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.