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.