Good morning GH. It is fast closing on 5:00 AM here in "The City." The current temperature is 54 dark degrees as we head down to a predicted low of 51, and a sunny but cool high of 63 later this afternoon. Fall has finally arrived here in the lower peninsula. That means leaves changing colors and falling, less lawn mowing, and also the demise of my need to water and harvest. Given the paltry harvest of tomatoes this year and the very late cucumbers, no real loss.

Speaking of tomatoes, the ones that I received from my barber the other day became stewed tomatoes and tomato bisque soup with more than a little help from Mary yesterday. While I am getting better in the kitchen, I don't anticipate my soloing in the tomato department any time soon. Unlike my world famous squash/kale soup or my interpretation of that old family recipe for banana nut bread, or even my potato and onion soup, tomatoes and I are not yet on speaking terms. We'll get there, much like my whistle, I hope.

As you can imagine, I spent more than a little time in the kitchen yesterday. Between walks, Sugar the Weather Dog was there too, wearing her Sous Dog hat. Since I had to blanch the tomatoes, she didn't get any of them that weren't cool or cooled. That's part of where Mary came in. I used to be able to blanch tomatoes, but somehow along the way I lost that skill. Maybe I never had it. Fortunately, she rescued me before a total disaster. I think I'll get the hang of it again, in fact, by the second blanching I pretty much did.

Suffice it to say that although I haven't yet tried the stewed tomatoes, the tomato bisque soup was and will again be excellent. I anticipate that the squash/kale soup will again be hitting the table as the squash harvest will be in soon. We have a nearby place to get various varieties of squash, potatoes, and onions by the bushel, and that leaves me free to work my magic. I must mention that the one crop that has done well is the kale. I guess that the combination of sun, water, and temperature have been perfect for that crop. So too for the Swiss chard and the horseradish. Aah, horseradish. I'll be harvesting that soon and transplanting some south of here to another local grower.

Today, I will get to more reading and music. Not much else while Mary is chained to her desk working, but Sugar and I will think of her while we are out. I will also get to reheat that soup for my lunch. Perhaps a little time in the "Bone Zone" too.

Speaking of the "Bone Zone," I got bad news the other day. My "Bone Zone" radio has been drifting off station for about two years now, practically since I got it. Since I was not feeling so well at the time, I never dealt with it. I recently inquired about repairs, but since it is out of warranty, it would cost more to repair than replace. Talk about planned obsolescence. More fodder for the landfill.

In sports, the boys in blue fell to the Pirates 1 - 3. The Tigers had the day off as they await the arrival of the Royals today. My beloved Red Sox dropped a close one to the Rays, 3 - 4 while still maintaining an 8.5 game lead over them. I was worried a few weeks back, but they have righted the ship. I'll be busy on Saturday at the Irish Fest in Muskegon, so I won't get my usual dose of college football.

So that's about it for yesterday and today, Ciao.