Good early morning GH. It is just past 5:00 AM in "The City" and the current temperature is 40 degrees as we motor towards a high of 57, albeit under the threat of afternoon showers. Mary and I have toyed with going to our favorite watering hole to watch the Spartans and the Wolverines later this afternoon. But, the forecast for showers is accompanied by a prediction for strong winds later. Sunday looks like strong T-storms are a possibility to go with the high of 64. More on that tomorrow.

Friday morning, Mary and I enjoyed one of my previous soup recipes for brunch, and even a normally ambivalent soup eater like Mary had to admit it was good. Afterwards, Sugar accompanied us to the dog park. Once she figured out where we were heading, she became very excited since she can see out of the car from her crate. She literally couldn't wait. She met some new friends there and she may have a play date on Monday if the weather cooperates. Given the abundance of potential mud in the park, a rainy day and a low-slung dog are not a good match.

We came home, I harvested a bag of kale for my soup, and I got to work with the able assistance of my Sous Dog, Sugar. Chopping vegetables, making broth for my soup, making a crock-pot full of future broth and then peeling the squash for my soup kept me busy. I also peeled a mound of garlic for both endeavors. Carrots, mushrooms, celery, onions, and of course the garlic, all went into the crock-pot. The smells were heavenly. My squash/kale soup cooked away on top, while I baked the remaining squash in the oven below. With a bit of help from Mary, we got the soup packed for the future when I am recovering. We even packed a jar full for Sally.

Finally, it was time to go to the post and out on the town. Sally welcomed her soup, we had a couple of libations and watched one of the regulars win $200.00 at Steph's favorite tear-off game. He bought a round, but we had to take a chip for our next visit so that we could walk home.

Since this was "Light Night," "The City" was teeming with people shopping and enjoying the lights. Adults, children, and people of all ages crowded the sidewalks. The organizers had to be beaming with satisfaction. We made it home, and then bottled the broth that had been cooking in the crock-pot. It was so good, that Mary decided that the vegetables held enough nutrients for more broth. I left her to her own devices and came upstairs to watch a little television and do some work before bed.

Today, walking with Sugar, Irish Jam session, possibly football, and then bed time. We are still working on my last loaf of banana/apple sauce bread at breakfast. Sugar will probably get some of the squash for breakfast to go with her daily yogurt. Sunrise is at 7:39 this morning. Ciao.