 2023

Blog time 1645 sitting in office.

Slept in until 0740.  Nancy was already up and getting ready for her treadmill/stationary bike routine at MVP.

Today, except for chin/pull ups I did all my calisthenics at home.  Fixed oatmeal w/blueberries for breakfast.  My weather app said rain possible.  I wore my rain resistant jacket and pedaled the 5 miles to MVP.  Encountered no rain but it was very humid and threatening.  

At MVP I did my chin/pull ups.  It takes about 15 minutes.  Got back on bike and headed to Forest Hill Foods.  Bought bagel and Starbucks coffee before settling down to read the morning papers.

Yesterday was the first day of school for most public schools in Mi.  Hiring mental health pros for schools seems to be the thing this year.  I don’t think we had any when I was in school.  

This and that:

I am so tired of reading about Trump’s upcoming trial.  

Also Kwaye West should disappear.  Who really cares, I sure don’t.

The fighting in Ukraine seems to have moved to the back pages.

The “The Daily Mail” sure likes to pick on the Pres because of his stumbles.

Left Forest Hills and pedaled 2 miles home.  Total bike miles today, 10. It started to pour down rain just as I was finishing my ride.

Showered, shaved and dressed, waited for Nancy to get home from lunch.  Nancy had lunch in the main dining room.  She had quiche.

We drove to Meijer’s so Nancy could pick up a prescription.  We also bought bananas and grapes.  The rain had stopped and the sun was out.

I finished the afternoon with a nap.  Attended Happy Hour and had dinner in the main dining room.  The place was empty.

Tonight we watched another episode of the “Red Dalhia”.  Good show will finish tomorrow.

It is now 2110 and I have Breakfast Club tomorrow.  Time for bed.

August 28, 2023

 Monday August 28, 2023

Blog time 1415 sitting in office.

Good grief the last week of summer already!  Time flies when having fun.

Slept in until 0730.  It was sunny but temperature was a cool 48.

Nancy headed out at 0800 for her Monday swim at MVP.  This morning I did all my calisthenics except pull-up/chin-ups at home.  I had a banana for breakfast.

Put on warm clothes and headed out.  This morning I raised my bike seat 1”.  It makes the bike ride more efficient.  

Pedaled 5 miles to MVP.  I only did the chin/pull up routine,  takes about 10 minutes.  I pedaled 2+ miles to Forest Hills Foods.  Bought a bagel and Starbucks coffee.  Read the Michigan papers.  Both the Alpena News and Detroit News are very limited on local news.  However, it was reported that the Alpena High administration established LGBTQ+ standards.  Can you image such standards in 1952?

Got home at 1245.  Total miles today 10.

For lunch today I had a cup of yogurt with grape nuts covering.  I prefer Fiber 1 cereal but have not been able to find it in stores lately.

I found time this afternoon for a short nap.  Is afternoon napping good?

This date in 1938, Ossineke, Mi.  Great grandfather Sanborn wrote it was Sunday, cool with light rain.  GGF attended the baseball game Ossineke 6, Chalson Hill 5.  Dinner at Laura’s church, 12 in attendance.

It is now 1650.  We will leave for Happy Hour shortly.  Tonight we had dinner with the Paul’s and Reese’s.  Very enjoyable.

We watched an episode of “Red Dahila” on BritBox.  It was good.

It is now 2125, Nancy has headed to bed.  As soon as I finish today’s blog I will read the WSJ and then head to bed.

Nancy called Debbie to thank her for her birthday gift.  It came today.

I just finished reading the WSJ.  WSJ is about the only US paper that is not woke.  I read and enjoy daily.

August 27, 2023

 Sunday August 27, 2023

Blog time 1711 sitting in office.

Slept in until 0730 this morning.  First thing, I wished Nancy Happy Birthday.  Yes folks today Nancy celebrates.  She got greetings from her children, grandchildren and her sister, Peg.  Yesterday my sister, Helen called.  

Yesterday Steve and Veronica sent a fruit basket. I have helped Nancy finish some items especially the chocolate covered apples.

This morning we attended church at Trinity Lutheran.  Big turnout today.  The church blessed kid’s school backpacks. 

The Grandson of Eric Gohkle was baptized.  The two Gohkle brothers and family are from my hometown and they all attended today’s service.

After church we took our Sunday ride through the country side.  Today we headed east to Lowell. Ended up at Panera for coffee and a croissant.

At home I put on bike clothes and headed out on a 9 mile ride.  Today I took my old Cannondale Bad Boy.  It has been several months since I have ridden this bike.  I stayed away from hills.  My new bike the Surly is great on hills because of its 11 speeds.  The Cannondale has only 8 speeds.

After the ride I showered and then took a nap.  We had a light dinner and watched the news. 

Right now Nancy has been talking with her old friend Kathy for over an hour.  As soon as the conversation is over we will resume watching “London Kills”.

This and that:

Last night we had dinner at the “Bone Fish Grill”.  It is kind of an upscale place.  The young women were nicely dressed but the young men wore dirty tees and baggy shorts.  

Teachers are retiring and we have a big shortage.  What has happened.  Can’t blame it all on Covid.  When my sister and Nancy got out of college, teachers were well paid and respected.

I like the looks of the Ford electric Mustang.  Checked the price and it is close to $70,000.  Good news to replace our Escape the cost is $30,000.  I did not think this was bad.

Trump is still the elephant in the room.  I think a strong candidate has to emerge to take on this clown.  Another 4 years of Biden would be terrible for the country.

College football starts soon.  I have no interest.

Nancy spoke with Kathy for over an hour.  We just finished watching “London Kills”.  

It is now 2130 and I am going to bed.  Good night.

August 26, 2023

 Saturday August 26, 2023

Blog time 1717 sitting in office

Woke up early this morning, 0650.  Today is breakfast at the “Gathering Place” day.  We arrived just before 0800 and the place was empty.  We had our standard fare.  Good as usual.  The place was full when we left at 0900.

We took a drive through Ada to see how progress is coming on the new Village.  A hotel, apartments and several new buildings are nearing completion.

On way home we stopped at Meijer’s for laundry soap.  Ended up buying groceries for next week.

Finished the morning getting coffee and croissant at Panera. At home, Nancy started the laundry.  I went on a 10 mile bike ride.

Great day for a ride.  Sun and low 70s with fall colors just starting.

Nancy had a big laundry today.  She was just finishing up when I got home.

Nancy received a birthday fruit basket from Steve and Veronica.  Tonight we are celebrating Nancy’s birthday with dinner at “BoneFish Grill”.

I took a short nap before dinner.  Our reservations were for 1800.  We arrived on time and were seated immediately.  The place was jammed.  Nancy had shrimp and I had rainbow trout with coleslaw and mashed potatoes.  Very good.  For dessert we each had a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Tonight we watched “Who is Erin Carter” on Netflix.  The jury is still out.

It is now 2130.  Nancy is in bed and after I post this blog I will read the WSJ.

August 25, 2023\

 Friday August 25, 2023

Blog time 1615 sitting in office

Up at 0730.  We had tornado warnings last night but the storm appears to have passed.  The temperature was 70 and when looked out window it was cloudy but looked dry.

Our carpets that we had cleaned yesterday are still drying so we put our shoes on outside.  This afternoon the carpet will be dry so we can resume normal activities.

Nancy left early for her Friday swim.  I put on bike clothes and left at 0830 for MVP.  As I was leaving the garage I found out it was misting.  Headed back inside and changed clothes.  Put on waterproof pants and jacket.  Of course as soon as I got on bike the rain had stopped.  Pedaled 5 miles to MVP.  Checked in, put on workout clothes and did my chin-up/pull-up routine and also sit-ups.  The place was crowded so I had to wait my turn.  In the future I will do the MVP exercises at home.  It will be a big time savers.

After MVP I pedaled to Forest Hills Foods.  As a result of last night’s storm the traffic light at Cascade/Forest Hills was out.  Found out that most of East Grand Rapids was without power.

Starbucks must have temporarily lost power because it appeared that they were just back in operation.  So no coffee for me today.  I ordered a yogurt parfait with blueberries.  Read the Michigan papers.  The Detroit News had photos and stories on the damage from last night’s storm. Good news from the Alpena News.  AHS won their first football game.  

On way home the traffic lights were still out because of last night’s storm so it took longer than usual.  Speaking of storm I got a call from sister, Helen, saying how did we survive the storm.  Apparently Paige, Helen’s granddaughter who lives in north Grand Rapids lost power.

Yesterday we got our carpets cleaned.  Today when I got home I moved all the furniture back to its original place.  The cleaner said it takes 24 hour for the carpet to dry.  He was right.

This afternoon Nancy and I attended Happy Hour.  The main conversation was last night’s storm.  Most folk spent the storm sheltered in the basement.  They were shocked that we stayed in our room.

We had dinner tonight with Mike and Suzanne Moore. They lived a block away from us when we lived on Mackinaw.

The Moore’s and Nancy are now playing Mexican Train.  Debbie called this evening and we had a nice talk.

2130 Nancy just got back from Mexican Train.  She had a great time.

I just finished reading the WSJ.  I don’t like the new format. 

I will finish my blog and then head to bed. It is 2200 and 72 outside.  Tomorrow should be a great day sunny with temps in 70s.