TONIGHT, THERE IS JOY IN BEANTOWN!

MY BELOVED RED SOX HAVE WON THE 2013 WORLD SERIES.

CIAO!

Good morning GH. It has just passed 4:30 AM in "The City" and the current temperature is 40 degrees as we head for a high of 52 under mostly cloudy skies. No heavy precipitation is expected until Thursday, but that forecast is for 100%. I can't recall a prediction that high before. We expect a high temperature of 61 both Wednesday and Thursday, but Thursday comes with a prognostication for wind and rain.  So if I am going to do that leaf raking, it looks like Wednesday is the day.

Monday was great for all fans of the Boston Red Sox. On their third and final visit of the season to St. Louis, the Sox took another game from the Cardinals, 3 - 1. That's two out of three, and three out of five. Big Papi is still a force to be reckoned with; he is on fire at the plate. I heard one of the pundits express that pitcher John Lester could be the World Series MVP given his excellent pitching, if it wasn't for Big Papi carrying the Sox with his bat. Maybe they can name two MVPs. Game six is slated for Boston Wednesday night. All it takes is for the Sox to win one out of two in Fenway and the 2013 World Series championship is theirs. Now if next year the boys in blue can be their opponent, I'll be a happy man.

Monday found me on two walks with Sugar the Weather Dog. She was still being needy and that's just one of the problems with being her favorite human. I think we do have a symbiotic relationship. Fortunately, Mary didn't finish her work until late in the day, so Sugar's neediness wasn't a problem. I am going to try to get my part of the work done today, so I hope that Sugar will be patient with me. I'll have to be insistent, but that can be hard given our intertwined existences.

I also went off to the local big box hardware store for that temporary caulk and that experience went great, except that they could use a checkout system that is not on only one end of the store. When you park at one end and the checkout is at the other, it may be good for their sales, but it is not customer friendly. Then I was off to the butcher shop for Swiss cheese and finally home.

Today I'll do my editing after I walk with Sugar. Since I"ll be at my desk, she is likely to be okay, but that remains to be seen. If I tried to work when the weather was bad, she would leave me alone, but I'd feel bad. Otherwise, I'll fit in some laundry and I have a hankering for some scrambled eggs and potatoes for breakfast. I had the potato and celery soup I made the other day for dinner last night. Because I'm not sure that I got the recipe right it tasted good, but it was a bit thin in consistency. However, it may have been intended to be that way. The recipe wasn't clear on how thick it should turn out. My next effort at squash and kale soup with onions is intended to be thin with chunky vegetables, so I know how that will turn out, delicious. That's for another day though.

So that's about it for now. Mary will be working on another project today while I am editing, and then she and I will be jointly inputting my efforts into the finished product. My edit will take from one to two hours and then our joint efforts about the same. Ciao.

Good morning GH. It is just past 3:30 AM in "The City" and the current temperature is 48 degrees as we head for a high of 50 under clear skies. No significant precipitation is expected until Wednesday and Thursday. That means that any raking of leaves will have to be done on Tuesday or early Wednesday.

Sunday was a better day for all things GH. Sugar was on the needy side, but after two walks and a bit of impromptu "Bone Zone" in the mud room, she finally calmed down a bit. She and I spent some chair time in the afternoon, and that seemed to help too. Mary and I have work to do today, so Sugar will have to be more restive. Mary finished up her workday around 6:30 PM on Sunday, and then we set out for a late dinner.

I think her breakfast efforts left both she and I unrequited. Her hopes to make the bananas less banana like didn't go as planned and so I had cereal. Mary ate some of her efforts, but I don't think that even she liked it very much. Sugar didn't seem to mind and ate the leftovers for breakfast. Mary redeemed herself at lunch with an egg salad sandwich which I supplemented with carrots for a side dish. Mary had sauerkraut for her side. Sugar was wondering why her breakfast carrots were being eaten by humans. That girl has a sweet tooth, which is why she was happy to get the bananas that were left over. Adam discovered that Sugar loves bananas when he stayed at our house one week while we were in San Francisco.

I found that extra time again on Sunday afternoon. I didn't watch pro football and I heard later that the Lions won in a final drive 31 - 30 over the team from Washington, D.C. Later I watched part of the Red Sox and Cardinals game which I finished on the radio. Although the Cardinals took an early lead, the Sox won 4 - 2 on a pick-off ending in the ninth which had followed a dramatic three run home run earlier in the game. The series is now knotted at two games apiece with the next game scheduled for St.Louis tonight at 8:07 PM.

One side note. I grow weary of the excessive use of "records" information/announcements by the television organization covering the World Series. I don't need to know that player X is the youngest in baseball history to hit a triple or whatever in the World Series. It may just be me, but just because you can, doesn't mean that you must.

Today is just a couple of walks with Sugar, a possible visit to the big box grocery store in the AM for some essentials and perhaps a stop at our nearby big box hardware store for some temporary caulk to seal the leaky old windows on our 110 year old house. I have heard that the seal is good and that the caulk can be removed in the spring. Since windows don't actually lose as much heat as the window sellers would have you believe, it is just a matter of sealing any gaps through which heat can leave the building. An old house has plenty of those.

Otherwise I have editing to do for Mary this afternoon and that's about it. I figure that we will be getting up early so that Mary can finish up her work before I have to edit, so I should have time for the extra activities in the AM. I should also stop at the local grocers for some Swiss cheese, sauerkraut and yogurt, things you can't get at the big box grocery, at least not the type that we like.

So that's about it. Ciao.

Good morning GH. It is just past 4:30 AM in "The City" and our current temperature is 42 degrees. Brrrr! We are heading for a high of 51 degrees under partly cloudy skies. No precipitation appears imminent until Thursday. This forecast is probably a bit more seasonal than what we have been experiencing. Of course as a newly minted Michigander, this is all new for me. See me in 20 or 30 years and I'll let you know what normal or the new normal is actually like. : - ),

Yesterday went well. In the AM, my knees hurt as usual, but by the afternoon I was able to get outdoors and rake a few leaves. I know from experience that today will be even better. Mary, Sugar and I walked downtown to get a loaf of bread and that was a challenge on that first full day post treatment. Sugar was even being attentive of my less than 100% state. Today I don't expect that she will be as forgiving.

Yesterday saw both Sugar and I in the backyard of the palatial estate. As I noted, I was raking leaves before I sat down to read, while Sugar was in the "Bone Zone." We had both repaired to the outdoors because the Sun was inviting and the thrill was gone from baking my famous banana nut bread. Sugar enjoyed her role as Sous Dog, but she wanted more. She found it in the "Bone Zone."

Mary was working and that left my baby and I to our own devices. I think we used our time well. When I first wrote this sentence it sounded like Yoda speak. I'll leave the structure to your imagination.

I also learned something while I was outdoors. My neighbor was taking pictures of a rose with her phone camera. I just had to ask, "If you don't mind my asking, what are you doing?" She replied, "I got engaged, and I am sharing the good news with my friends on one of the social network services." I changed the name of the social networking service to a generic form to protect my sources. I told her congratulations as I knew this was something that she sincerely wanted. I was assured that we would get an invitation for her St. Valentines's Day wedding. I can't wait.

Today not much on tap. More walking, more reading and that's about it. I will also find time to watch the World Series again tonight, which leads me to some good and bad sports news. In NCAA football, the Northern Illinois Huskies handily defeated the Eastern Michigan Eagles 59 - 20. The Huskies are now 9 - 0 in their conference. Can a bowl bid be far behind? The MSU Spartans also had an easy time with the Fighting Illini winning by a margin of 42 - 3. For a team that has been struggling offensively, that's quite an accomplishment. Of course their offensive showing could be the result of a somewhat inept defensive effort by the Illini.

Now the bad news from St. Louis. My beloved Red Sox fell behind early 2 - 0. However, they tied it up in the top of the fifth and sixth. The Cardinals went ahead again in the bottom of the seventh and then the Sox tied it  up in the top of the eighth. The stage was set for a bizarre turn of events that led to a walk off victory by the Cardinals in the bottom of the ninth. A putout at the plate and then an obstruction call at third led to the winning run scoring. I watched the whole thing. The Sox will get them tonight. By way of information, the Bears are in their bye week and the Lions face off against the Cowboys at 1:00 PM.

So that's about it for now. No trains nor no other exciting events to report. Ciao.

Good morning GH. It is just past 2:00 AM in "The City." We have a current temperature of 50 degrees as we head down to a high of 48. There is a wind advisory in effect until 8:00 AM this morning. Wind gusts may exceed 50 MPH and the waves on the Big Lake could be anywhere from 10 to 18 feet. Falling tree limbs and downed power lines are a strong possibility. Wow! I am surprised that Sugar the Weather Dog is sleeping soundly. I guess that the sound of the wind in the eaves isn't terrifying to her like thunder or fireworks.

Friday afternoon, we went off to the big box hardware store after Mary finished working to pick up the ceiling fans that we ordered on the 13th. What was supposed to be seven to ten days, became 12 days. Oh well, at least they got here. Now I have to arrange for the electrician to come over and install them. I can do lights, but fans require a bit more effort. Plus, I would like him to explore the cost and feasibility of adding a line that is hot all the time. That way the light switch could be used without affecting the fan function. If the cost is excessive, I'll have to make a decision.

Mary's friend left for home about noon yesterday. Mary and she walked downtown for breakfast. I stayed behind to give them more girl time. I couldn't have walked that far anyway. For one or two days after I have my knees treated, the pain is intense. Long term they are better, but the immediate aftermath is painful. Mary's friend was making a long five hour drive, so I hope that everything went okay. I guess that we would have heard if anything had gone wrong. Sugar was hot and cold on her presence. She alternated between barking, sniffing, and ignoring. That is one of the breed characteristics of Corgis. They can be very territorial and they don't back down from a challenge. She was and she didn't.

Today, I may bake my now famous banana nut bread. I have the bananas and the eggs and everything else I need. Plus while Mary is working, Sugar and I can stay out of her way. I am certain that Sugar will be glad to assume her other role as Sous Dog. She is a big help in the kitchen when she knows there is a reward at the end. I get the added bonus of the dishwasher safe bowls being cleaner when they go into the dishwasher. To use a trite phrase, it is a Win-Win.

In sports, my beloved Red Sox face off against the Cardinals tonight. In addition, college football is on the air. That's all good. Other than walking with Sugar, I don't have any plans or desire to go out. My knees need anther day to be fully recovered before the next treatment.

There was a train about 11:30 last night. There may yet be another this AM. The train last night must have been driven by the horn happy engineer. I didn't see it, but I heard it all the way. Right now, I can hear the wind as it whirls past the house. So until it is...Tea time and the Sun rises at 8:12 AM, I need more sleep. Ciao.

Good morning GH. It is just past 4:00 AM in "The City" and the current temperature is 39 degrees with a few showers falling. Yesterday, we had off and on snow showers. Nothing like Wednesday night. Today, the expectation is for a 40% chance of further rain/snow showers, but the high temperature is going to be 51. Saturday shows a forecast of 70% for showers and wind. Sunday the probability drops to 30% with a high temperature of 47.

I did get those lawn and leaf bags out to the curb and they were picked up. I had to spend some time getting the snow off the deck before Mary accompanied me to the orthopedist. Instead of raking leaves, I had to get back to snow removal duties. That made me go to the man cave to bring up the various snow removal tools and the pet friendly salt. I took the lawn mower down to the man cave, and Mary wanted to know what we would do if we needed one more mowing. I told her to plan like we wouldn't.

Speaking of that activity, that came after I go back from the orthopedist and while Mary and her friend were off to Holland. That gave me room to get things in and out of the garage. When she got back from Holland, she wanted to know why I was overtaxing my knees following the latest treatment. I told her, as I always do, that my knees would feel worse today. Plus, the garage being empty is a rare event around here. She had to agree.

Speaking of that orthopedist appointment, he gave me the news on my aching shoulder. Turns out that I have a slight tear of my rotator cuff, which I suspected and bone spurs in the joint itself. It is repairable, though it doesn't have to be right away. If it becomes a full tear, that would entail more extensive surgery. If I have the repair before that happens, my arm would be immobile for five to six weeks and then I could maybe lift a maximum of five pounds for a few months and then it would slowly come back to near normal. The whole recovery would take about a year with extensive rehab. I'm wrestling with the whole idea of surgery at this time. I know it won't get better, but I just don't like the prognosis for either the surgery or its aftermath. I do know that there is no quick fix. He offered that I am "young" at this time and it won't get any easier.

As he was describing the process, the pain became more livable as the minutes passed. I know that's a psychosomatic lessening of that pain, but when you have spent so much time in hospitals, rehab and the like as I have over the past few years, you'd be amazed what the mind can do. It is my belief that the bike crash I had twenty years or so ago, probably started me down this path. I'll keep everyone informed.

Later in the afternoon yesterday, Mary and her friend journeyed downtown and then called me from the post to tell me that Sally was there and she was all alone. So I went down to join them. A couple of Octoberfest ales and it was time for dinner. Mary's plans for the local gyros place were thwarted by the fact that they were closed for remodeling until next Tuesday. That sent us to our second favorite watering hole where they were having Chili dogs, which I decided I didn't want, and then on to our favorite place for more libations, food choices, and brews.

A walk home took a while and then it was time for me to go upstairs and to bed. I listened to the Red Sox and Cardinals on the radio before I fell asleep. I learned later that my beloved Red Sox had fallen to the Cardinals 2 - 4. Two errors on the same play sealed their fate. Games three and four take place in St. Louis on Saturday and Sunday nights.

Fortunately, there is college football coming up. The Northern Illinois Huskies are riding a seven game winning streak in teh MAC 10 conference and welcome Eastern Michigan to De Kalb on Saturday afternoon. Michigan has a bye week, before they journey to meet MSU at the Spartans home field the following Saturday. Speaking of MSU, they kickoff at 3:30 PM Saturday at Illinois, same time as the Huskies.

That's about enough for now. Sunrise will be at 8:11 AM today. The train went by about midnight, so unless I hear another train a'comin, that is probably all for today. Ciao.

P.S., I did hear a train a'comin, twin locomotives just went by heading north about 4:30 AM.

Good morning GH. It has just passed 2:00 AM in "The City" and it is 36 degrees with rain, leaves, and other things falling. Thursday we expect a high of 47, but the chance of showers drops to 30% from 60%, Thankfully none of the forecasts, including  that of Sugar the Weather Dog, includes any thunderstorms.

Mary went out with her friend last might. I was left to my own devices. For me that included Beefaroni, Tater Tots, and baseball. I kept the phone with me as instructed, but after about six hours, I gave up waiting for a call, and went to bed to listen to the end of the baseball game.

Sugar joined me for a walk in the AM and then later for bed. I didn't rakes any leaves, nor get the old bags out to the curb, because it was raining. Maybe today, if I am up early enough, I'll put them down at the curb before I go to the orthopedist. In the old days, I knew when the trash pickup was scheduled by what our neighbor, Mr. Olsen did. I didn't have to worry about when there being no pickup due to a holiday, because his trash would be out there if there wasn't. However, that never included when the actual pickup would occur for the various parts of the trash service. Regular trash was different from the regular recycling and the pickup of lawn refuse. That's the same here, but I don't have any clue as to when the three things happen here, any more than I did in the past.

Today, I have that appointment at the orthopedist to have my semi-annual knee treatments and to get an opinion on my ailing shoulder. I got in some extra music time yesterday in anticipation of bad news. If the news is good, I got in extra practice time anyway. If not so good, I am going to ask if I can put off any surgical intervention until spring. That may seem counter-intuitive, but in the spring, no snow removal nor leaf raking is necessary. A bit of lawn mowing, but Mary can handle that. We have such a narrow driveway, that a regular snow service can't get a plow attached to a truck through.

Once I am done at the orthopedist, my knees take a day to recover, so I won't be doing any long walking until Saturday. That's okay at this time of year. Sugar doesn't much like short walks, but she'll make do with Mary at the other end of the leash. Sugar's walks may just be a bit shorter on Friday.

I hope things went well for Barb during her visit to the doctor.

In sports, the only game that mattered saw my beloved Red Sox downing the Cardinals 8 - 1. Adam sent me an email that the U.S. Marine who sang "God Bless America" during the seventh inning stretch nailed it. I replied earlier, "Yes he did, just like the Sox nailed the Cardinals."

So that looks like about it for Wednesday and Thursday. Leaf bags to curb, doctor's visit, and reading. Mary will be off to Holland with her friend and I will be going to chair with Sugar. Ciao.

P.S. I just had to mention, that the second train of the night just passed by heading north. We had an earlier train about 11:30 PM Wednesday heading south. That one had a more creative engineer who managed to simulate the sound of an old steam whistle with his air horns. This guy just blew the horns as required by law. Ciao for sure this time.

Good morning GH. It is just past 6:30 AM in "The City" and the current temperature is 38 degrees. We are heading for a high of 47 today with similar numbers for the next few days. The chance of showers is 50% - 60% over the next several days. I can't say that this is unseasonable, because it is typically seasonal here in the upper Midwest.

I was going to get to raking more of those leaves yesterday, but I put it off. Oh well, there is always next week. I did manage to get the cleaning done that I planned for Tuesday and that means that I haven't anything to do today. I played some music, cooked that spaghetti squash and in general accomplished all that I had planned. Not bad considering how things often go.

Now if I can just figure out how to get those yard bags out to the curb for tomorrows pickup without having them go into meltdown, I'll be fine. I suppose that it is good that I didn't fill any more.

Otherwise the day requires very little of me. My beloved Red Sox face off against the Cardinals tonight and the games begin in Boston at 7:30 PM. I have all of my fingers and toes crossed for a Red Sox victory tonight and for the World Series as a whole. If I can't have a Cubs or Tigers World Series appearance, I can at least root against the Cardinals. As a Cubs fan of long standing, wanting the Cardinals to lose is part of my DNA by now. That, and not caring what that other Chicago team does if they are not losing. I'm not one of those Chicago natives who wishes that other team well because they are from Chicago. When they won the World Series a few years back, I didn't care.

Speaking of the Tigers, Jim Leyland retired from the manager's job on Monday. He will remain with the organization, a euphemism for leaving and not actually being the manager. At 68 years old, he is entitled to retire. Now, not only are the boys in blue in search of a manager, so are the Tigers. Both teams better get busy. The Reds have already signed Dusty Baker's replacement. The pool will continue to shrink. I know that the Cub's GM is one of those guys who likes to pull a rabbit out of a hat, but time's a wasting.

Mary's longtime friend arrives today. They had planned a pub crawl this evening, but this weather makes that more iffy. I have my plans set for this evening. Beefaroni,Tater Tots, baseball and brews. If this sounds like a typical wife out of the picture scenario, it should. If they decide to stay in, I may have to change my plans and I'd rather not.

Sunrise is at 8:05 AM followed by...Tea time. Good luck to Barb today. Ciao.

Good morning GH. It is just past 1:00 AM in "The City" and the current temperature is 43 degrees under partly cloudy skies. We are heading for a high of 47 under sunny skies by about 2:00 this afternoon. It looks as though the showers will hold off until Wednesday and the snow showers until Friday. The chance of precipitation will be 50% for the three days Wednesday through Friday.

I had an interesting day on Monday. Mary and I walked Sugar the Weather Dog for some morning exercise and then I set off to pick up those prescriptions and stop at the various hardware and grocery stores. At the first stop I was unrequited At the second less so, but not entirely satisfactory. At the final stop I was able to get some things for Mary and get my prescriptions. Then I came home and waded through the installation of the new smoke detectors I had purchased and their associated paperwork. By then, I was spent. Mary asked me to do a tiny amount of work for her, and for that I got to sit at my desk, so I was okay with the request.

I had to get new smoke detectors because the upstairs one started chirping every 30 seconds, an indicator that the detector was defective. I decided to replace both the upstairs and downstairs detectors with ones that had ten year life span batteries. A bit more expensive, but the peace of mind that comes from having to not change batteries made them worthwhile.

Today, not much is planned. I will get that spaghetti squash in the oven, and have it for dinner. I will get the bathroom cleaned for Mary's guest. Speaking of bathrooms, I decided that the faucet aerator in the upstairs bathroom needed cleaning. I got it apart, cleaned it, and then couldn't get the parts to go back together correctly. I finally removed what I determined to be a restriction plate and voila, the faucet now flows freely and fully. But now I can't run the faucet at Talladega in a NASCAR race. I couldn't pass the post-race inspection. Oh well, those are the breaks.

Somewhere in the course of the day, Mary came in to tell me about a shooting at a school in Nevada. The young shooter wounded two students, killed a teacher and then himself. Mary told me that she knew that I would probably have done the same thing when I was teaching, try to protect the students. She knows that somewhere there is a widow and maybe children who are grieving just as she would. I know that teachers are like that, they think of their students before themselves. I grieve for the young shooter, the teacher, and his family. There are no winners in this type of situation, just regular people who do what some call heroic deeds.

So that's about enough for today. Time for some sleep. Ciao.

Good morning GH. I think I'll keep the time of this blog a deep dark secret, because I don't know that it adds anything to the overall efficacy of my efforts. That being said, I still feel that the weather is an important part of this blog, so that will stay.

We are currently at 58 degrees as we head down towards today's high of 47. That doesn't always happen, but it is that time of year. Showers are still in the forecast, and Sugar the Weather Dog is occasionally rocking her hide-e-hole, so it is very likely that the fronts are on the move. I suppose that the falling temperatures are also a good sign, but I'll take Sugar's forecast as more accurate.

Sunday found Sugar, Mary and me on a walk downtown to get some exercise. One of the great things about having a dog is that they force you up and out. That is unless the weather causes them to not want to leave the house. When we returned, I did what I had promised and nearly finished my book. I still have a few chapters to go, but I'll get those read this AM. I also got the laundry done.

However, I didn't hold fast to my promise to skip the leaf raking. With Mary's help, we got quite a number of bags filled. Plus, Sugar got to be out on her tether as we worked. While out, Mary discovered an entire new use for our trusty ice scraper that we had to fight to get last winter. We had invasive weeds growing in cracks in the driveway and she learned that a little judicious scraping made those pesky weeds go away. I knew we needed something, and she found it. Unfortunately, there are many more bags to be filled; but every little bit helps. I also spent all of three minutes covering up the outdoor A/C unit.

Afterwards, we walked downtown for another thing I had promised not to do, watch a little bit of pro football. We wish we hadn't. Simply put, Lions L. Bears L. Neither game was a defensive struggle and it even cost the Bears their starting QB, at least for this game. I'm betting he is out longer. He's a tough guy, but he isn't superman. On Saturday, Michigan romped over Indiana, and MSU defeated Purdue. A bad day for teams from Indiana, except for Notre Dame. I like this new way of reporting without scores.

Once home, I did more reading and Mary interacted with her computer. A light supper and then I was ready for bed. Mary never seems to need sleep. I think that's because when she does go to bed, she really sleeps, whereas when I go to bed, I am never really sleeping, it just seems that way. Alas, that's been my pattern for years.

Today, I'll finish my reading and then return that book. I have a non-fiction book on the first amendment that I want to get to. I think I'll do that while Mary is working. Tuesday, I have to do a little light house cleaning, as Mary has an out of town friend visiting for a couple of days starting Wednesday. Since I cleaned deeply last week, I won't have to work too hard at it. I also have to go to the pharmacy to pick up a few prescriptions. That's about 20 minutes out of my day.

The best part about that impending visit by Mary's friend, is that I have my meals all planned out. Beefaroni and Tater Tots for dinner. I'd like to take credit for that menu, but I got the idea from a guy in a bar in Key West, FL. His wife was going out of town and he happily announced that he could eat his two favorite foods to his heart's content while she was gone. Mary won't be gone, but since I was the one at the grocery store the other day, I was able to plan my meals. She did tell me that I could accompany she and her girlfriend on their rounds, but I think they need a little girl time without me.

That's about it for my day. I may make that spaghetti squash for tonight's dinner, but that is just riving it and seeding it before it goes in the oven. After the squash is nearly done, I'll heat up the pasta sauce I made and froze last August. Remove the pulp from the squash, pour on the sauce, and I am done. Dinner is served.

Ciao.

Good morning GH. It is just past 6:30 AM here in "The City," and the current temperature is 49 degrees under fair skies. The Weather Channel app is predicting showers and windy conditions for Monday and then the same for Tuesday, except that they have added that dreaded word snow, to the forecast. Wednesday doesn't look any better. So maybe if I am patient, the leaves will use a nature supplied leaf blower and simply be gone from the palatial estate. In any case, I'll wait to see what happens.

I thought that I might start with the sports report early on and then get to the rest of the news later in this blog. The immortal Yogi Berra once said, "It ain't over til it's over." Well, the fat lady has sung and Mighty Casey has struck out. In short, wait til next year is now the slogan for the Tigers too, as they fell to the better team last night 2 - 5, the Boston Red Sox. Earlier in the season, I was lamenting that the bats of the Red Sox had gone to sleep. Now I think that the slumber in the lumber infection must have also transferred to the Tigers. The Prince, Miggy, and most of the team had only one game in which they were able to score a large number of runs.

The Red Sox also needed two grand slam home runs to win two games, so a case of slumber in the lumber is still infecting their bats too. Facing the Cardinals whose bats never went to sleep, is going to be tough for the Red Sox in the World Series. I want the Sox to win, but it is not going to be a "can of corn," to use an old baseball phrase made popular by the immortal Vin Scully. While that phrase is actually in reference to a lazy fly ball or pop up in baseball, I think it helps to sum up the chances for the Red Sox against the Cardinals.

I was reminded of that phrase that I first heard when I was about 12 or 13 years old. I was playing Little League baseball and one of the other players used it. The actual derivation seems to be from the nineteenth-century in reference to the seeming fact that corn was the most popular canned vegetable on a grocers shelves. They would stack it on the shelf for easy take down with a hook. The can of corn fell off the shelf and was easily caught in the pocket of the grocer's apron, thus an easy catch in baseball became a "can of corn." A bit of history for those who care.

On Saturday, we walked to the farmer's market in the AM, of which only one more remains on Saturday and two more on Wednesdays. Then the season is over. We'll have to "wait til next year." To get corn, we'll have to go to the grocer's and get a can of corn. I couldn't resist. Afterwards, Mary worked, I read the paper and then I was off to the Irish Jam at the library.

Once I returned, we set off to the post for the Fall Fest. The weather cooperated at first, but then the front came through and like the Three Little Pigs, it nearly blew the house down. But we survived, had dinner and listened to music, and then it was time to walk home.

Today, as I noted above, I won't be raking the wet leaves, but I will be doing the laundry. It seems to have piled up quickly this time. Sugar and I will be walking, but that almost doesn't need mentioning. I'll finish the book I have due on Monday and that will be my day. Perhaps I'll bake some spaghetti squash, but that's a meal time decision. Pro football is unlikely, because it just isn't baseball.  I'll have to wait until the first World Series game on Wednesday. As we should all know, baseball is life.

Wow, it is almost...Tea time. Ciao.

Good morning GH. It has just passed 2:30 AM in "The City" and the current temperature is 50 degrees under mostly cloudy skies. The day promises to be cloudy most of the morning and afternoon, except for a brief period between one and three PM as we head for a high of 53. That just happens to correspond with my attendance at the Irish Jam session this afternoon. That's good when you are carrying your ax for a few blocks each way. This may truly be an example of the Luck of the Irish.

Later, when we plan to journey to the Fall Fest, the weather looks a bit more dicey. This may turn out to be the first and last annual Fall Fest in GH. Had the fest been held last weekend, the weather would have been perfect. Here in GH the weather is generally agreeable, but it does seem that the rain falls mainly on celebrations, fund raisers, and the like. That's just a superstition.

I learned something I think, about over watering container plants in my garden. I am now getting sweet peppers in abundance. Prior til now, I got just one. Since I haven't been watering and just letting the rain take care of the plants they seem to be happier. I live and learn. Since I used to have an expansive garden with a great southern exposure at our old house, I watered and the water dissipated into the surrounding soil.

With containers, that doesn't happen and so plants that require more or less water are more sensitive. I think I'll try again next growing season and be more judicious in my watering. That, or I'll find a way to plant things where they get the right amount of sunlight and the rains will take care of the watering. Since we have so much shade here and no good southern exposure it will be difficult. But I'll find a way.

Early on Friday found Mary, Sugar and me on a walk to the small box grocery store to get some cheese for Mary's now famous meatless Reuben sandwiches. Along the way, we encountered too many loose dogs for our liking. Sugar is always on guard and that means that she wanted to get in the face of those other dogs. She doesn't understand why she can't run across the street to meet them. It makes the walks more challenging, but that's why she is on a leash for her protection and the protection of our human psyches.

When she and I were in my chair reading later, she looked out the window and saw a man walking by on the sidewalk in front of our house. She had to go to the door to bark at him. She is nothing if not protective of us, the house, and "The City" in general.

Later Friday found me at the big box grocery store. The prices were good as always, but the crowds were think too, as always. But I had a plan and I stuck to it. I stopped in the pharmacy area for some aspirin and I had hopes of finding one other thing. When I didn't, I quickly sojourned to the other side of the store where the groceries are and using my list, I got everything that I planned to get and a few things I didn't plan on.

I should mention that I had already stopped at the Goodwill donation center for a drop off and then took our cans to the medium box grocery store for redemption. 75 cans takes a while, but the redemption center at the bog box grocery store is just too annoying.

Checkout went smoothly and then home for that previously mentioned reading with Sugar. I was summoned by the boss to go upstairs to help with her latest project that never ends, but she finally had to stop and request further instructions. I have never seen her so frustrated by a project as this one. I can't tell you more, but let's say that if she could, she would have this project be magically over, now.

Today the Irish Jam, the stop at Fall Fest later, and that's about it. I think that's enough. We may go to the farmer's market with Sugar for our morning walk, but that depends on the precipitation. I walked a lot yesterday and I am about walked out.

A quick sports report. The Cardinals dispatched the Dodgers 9 - 0 to advance to the World Series against either the Tigers or my beloved Red Sox who play later this afternoon just after 4:00 PM. College football should be interesting as Northern Illinois plays Central Michigan at 3:00 and the Spartans kick off with the Purdue Boilermakers at 12:00 PM. The Wolverines play the Indiana Hoosiers later at 3:30.  Locally, the GH Buccaneers are not having the greatest season. But that's okay, they are giving it their all.

Oops, I thought that I had missed it, but the train just passed by at 3:30 AM. A longer one this time. So, now I am done being long winded and it is time for bed, again. Ciao.

Good morning GH. It has just passed 3:00 AM in "The City" and the current temperature is 56 degrees under mostly cloudy skies. I have to accept that part of the forecast, because as I sit here in the Weather Center, the view out the window is...dark. Since what I have to consult are both analog and digital instruments here in the Weather Center, the prognostications of Sugar the Weather Dog, and the weather projections of the National Weather Service as interpreted by the Weather Channel App., I'll have to go with that forecast.

At about 2:30 AM, our regular northbound train rolled by pulling the usual contingent of mostly covered hopper cars. These trains go by either heading north or south about the same time each morning. Sometimes they are as early as 12:00 AM and sometimes as late as 5:00 AM, but they almost always go by. I still wonder what is beneath the opaque tops of those cars as they go by. Only the shadows know.

Thursday found the day opening with rain and a reluctant Sugar the Weather Dog not wanting to go out. Together we finally went out around noon, and she was quick about her business. She really doesn't like the water that falls from the skies. I can't seem to convince her that the longer she stands by a tree, pole, or fire hydrant sniffing, the wetter she will get. She seems unable to connect getting wet with being outdoors for extended periods. The one bright side is that she went out when we all first got up, she was able to figure out that she was on the wrong side of the chair in which she had become entangled and reverse her course to free herself. When necessary, she can think things through and make adjustments in her behavior, except for why she is getting wet. It is a good thing she likes the snow, except for that cold paws thing. But we are working on it.

Mary made egg salad sandwiches for lunch as Sugar and I walked before I went out to the local health food store after walking with Sugar. That allowed Mary to have sauerkraut to use as a side dish. She then went back to work while I read. Later we went downtown for dinner and stopped at the post for a quick one. Once home, a little TV and then bed time for me around 10:30 PM.

Today, more walking, more reading, and more casual dining. Other than walking with Sugar, I hope to stay in. If I don't play more music, my shoulder may feel okay for Saturday's Irish Jam Session. Yes, my shoulder is seemingly hurting more each day. I am holding out hope for a quick and easy solution from the doctor, but somehow I doubt it. I'll do what I must so that my golden years are pain free. Thank the deity for health insurance and a good orthopedic doctor and hospital nearby. That was one of our criteria, as suggested by Adam, when we chose our retirement home, access to quality health care.

On Thursday, the Tigers fell to my beloved Red Sox 3 - 4. Now I have at least one more game until the World Series opens for one of my two teams. With a little luck and skill on the part of the Tigers, I'll get a full seven games before then. Their next game is Saturday afternoon at 4:00 PM EST. The Cardinals and the Dodgers have a 3 - 2 record going into their next game tonight at 8:37 PM EST. I still want the Dodgers to win.

That's about it for now. Time for more sleep as I await...Tea time and sunrise, not necessarily in that order. Ciao.

Good morning GH. It is fast closing on 3:30 AM in "The City" and the current temperature is 52 degrees under cloudy skies. As the day progresses, the chance of precipitation increases from 10% til it peaks at 60 % at 2:00 this afternoon. Just enough to be annoying and to stop the raking of leaves. We anticipate that our high temperature will peak at 54 degrees as we fast forward the day.

Speaking of raking leaves and the rainy skies, I have four bags of leaves on the front porch. I didn't want to put them out last night because they tend to get wet and fall apart in the rain. So I am hoping that I will be up early enough to put them out this AM. If not, there is always next week.

On Wednesday, I finally got around to processing my horseradish crop. I replanted some of the roots, saved some for Adam and Steph, and processed the remaining amount. After thorough washing and sectioning, I put the roots into the blender and added some vinegar and salt.  A flip of the switch, a bit of stirring with a rubber spatula, and voila, ground horseradish. I used to spend hours with a grater and getting the effects of horseradish tear gas to produce what Mary's high powered blender did on minutes. She was right. If you buy a good blender in the beginning, you get what you pay for. We did, and it proved its value once again.

Speaking of the processed product, the resulting blend is nothing short of really hot. If like me, you like it hot, this is for you. When Adam was younger and his nose was stuffed up due to allergies or a cold, he'd grab the horseradish from the refrigerator and take a good long pull. Whatever was blocking his sinuses would clear right out. This stuff will have the same effect on him now, only faster.

For breakfast/lunch, brunch if you will, while I walked with Sugar the Weather Dog, Mary made veggie hot dogs with couscous. Chopped onions, mustard, sauerkraut, with celery seeds and we had a superb lunch. As they should be, our dogs had no ketchup/catsup just like in Chicago.

Mary worked all afternoon while I played music. When it was time for diner, she got out that deadly chef's knife that tried to kill her last time she used it. I told her she should be sure to get out her chain-mail gloves before starting. She assured me that she was going to be more careful this time. The resulting tuna casserole was once again excellent, even without the addition of her finger tip in the finished product. : - ). She felt there was a spice that she should have added, but I don't recall what it was. Tasted fine to me.

One needs to be careful when commenting on a recipe. As Mary has always says, "If you don't like something, tell me now or it will be back over and over." So I am pretty careful to tell the truth when something is lacking. I recall a friend of mine from childhood who once tried his mother's homemade bread. When asked, he told his mother, who had spent the entire afternoon sifting, stirring, rolling, kneading, and baking that it tasted almost as good as the store bought bread. Not a smooth move as I recall.

Today, I have no additional plans. I got those storm windows exchanged earlier on Wednesday after I had processed the horseradish, so I have nothing pressing. I don't know how much music I'll play as my shoulder is aching from all that strumming yesterday. Adam is right, I need to get it repaired now before I am too old. : - ). I'll get that opinion on the 24th. So I think that after Sugar takes me for a walk, I'll spend some time reading in my chair downstairs. Mary will work, maybe she'll cook, and I'll enjoy her efforts.

In sports, the Tigers defeated my beloved Red Sox handily, 7 - 3. Jake Peavy fell apart early for the Sox. The series is now tied at two games apiece. Game five is tonight at 8:00 PM. The Cardinals fell to the Dodgers 4 - 6, extending their series another game. By the by, I stand corrected. The League Championship Series games seven games, not five. So I still have a chance for the Dodgers to pull out the National League pennant. I also have at least two more games before I have to takes sides in the American League series. It can be tough to wear two rally caps in the same game.

Looks like that about it for Wednesday and Thursday. Tea time awaits as does more sleep. Ciao.

Good morning GH. It is just past 2:00 AM in "The City" and the current temperature is 58 degrees, as we head for a high of 57. A few showers are still on tap for later today at 30% and then about the same for the balance of the week through Sunday. It looks like it will be about 53 on Saturday with rain showers during the Fall Fest here in GH. Actually not bad for late October, but it seems as though the post can't catch a break.

Tuesday I accomplished all I set out to do. House cleaning, check. Laundry, check. Walking with Sugar the Weather Dog, check. Going to our favorite watering hole to watch the Tigers lose to my beloved Red Sox, 0 - 1, check. Being disappointed that the Cardinals went up 3 - 1 versus the Dodgers in their series, check. I got in just a touch of music, but not so much. The Tigers and the Red Sox face off again tonight. Here's hoping that the Tigers get it together and beat the Red Sox. I know, I love the Red Sox, but I like the Tigers too, so having  the series go the full length is fine with me. When the last pitch is thrown and the last out is made, I will still have a winning horse in the race. What's not to like?

Today, just walking with Sugar the Weather Dog and playing some music. I still have to finish the newspaper from Tuesday, and of course get one for today. That goes with walking with Sugar, so I should have no problem there.

No leaf raking today as the leaves will be too wet. I need to get a couple of storm windows out of the basement and put them into the front door and the window in the dining room respectively, but that won't take long. I like it when things are done and I don't need nor want any additional tasks.

Best wishes to Barb. She is fighting the good fight and I know she will win. She has so many good things in her life with children, grandchildren, a lot of great friends, and a great place to live. Like I always say, what's not to like?

A train went by about 1/2 hour ago, but it wasn't a long one. No matter what is going on in the world, the trains keep moving commerce in the U.S.A.

Tea time awaits as does additional time in bed. Ciao.

Good morning GH. It is nearing 10:00 AM in "The City" and the current temperature is 51 degrees. Sugar the Weather Dog has not yet felt a disturbance in the force, so that means that the T-storms are still a ways off. In fact, if the weather channel app is to be believed, we have nothing to fear until one or two this PM.

I awoke this AM to good news from the neurosurgeon's office. They called to tell me that the doctor had read the results of my recent MRI and there is nothing to see. We'll see you next year, same time, same channel. That means that whatever the cause of my headaches, I'll have to look elsewhere.

Yesterday, I harvested the horseradish and the cauliflower, It looks like the cauliflower had gone around the bend so I had to send it to that great garden in the sky. The horseradish was perfect and so I have saved some for the pot, some for Adam and Steph to grow, and the rest to be ground into the elixir of life.

I also raked leaves and now I have four bags full. I know there are many more to come, but it is a start. Since we no longer have curbside vacuuming of leaves in the fall, I have to rake the curb areas too. Let's see, we saved money by not picking up the leaves, but we have money for other pet projects. I guess it depends on who has the reins of government.

That was about it for yesterday. I watched the Dodgers defeat the Cardinals 3 - 0 and that is all good, unless you are a Cardinals fan. This afternoon, the Tigers and my beloved Red Sox face off once again, this time in Detroit, to see who will eventually emerge as the AL champion to face the NL champion. Here's hoping that's the Dodgers. I still haven't decided on the AL champion I want to see crowned, but I don't have to just yet.

Today, time for housecleaning, laundry, and music. When you feel on top of the world as I do now, you just have to do housework. At least I do. Go figure. Tea time awaits and then a walk with the intrepid Sugar the Weather Dog. Ciao.

Good morning GH. It is just past 2:00 AM in "The City" and the current temperature is 48 degrees under clear skies. Our high today is expected to be 64 and then on Tuesday, 67 with a 100% chance of showers/T-storms. Looks like I better get that harvest in today. Cauliflower and horseradish are the only crops in need of harvest and mostly just the cauliflower. It depends on how much energy I want to expend in one day.

Sunday we took a ride to the big box home store to order a couple of ceiling fans for the upstairs media and music/office rooms. We also got Halloween candy that came with a rebate and a new lamp for my desk. I also got a new electronic device, a set of speakers with a sub-woofer for my computer. The lamp works fine and actually helped me to organize my desk. We also took advantage of the sale on yard bags and stocked up. We may not use them all this year, but they can sit on the shelf in the garage for next year.

After our stop at the big box store, we took a drive into the country where we got two small pie pumpkins for our Halloween decorations. Once they have served their duty by the front door, they will become a pie or soup. A terrific re-purposing of one of the fall crops.

Once done cruising, we headed for home and caught the end of the Lions game at a local tap. Although the Lions were behind in the first half, they turned it up a notch in the second half and won handily. 31 - 17. We headed for home and a short stint of TV before I got tired and went to bed. I tuned in the Tigers and Red Sox on the radio and then promptly fell asleep. However, I awoke just in time to hear Big Papi hit a grand slam to tie the game and then in the bottom of the ninth, the Tigers couldn't hold on and let in the winning run for the Red Sox who won, 6 - 5. I am feeling good since both of my teams are tied. Trouble is, those pesky Cardinals have a 2 - 0 game lead in their series.

So today, more highlighting, more walking with Sugar the Weather Dog and more music, along with that harvesting. I have to call the neurosurgeon again too, to try to get those MRI results.

No trains as of yet and it is still dark out. Tea time awaits in just a few short hours and then the day begins anew. Ciao.

Good morning GH. It is just past 4:30 AM on this chilly morning. Quite a change from yesterday. 57 degrees is not 65 under clear skies. We are anticipating a high of only 63 today in "The City. So while walking and enjoying the beautiful weather yesterday was great, this day feels more like indoor time and a cup of hot cocoa. Sugar enjoyed her morning walk to the farmer's market and we enjoyed just being alive.

Yesterday in the AM, after we had walked with Sugar the Weather Dog, we went over to the public safety department to see what was happening at the open house. The kids were enjoying a ride on the fire truck, using a hose to extinguish a pretend fire, and painting faces on small pumpkins in the house where the fire engines usually rest between trips. There were squeals of delight. Both Mary and I think that this is a great way to introduce the kids to members of the public safety department. Plus, they got cotton candy, popcorn, and hot dogs to eat, with water to wash it all down. What's not to like as a kid?

Once afternoon rolled around, we were restless, so Sugar got another walk and then we headed downtown for some football viewing. Unfortunately, Michigan lost to Penn State in four OTs, 40 - 43. Earlier in the day, MSU beat the Hoosiers of Indiana 42 - 28. The Northern Illinois Huskies defeated the Akron Zips 27 - 20 to go to a 7 - 0 record. Pity poor Northwestern, they were trounced by the Wisconsin Badgers, 6 - 35.

Better news in baseball, the Tigers won their game, 1 - 0, over my beloved Red Sox. Both teams play again tonight. I still have hope, plus I can't lose with two teams in the hunt. Now I have to lament that the Cardinals once again defeated the Dodgers, this time by a tiny margin of 1 - 0, to go up 2 - 0 in their series. As a lifelong fan of the boys in blue, I just can't cotton to the Cardinals.

Today promises to be relatively quiet for Sugar, Mary and me. More music, more highlighting, more walking, and more baseball tonight. In short, perfect. I don't have the energy for much more today, having walked over 15 miles the last three days. While that isn't much for some, at my advanced age that can be more than I want prior to my knee treatments. I hope that Barb is doing well with her course of treatment. I don't look at the social website that she frequents much, so I don't really know.

So barring a major life change, I'll leave with thoughts of...Tea time dancing in my head. That and more sleep. Ciao.

Good morning GH. It is just past 2:30 AM here in "The City" and the current temperature is 59 degrees under clear skies. The chance of showers begins to rise about 1:00 PM with a temperature of 71 and a 30% risk of showers as we head for temperatures in the mid-seventies with the chance of showers climbing to 70%.

It seems as though the temperatures of yesterday will parallel today, but the showers will be arriving as the day progresses. Mary and I just had to get out for a walk along the water-front and take the time to enjoy the day. You never know how many there will be at this time of year. That followed taking Sugar the Weather Dog over to the dog park a few blocks from here. She had the opportunity to "mingle" with a few new friends and run herself ragged. We always have to stop her because she doesn't self-regulate when she gets tired from running her short legs off.

Sugar can keep up with the bigger dogs, but it takes a lot of energy to do so. As always, there was a dog who wanted to establish the pecking order, and that just further stimulates Sugar's need to run. But long legged dogs versus a short legged dog leads to total exhaustion. When Mary and I went out for our walk, Sugar was lying in her downstairs beg sound asleep.

We walked to the main drag here in town, stopping in a couple of stores. We didn't buy anything, but the weather made that unnecessary. Friday was just one of those days when we say, "It doesn't get any better than this." I loved being back in my summer uniform and I know that I won't get all that many more chances to do that this year. We may have walked too much, but I feel okay, so that means that it wasn't too far.

We split a great wet bean burrito at our alternate watering hole and then off to the post to see Sally. Friday is euchre night at the post, and they were also setting up for a Saturday afternoon/evening wedding reception. Lots of people there. I think the showers will hold off for the noon outdoor wedding. The reception is scheduled for 3:00 until 9:00 PM on a drop in basis. Hors D'oeuvres and an open bar trended by Sally should make for a great time. We had a quick adult beverage while there and I dropped a quarter into the jar on the bar and won a free adult beverage. I also got a national parks quarter for one of my collections that Sally had saved for me. She knows that I am collecting and she keeps her eyes open. We'll have to make her holiday gift extra special this year. I'm not sure what, since I don't make things in a wood shop anymore. We'll work on it.

That was about for Friday and after a bit of TV viewing I was ready for bed. Unfortunately that means that I get up in the wee hours to do this blog. I think I'll use some of my "extra" time to do some highlighting for the boss.

In sports, the Cardinals took 13 innings to dispatch the Dodgers 3 - 2. Tonight the Tigers face off against my beloved Red Sox at 8:00 PM. I'm fairly certain that the television people would prefer an East Coast versus West Coast match-up for the World Series. Of course, they might like the Tigers to represent the American League from the mid-west. Most likely the Red Sox offer better revenues for advertising on TV.

Lot's of college football today and that makes for a great day of sports viewing. Michigan visits Penn State, MSU is visited by Indiana for the 500th game played in the Spartans stadium. Northwestern travels to Wisconsin and the Northern Illinois Huskies host Akron as the Huskies go for their sixth straight win.

The Blackhawks defeated the Islanders 3 - 2 and welcome the Buffalo Sabers tonight. The Red Wings, now in the Atlantic Division of the NHL, face the Philadelphia Flyers tonight too. I know that the league is trying to achieve a balance, but the Blackhawks and the Red Wings are two of the original six teams in the NHL and they belong together. My barber and I agree on that one.

I have to mention that I got excited at about 7:00 PM Friday when I heard a train whistle. I raced to the GH channel just in time to see, a lone locomotive sporting the new livery of the Mid-Michigan Railroad and no cars. I thought to myself and said out loud to Sugar, "That's not a train, that's a disappointment." But I'll take what I can get right in front of our house.

Time for some highlighting, soon to be time for bed, and then...Tea time. Ciao.

These were the best of times, these were the worst of times. My apologies to Charles Dickens, but his words seemed apropos to the latest happenings in major league baseball. My beloved Red Sox must face off against the Detroit Tigers in the American League Championship Series. Only one can emerge as the eventual pennant winner. Following a 3 - 0 victory over the As, the Tigers must now go through the Red Sox to reach the World Series. They begin their series on Saturday at 8:00 PM. I guess in one way I can't lose. I have a horse in the race. Since I can't root for the Cardinals of the National League, I have to go for the eventual American League winner. That's better than being a Cubs fan and having to wait until next year.

In any event, I started out with sports because I never do. It is just past 1:30 AM here in "The City" and the current temperature is 54 degrees under clear skies. No precipitation in the forecast until the 70% on Saturday. Temperatures look to be in the 70s for today and tomorrow. Sugar the Weather Dog will want to go for a long walk today, and I'll be happy to oblige her.

As I mentioned in my previous blog, Thursday was my day for doctor's visits. All went well. Podiatrist, internist, MRI. However, after a flu shot in my left arm and the dye injection in my right, both of my arms are sore. I am reminded of that old joke, where a comedian says, "I just flew in from (fill in the blank) and are my arms tired." I did get to ask the doctor who administered the dye a question when he said, "You'll be sore for one or two days, but then you should be able to resume your regular activities." I just had to ask, "Will I be able to play the piano?" He assured me I would, to which I replied, "Funny, I couldn't before."

That's an old one, but I'm an old guy. Of course he had to wear a lead apron to avoid the effects of x-ray exposure and I just had to say, "Yes, you don't want to glow in the dark." I liked his bedside manner.

Today, I don't anticipate doing much of anything. I just don't have the strength. I do have to call the neurosurgeon's office, again, to see if he has had time to read the latest MRI on my head. But other than walking with Sugar, that's about it. I'll do more highlighting for the boss, because that requires very little in terms of physical strength.

A quick mention that the train flew by about an hour ago. I say flew, because the speed with which the horn faded into the distance told me that he was making good time as he headed north.

I hope that all of the important people in our lives are doing well. Too many to mention, but you know who you are. My bed awaits. It will be...Tea time soon enough too, and then a walk in the park with Sugar. Ciao.

Goods morning GH. At just after 4:00 am, it is currently 55 degrees as we head for a sunny high of 73. No showers expected until Saturday. Looks good for both Sugar the Weather Dog and me.

On Wednesday, our entire little family traveled to the farmer's market for some produce. I needed some apples and tomatoes and Sugar needed a walk. Once we returned, I just kept on walking over to the barber shop and then to the local grocery story to get all of the things that I needed for my afternoon's activities.

Once we get back, Mary made fried green tomatoes and grilled cheese sandwiches for lunch. Then she went off to her office for work and Sugar and I repaired to the kitchen for some plain and fancy cooking. I had to sandwich in some laundry and dish washing since we had exhausted the supply of napkins and tableware.

Sugar in her customary role of Sous Dog, as usual, was a great help. First we made my world famous banana nut bread and got that in the oven. Sugar helped with the clean-up phase of the activities. Next, we began work on my soon to be famous potato, celery, and onion soup. The recipe was in a cookbook that Mary had on her shelf and I followed it exactly. Once the potatoes were washed and made ready, the rest of the preparation went smoothly. I have to say that the peeling of garden fresh potatoes, some the size of olives, took extra time.

Sugar and I finished and I sampled the results and I pronounce them good. However, I am not necessarily a good judge, because if it is soup, I am probably going to like it. Sometimes I wonder why I didn't like my mother's split pea soup. It is probably because my mother was often kitchen challenged, unlike Mary. Mary's creative side seems to emerge more all the time. I am impressed. Everything went smoothly, the soup was placed in jars for storage, and I even used the new knife with no wounds.

I was feeling good until it came time to put things away after I cleaned up. One of the chopping knives in the utensil drawer, the one with the twin blades, attacked me. Not as bad as the chef's knife that attacked Mary, but enough to make me a worse typist this morning with a band-aid on my finger. Fortunately, all of the first-aid supplies I procured for Mary the other day came in handy.

I got the laundry put away, and by then it was time for Mary to try out that recipe that I was going to do for eggplant Parmesan. Mary is right, I am learning, but this recipe was/is past my current skill level. After a little dual prep, and some baking time, we sampled our efforts and I pronounce them nothing short of fantastic. This one is a keeper, and another demonstration of Mary's skills in the kitchen. I do know that without my hands for assistance, she would have been unable to accomplish this outcome.

Today is mostly taken up with doctor's visits. Podiatrist, internist, and an MRI all in the same day. That means that while I will get some reading done in waiting rooms, but that will be the extent of my day's activities.

A quick sports report. Joe Girardi will be staying with the Yankees, so the boys in blue will be looking elsewhere for a new manger. The Pirates defied my prediction. They lost to the Cardinals so they won't be going to the World Series. The Tigers and the As face off tonight for the decisive game five in their series. If the Tigers win, they will face off with my beloved Red Sox, and get a chance to face either the Cardinals or the Dodgers in the World Series. If not, they go home and wait for next year. There is a certain familiarity in that phrase. More sports happened, but I'll wait on those.

A train went by just before 12:00 AM and that was early for a train on these tracks. Tea time awaits as does a morning walk with Sugar and all those doctor's appointments. Ciao.

Good morning GH. It is just past 4:30 AM and I am up doing a few things for the boss. Seems like my work is never done. The current temperature is 55 degrees under clear skies. Unfortunately that is a weather description rather than a description based on the amount of light. No precipitation is expected until Saturday. Sugar the Weather Dog is sleeping soundly, so I know that the forecast is most likely accurate.

Speaking of Sugar, she has gotten so territorial of late. She wanted to protect me from the lady who delivers her dog food. Protecting Mary, the palatial estate, and me was her top priority, over receiving her food as it came in the door. Same thing for our neighbor's father who made the "mistake" of stepping on Sugar's hallowed deck. He just wanted to talk, but Sugar knew he must be up to no good. I appreciate her concern. Until she gets "used" to someone, they are not welcome. Period!

That's why she had to be put into her downstairs hide-e-hole when the HVAC man came to check our duct work yesterday. He is going to get back to us with an estimate, but the numbers he was tossing about were more than Mary and I want to spend this or any year. Mary and I agree that replacing the ceiling fans that we took down in the two front rooms might be the best choice. Not perfect, but better at less than $1,000 versus $5,000 to $6,000. Oh well, sometimes these old houses produce a need for trade-offs. We now know why the ceiling fans were there, but the old ones were so dated and ugly, that they had to go.

Sorry that I didn't get to my blog yesterday, but I got up late, went for a walk with Mary and Sugar and then on to the local pharmacy for first-aid supplies for Mary By then the day was nearly over. I spent so much time mowing the lawns on the palatial estate, watching our politicians, and talking to the aforementioned HVAC man and our neighbors dad, that time just got away.

Today, more work for the boss. I was excited to read that Kerry got her piano back after a year's absence. Along with baseball, music is life. Speaking of life, I think I'll get to more of that musical variety of life later today. You don't want to overdo.

In sports, the Tigers forced a deciding game 5 as they pitched Max Scherzer in relief. Now the Tigers may have to face my beloved Red Sox who moved on to the Championship Series by defeating the Rays, 5 - 1. A potential problem for me that I won't mind having. The Pirates and the Cardinals are tied at two games apiece as they head for their decisive game five. The Cardinals usually have success in these deciding games, but I think this is the year for the Pirates. Whomever wins, goes on to meet the Dodgers for the NL pennant and then on to the World Series.

So that about looks like it. Easy day coming up. Like all days, this one will start with...Tea time and then walk time with Sugar. Music, highlighting for the boss, and maybe making my world famous banana bread with the able and reliable assistance of my loyal Sous Dog.

Ciao.

Good early morning GH. According to the non-sophisticated analog display on the desktop, we have just passed 3:30 AM. Our current temperature is a chilly 53 degrees. Any threat of showers is only 40% for today. What's not to like. Our high today may reach 60. By week's end, the lower 70s is possible. I just hope that the fall-fest scheduled for downtown on the 19th is not the same as spring-fest, at least temperature-wise. The post uses that one as a fund raiser and I assume that this one is intended to be the same. It was so chilly in the evening that people stayed away or indoors. Only another two weeks to go.

On Sunday we got up late and started to take a walk with Sugar the Weather Dog. Mary said that she was fine, but when we hit the corner and the wind hit her full on, she decided it was time to turn back. She was more warmly dressed than me, since I was in my regular summer uniform of shorts and a t-shirt. So Sugar and I soldiered on. However, when the rain drops started to fall, Sugar was ready to come home. We made it in time, and watched as the rain became more steady and intense.

As I mentioned in yesterday's blog, we thought that we might go downtown for a viewing of the Lions game. By the time we were ready to go, Mary thought I needed to change out of my summer uniform shorts and give in to long jeans. I am glad that she insisted. Even with a fleece and those long jeans, it was cool as the wind whipped down Washington and Harbor Drive. We did take our umbrellas, but by game's end, they weren't necessary.

We ended up at our alternate watering hole and watched the Lions lose to the Packers, 9 - 22. We couldn't see the Bears game as I suspected, due to a local blackout, but that was no loss as they too fell by a score of 18 - 26 to the Saints. I always used to say that I saved three hours on a Sunday afternoon by not watching the Bears. Now I invest that same time in the Lions. Since I haven't suffered as long as the people who have lived here all their lives, I can take it. I wish I could say the same ting for the boys in blue.

The Tigers play at home tonight, hoping to get out in front of their 1 - 1 series tie with the As. My beloved Red Sox also play tonight in Florida against the Rays. The Sox have a 2 - 0 series lead.

While we were sitting at our alternate watering hole, we saw what we thought to be a small ship making its way up the channel. It turned out to be a bit larger. Here's a link to the Manitowoc, the ship we thought was small. http://www.marinetraffic.com/ais/shipdetails.aspx?MMSI=367341010 She's not as small as we first thought. It is likely that she was visiting the local BLP dock with a load of coal for the power plant that we visited on Saturday. If you need more information on her, you need to go to the Grand Haven Tribune's web site http://www.grandhaventribune.com/ and peruse one of the columns by Dick Fox under the title "Ship's Log."

Today, more work for Mary, more walks for Sugar and me, and of course, the chance to play more music. We have an HVAC contractor coming tomorrow, I think, or maybe today, as Mary thinks. In either case, we'll be here. However, if the estimate get's to be too much, I'll live with another sweater and a small electric heater.

I hope to hear from the neurosurgeon's office today too regarding my recent MRI results. Ciao.

Good morning GH. We've just passed 3:30 AM here in "The City" and the current temperature is 67 degrees under purportedly cloudy skies. Unfortunately, the darkness that is normal for this time of the morning is having a concealing effect. We are also under a flood watch until early Monday AM. Slow moving T-storms and washed out roads in rural areas are being predicted. I feel like Chicken Little is in charge of the weather app. Sugar the Weather Dog is not in concurrence if her current posture is any indicator.

Saturday saw us on a tour of the town with Sugar and then later a tour of our locally owned power generation plant. A fascinating place and Mary will share pictures on her blog. Even with the requisite ear plugs, the noise inside the plant was considerable. I guess when a boiler is running full blast, (now I know where that phrase "Full  Blast" comes from). There was also the pulverizing of the coal inside a crushing machine into a fine powder about the consistency of talc. That machine is best described as a set of 12 steel bowling balls whirling around inside a machine into which previously crushed coal is introduced for further reduction. That powdered coal is injected into the furnaces to boil the water and make steam etc. Any visions of sweaty men shoveling coal into the maws of an open furnace are the stuff of history books.

Later we walked from Harbor Island, the location of the power plant, and stopped in our favorite watering hole for lunch and to watch the MSU Spartans defeat the Hawkeyes of Iowa, 26 - 14. We then scurried to the post for a quick one and the beginnings of the Michigan Wolverines ultimate defeat of the Minnesota Golden Gophers 42 - 13. When we got home I was a bit tired, so I slept through the rally of the OSU Buckeyes over the Northwestern Wildcats 40 - 30. I could go on and on. I'd also be remiss if I didn't report taht he NIU Huskies defeated the Kent State Golden Flashes 38 - 24.

I must sadly report that the Tigers lost 0 - 1 to the As to even their playoff series at 1 - 1. My beloved Red Sox, behind two homers by Big Papi, took a lead of two games to none in their series against the Rays. Final score 7 - 4. That's about it for Saturday in the MLB playoffs

In Chicago sports news, D. Rose returned to the court for his first action in an NBA pre-season game and scored 13 points. I hope that is just the beginning. Maybe his performance helped to ease his mind about his surgically repaired knee. The boys in blue are still in search of a manager. Sandy Alomar Jr. and Joe Girardi are still on the radar. The boys are also looking for help at the catcher's position and may try to sign Jarrod Saltalamacchia, the current catcher and a free agent after this season ends, of my beloved Red Sox.

Later today we may go watch football, or I may elect to stay home. Since the Bears versus the Saints is on at the same time as the Lions versus Greenbay on the same network, in all likelihood the Lions will be available here, not the Bears. That could be a good thing as the Saints are likely to trounce the Bears.

So that's about it. No trains, no storms yet, but heavy rain is still being predicted. Off to bed. Ciao.

P.S.

For Adam and Steph, a call to the neurosurgeons office on Friday found that the results are still on his desk, but he has yet to read the MRI. Maybe this weekend when he is on call and maybe not, according to his nurse. I may or may not know more Monday. I'll let you know when I know.

Good morning GH. It is just past 3:00 AM in "The City" and the current temperature is 66 degrees. Looks like showers are on the way, but not until later. Seeing is believing. Actually, as I sit here, the thunder is rumbling in the distance. Sugar the Weather Dog was sound asleep earlier, but I am betting her forecast for the near future will be changing soon. If the Weather Channel app is to be believed, the chance of T-storms is 80% later this morning and as the day unfolds, and 70% on Sunday. I wonder how the T-storms will affect our plans to go on that tour of our local power plant. I also wonder whether Sugar the Weather Dog will be wanting to go out. If I were a betting man, I'd say that Sugar will not go.

Friday was an interesting day. I did a little yard work on the palatial estate and the leaves are winning. Fall is definitely here. I let Mary walk with Sugar while I did that yard work. They probably moved more quickly without me in tow. I used to watch older people moving slowly and always wanted to believe that I wouldn't become one of those people. Well, here I am. In my defense, Mary has always accused me of walking slowly, and I have always thought that she and Sugar walk too quickly. I guess that it is all about perspective.

Mary informed me yesterday that I had to give up my favorite small kitchen knife. I love that little thing, but I have to admit that it is getting dull. You would think that a knife that you bought at the local hardware store two years ago for less than $10.00, would stay sharp for a longer time. I suppose that cutting myself the other day trying to cut an apple should have been a clue. So, off we went to Holland and got a really nice eight inch chef's knife, a sharpener to keep that knife sharp, and a zester at the kitchen supply store. Now I can be afraid of the new big knife, the very sharp zester, and miss my little knife all at the same time.

After our stop in Holland,we stopped in a small restaurant/bar on the way back that is the partner to the one we visited in Nunica. Same food and same kind of ambiance, only writ large in a strip mall. It was then off to the post. I feel like I am no longer "the public" that is welcome, but a real member now. A few drinks, a little conversation, and off to home. It seemed like a busy day, but when you don't get up until nearly 11:00 AM, the day is much shorter.

Now along with the thunder, I hear a train a' comin. I think that horn happy engineer is at the controls again. However, one locomotive and one lone box car does not a train make. Somehow, I doubt that a train with one car is very fuel efficient. So much for that carbon footprint thing.

In sports, the Tigers and Max Scherzer beat the Oakland As 3 - 2. My beloved Red Sox trounced the Rays, 12 - 2, the Pirates hammered the Cardinals 7 - 1 to even their series at one game apiece, as the Braves held off the Dodgers 4 - 3 to tie their series at one game apiece too.

In a small connection to the boys in blue, the Reds fired their manager, who was previously the Cubs manager and a manager of the World Series champion Giants of a few years ago. Is he always destined to be fired when his teams don't win? Looks like it. Three 90 plus win seasons in a row following the futile efforts by the Reds before his arrival weren't enough. When you go several years without a visit to the World Series, 90 plus wins per season are not enough. In his defense, I am not certain that any manager could make the boys in blue a winner. I am equally certain that he will get an offer to manage again now that the off-season is here.

Otherwise, not much on tap for today. That previously mentioned tour of the power plant and a visit to the local bakery for a loaf of bread. They wouldn't sell us one last night when we came in the back door three minutes after closing time. Somehow I doubt that the owner of the store would have approved of their response to our arrival. That's the difference between the owner being there all the time and having clerks work for you. She has two stores now and the span of control is therefore doubled. Today we can buy that same loaf of bread from their day-old table for less. Ain't that America!

Now I am done for the day. Bed time and...Tea time await. Ciao.

Good morning GH. Remember that 60% chance of showers? It must have been somewhere else, because it wasn't here. We still show a a 50% chance, but there seems to be little activity outside the Weather Window. Go figure. Sugar the Weather Dog is sleeping soundly beside the  bed, so I doubt that that is even a real possibility. We have a current temperature of 66 degrees. Surprise, it finally started raining a few minutes ago. Sugar failed to sound the warning. The rain seems to be short lived and I hear a train a'comin. Sounds like that horn happy engineer is at the throttle. This one is a bit longer than last night's train, but the composition is the same.

On Thursday, I finished my editing chorea and played a little whistle. Remember that commentary about my aching shoulder? Ditto. Sugar and I got in two walks, but at one point she wouldn't go out as she seemed to sense a front passing through. Even Sugar the Weather Dog can be wrong. Mary and I walked downtown and I got my bean fix from the boss, so the day closed out nicely.

Today, since it is unlikely that the predicted rain even will happen, I plan to mow the lawns on the palatial estate and then read more. I wish my aching shoulder would let me play more music, but that seems a dream at this point. I can still do yard work, but anything that requires repetitive motion from my shoulder is too painful. So perhaps more reading and sitting.

Speaking of reading, I just started a new book entitled How to Create the Perfect Wife, by Wendy Moore. I know it sounds like a cookbook, but it is sadly a true story of Thomas Day, an 18th century British writer and radical who unable to find the perfect wife, set out to create one. Interesting so far, but bizarre.

Otherwise, not much is planned for, nor happening today. That rain thing likely changes the plans for that outdoor work.

In sports, the Pirates fell to the Cardinals 1 - 9 while the Braves fell to the L. A. Dodgers 1 - 6. Tonight, the Tigers face off against the As as my beloved Red Sox tee off against the Rays. It is showtime. Here's hoping that the best team wins. The Cardinals look unstoppable, and I'm hoping that will be true of the Red Sox, at least in the early stages of the playoffs. When we get to the finals, I will have to choose if both the Tigers and the Red Sox are still in it for the American League.

So that's about it for now. I need to get some additional sleep and get ready to face the new day as the Sun rises at 7:46 AM for...Tea time. Ciao.

Good early morning GH. It has just passed 2:00 AM in "The City" and the digitally revealed temperature is 55 degrees as we head for a low of 67. Go figure. We are expecting the chance of T-storms after 10:00 AM to be at 50% or greater. I hope that Mary's plans to get up early to finish her current project comes to fruition, so that Sugar the Weather Dog will be willing to go out. If not, all bets are off.

On Wednesday, I went to the grocery store to buy a few things. I got most everything I went after, but the trip seemed to take a lot out of me. Maybe having to stop for gas in the old buggy was enough to do me in. I did get in a couple of walks with Sugar, and for that I am grateful.

We finally tried that new kale salad recipe that Mary found and it was superb. It probably didn't have much to do with the salad chef, but I'd like to think that the results spoke well of my skills at reading a recipe. Kale lends itself well to almost any dish; squash and kale soup comes to mind. Too bad that my kale crops are drawing to an end. Now I'll have to go on the open market for more. I feel like a kale addict.

Sugar doesn't seem to like kale any more than she likes zucchini. However, she still loves bananas, that's for sure. I think that the dressing that I made for the kale would make an excellent dressing for leaf lettuce. It takes work, but that's okay, I have time. Otherwise yesterday, a few crosswords, and some whistle playing. I wanted to play more on my guitar, but the pain in my shoulder seems to get worse every time I pick it up and play for more than about 20 minutes. I know I've got to get that MRI and get the doctor to suggest a course of treatment. I dislike hospitals and rehab so much, that I hope against hope that there is a non-surgical alternative. I do know that this can't go on.

Today I again have to put on my editors hat and work for my ogre of a boss, you know the one that pays me in beans. She anticipates about 18 or 19 pages of index for editing. Given my editorial skills, that's about two hours plus. Then there is the re-edit and finally putting it to bed. In other words, my afternoon is spoken for. I guess that with the 50% chance of T-storms, that is time I will likely have.

In sports, the Tampa Bay Rays dispatched the Tribe 4 - 0 to move on to the next level of the playoffs against my beloved Red Sox on Friday. The Tigers open their next playoff series against the As too.The Pirates won the right to face the Cardinals tonight. The Atlanta Braves have to face the L.A. Dodgers tonight too. In the end, only one team from each league gets to the World Series. I am hoping for the Red Sox/Tigers, versus the Pirates; sentimental favorites on the National League side, since the boys in blue won't be there. I do like having two or three teams to cheer for. I will have to root a bit harder for the American League team this year. I can do that as long as it isn't that other team from Chicago.

So that's about it. My bed is calling out to me and I hear its call. Ciao.

P.S., I stayed up late enough to hear a train a'comin. It is 3:15 AM. Two locomotives and a series of box, covered hopper cars, and tank cars hauling who knows what.

Good morning GH. 2:00 AM and all is well in "The City." 66 degrees under dark skies as we head for a sunny high of 76. We were supposed to get sunny skies on Tuesday too, but it looked like we had more clouds than Sun. Maybe one of my former colleagues can tell me if sunny or sun should have been capitalized. I think that the word Sun is a proper name and should be capitalized. But like the word east, when used as a descriptor/direction versus a place east isn't capitalized, but as a destination, it is, like in "the East." Sunny is a descriptor, an adjective, while Sun is a proper name. However like all words that are used to begin a sentence, sunny is just a descriptor. Too much thinking for me at 2:00 AM. The balance of the week has a chance of showers increasing each day starting on Thursday at 30% and peaking at 60% by Sunday. Where's Ellen when you need her? She was always my English language arbiter.

But I digress. All of that means that Mary and I need to get out for those flu shots today and then plan to hole up with Sugar the Weather Dog for a few days. I should be able to get a few indoor things done, since Sugar won't wish to go out in the rain. A chance to get some sorting of photographs done, perhaps more baking/cooking, and of course, music making and reading. There's another one of those English language things rearing its ugly head. I was taught that a list uses commas, but Mary, the indexer, tells me that the Chicago Manual of Style says that commas have fallen out of favor. Oy vey!

Tuesday was an average day. I made that kale salad recipe, which we have yet to try, as it required an hour or more of chilling in the refrigerator. I did some laundry and then worked a few crosswords. Finally we went downtown to get some bread, get my VFW card laminated, and then grab some dinner. Then we had to get home to watch the last, at least for a while, NCIS episode with the character Ziva David. Oy vey again. Too many lists, commas, and Yiddish words, and too little time. Once again, where's Ellen when you need her?

Otherwise today should be a quiet day. I'd like to make some caramel apples, but that requires caramels and apples, and since I have but two apples and no caramels, that would be difficult. Too much thinking for me.

In sports, the Pirates handily defeated the Reds, 6 - 2 in the first of the wild card games. Tonight the Rays have to play the Rangers in a tie-breaker to see who meets the Tribe in a wild card game. Then on to the balance of the playoffs. I'll keep you posted on those results and the search for a new manager for the boys in blue.

The Yankees seem set to offer Joe Girardi a contract extension. Their GM doesn't want to lose a manager and many name players at the same time. On the other hand, would Joe Girardi want to stay with a team that will be doing some serious rebuilding as many aging stars retire or move on. As a Chicago area native, Girardi may want to come back to Chicago and manage the Cubs. Would anybody want to? Theo Epstein has stated that he wants a manager with a winning track record. Fans want anybody who can make the team a contender. Now! Maybe the rebuilding is done in Chicago. Wait until next year has been said too many times over the years. Next year is now.

Enough already. I haven't heard a train a'comin yet this AM. My head grows weary and my eyes grow weak, I have to stop for the night. My thanks to the Eagles for a good line. I am getting sleepy, sleepy, sleepy. Oops, a hypnosis reference there. Ciao.

Good very early morning on the first day of October, 2013. Yesterday was a beautiful day in "The City" and Sugar the Weather Dog, Mary and I went for a nice walk in the AM. Today will probably be much like yesterday. Currently our temperature is 56 degrees as we head for a low if 56. Later today, we are expecting a high of 76 under sunny skies.

I think that I may get to the new recipe that Mary has for the kale that I have been growing on the palatial estate. In fact, the kale is the second crop from this patch. Not bad. I also have enough kale in the newer patch to make my world famous squash and kale soup. That will be a bit later in the fall, as I wait for it to get a bit taller. I like the soup that it yields, but I may have to convince Mary that I need to get some no salt added vegetable broth at the grocery store. Since we will be going there today or tomorrow, I should be able to make that happen. I know she doesn't like to go that route, preferring to make her own, but I want some that is ready made.

Sugar and I spent some time in the "Bone Zone" yesterday afternoon. She chewed, I read and finished a book and listened to some oldies radio. The day was so incredibly nice that I couldn't resist the lure of the outdoors. Mary wanted me to do the kale recipe, but I thought for about five seconds and decided to to the "Bone Zone" thing instead. Later I watched some political commentary and then watched a Tom Selleck movie entitled Monte Walsh. Mary supplied me with some popcorn while I watched and she stayed downstairs to hook more on her kitchen rug. In short, we were both content.

I hear a train a'comin and that is always a treat for me. I like living on a reality scale train board. Not a long train, but there is something about a train that's magic. Now if we can just get the government to spend some money on improvements to the infrastructure for the trains and the passenger rail system, we'd be getting somewhere. Oh well, I can dream.

Otherwise, not much on tap for the day. Cooking has become a new passion for me. I like learning new things. I had a colleague several years ago, he has since passed away, who loved to cook, and he was quite good at it. I also spent some time with my whistle, and the tune was almost recognizable. Only five weeks in and I am starting to get the hang of it. By today it may have all gone away, but that's okay, there is always another day.

In sports, the Tigers had the day off as they await the arrival of the As on Friday night. My beloved Red Sox also have some time off as they await either Cleveland, Tampa Bay, or Texas. The Cardinals will be facing a National League team, perhaps Cincinnati or Pittsburgh. The L.A. Dodgers will be facing off against the Braves. I only pay attention to the NL when the boys in blue are involved. Speaking of which, the boys are looking for new manager, again. Now I pay attention to the American League and I still can't decide if I should root for my beloved Red Sox, or the local favorites, the Tigers. I guess that I'll have to follow my heart.

So that's about it. I think it is time for bed. Ciao.