Good early morning GH. It is fast closing on 4:00 AM here in our fair city and the current temperature in my spacious office/music room is a world-class 72 degrees. Outdoors, the current temperature is 54 more chilly degrees. We are heading for a high of 72 today, and the chance of precipitation remains low until Thursday, when it increases to 60%. The view out the Weather Window is of necessity, dark, as befits this early hour. Sugar the Weather Dog is sleeping soundly and that means that the forecast must be correct, as Sugar is never wrong when it comes to the chance of precipitation.

Mary and I spent some time in the back forty today. Mary finished her farming activities, at least for today, and I did some cement work on the outdoor entrance to the man-cave. Nothing fancy, but something that I felt I wanted to do as a way of forestalling the ravages of inclement weather.

Mary and I once again journeyed to the big box hardware/home store for some pillows and a new rose bush that Mary feels she needs to complete her flower garden. I tried to convince her that the placement she has planned is a place that a lot of snow gets piled in the winter, but she is adamant. So, she is on her own, because I don't want to take responsibility for plantings in that area.

Our sports report for the day is going to begin with the Bulls, because they surprised me by beating the Miami Heat, 93 - 86. Their next game is Wednesday night.  The boys in blue won a make-up game 9 - 2 over the Rangers. Their next opponent is the St. Louis Cardinals, a team that often has their number. The Red Wings stayed even in their series, with a win over Anaheim. The Tigers had the day off, and they are in first place in their division  as are my beloved Red Sox, who pulled out a win over Minnesota, 6 - 5. The Caps, lost big time to the team from the quad-cities, the River Bandits. Oh well, they are an "A" level team and still learning. I should mention that the Blackhawks lost a game on Sunday to a far more hungry team, from Minnesota. Their next game is tonight.

Otherwise, not much on tap for me today. I have a routine doctor's appointment this morning. Just following up on the results of some recent tests, renewing some prescriptions and that sort of thing. My knees are feeling great and that is as much a function of the treatments that I have been receiving as the warming of the outdoor temperatures. Whatever the cause, I'll take it.

I wish Barb luck in her upcoming bout with knee repair surgery. She has more rehab to face and I can tell you from personal experience, that rehab is hard work. It can take months to get back to where you want to be. There are good days and bad, but I'm sure that Barb knows that.

I was going to mention the trains here in GH, but I forgot. But since the sound of the train horn recently heard in the distance reminded me, I'll mention that the train is now passing by and it consists of two locomotives and several covered hopper and box cars along with some tank cars of unknown content. Not too long, but worthy of note.

One thing about GH in the early AM, is that it gets quiet here in the off-season before the tourists arrive. Plus at this hour, the staffs and denizens of the local saloons are all at home by now, and the early morning wait staffs at the local breakfast places are not yet about.

So, since it will soon be...Tea time and time to get ready for that doctor's appointment, I'll say Ciao for now.