Good early morning GH. It is just past 2:00 a.m. in "The City." Currently our temperature is 50° heading down to our overnight low of 47°. When we peak today, we should hit 52°, with a 60% chance of additional showers. Monday's weather was a mixed bag. The temperature hit 64° for a high, but the rains that came in the afternoon were genuine gully washers. As you may imagine, Sugar the Weather Dog spent the afternoon and part of the evening in her hide-e-hole. Fortunately for her and me, we got out early enough in the day to avoid walking in the rain. I believe that there was a song in the 60s made popular by the Ronettes titled Walking in the Rain. Like I've said before, there is a song lyric or title for just about any situation or mood.  But I digress once again.

Once Sugar and I got back from our walk, Mary had a chat for her work group. She retired to the upstairs and I worked a crossword from the newspaper that I picked up earlier. Then I got to work for my boss. I spent a few moments learning what I had to do and then got down to business. However I was soon interrupted by that same boss who told me that we had to go out to Coopersville to pick up some free chicken wire that she had located on Freecycle™. Much like Mary's theory about Goodwill Industries™, she believes that reuse is always the better alternative. We wanted the wire for the compost pit that we have created in the back forty. So although the wire is rusty, it doesn't matter, because it will be outdoors getting still more rusty.

We arrived at the donor's house in the nick of time. We got the wire loaded into the car just as the skies opened up. We said our quick goodbyes and headed for home. Now if it ever stops raining in GH, I'll get the wire put into place. Earlier in the day, I made the necessary sticks to hold the wire. This is a cheap and simple compost pile, but it should work. Next year we should have our own nutrient rich compost for our planting.

Today, I plan to walk with Sugar and then do some of  the highlighting that I have on my schedule. I have nearly 500 pages to highlight, but this time there is only one color required and every page has limited highlighting required. In the past, some of the work assigned by my boss has been far more exacting. A little more music, a bit more reading for pleasure and that should be my day. Like I know I've said before, retirement can be very busy.

In sports news, the Bulls were eliminated from the playoffs going only 1 - 4. The boys in blue had a game in Cincinnati that had three rain delays and led to another loss for Jeff Samardzija, 2 - 3. The sports geeks said that neither team could find a rhythm. True, but it looks like the Reds found just enough rhythm. Will next year ever get here? The Tigers eked out a win over that other team from Chicago, 4 - 3. My beloved Red Sox once again mustered the runs needed to win, 7 - 4, over the Rays. The Caps bested the Lake County Captains 4 - 0.

I heard a long train go by around 12:15 a.m., but I didn't get up to look. I was comfortably ensconced in my nice warm bed. That's likely where I'll be when the next northbound train passes by. When I got up to see the northbound run yesterday morning, it was just the two locomotives and no cars. Well, it turns out I was up. The usual two EMD GP 38 locomotives towing 36 covered hopper cars, seven of those dreaded black tank cars, four white tankers, and one white with a black stripe tank car. Ciao.

Good early morning GH. It is just past 1:30 a.m. in "The City."  I am going to digress for just a bit to remind those of you who read regularly, that this is my blog post #730. If you do the math, you will realize that that is exactly two years worth of blogs. I started this blog shortly after we moved to GH, and I never thought that I would still be at it. When I was in the hospital recovering from spinal surgery and later brain surgery a few years ago, I think that it would have been interesting to have been writing a blog. Of course as Mary can attest, I had lost the ability to form cohesive thoughts sometimes. So perhaps my blogs would have been less than readable.

I was thinking about the changes that have come my way over the last few years. I've come to believe that although we often see the changes in others, we are less likely to see the changes in ourselves. We age, we change, and we learn to both accept and adapt to those changes. I think that that was my point when I wrote not too long ago about Mary. To me she has changed very little over the years, and any changes have been for the better.

Mary and I have had conversations about the benefits of having shared experiences with a spouse or significant other. Collectively we can fill in the blanks that come from having the same set of shared experiences. When we were first together, I had suggested that we visit a famous place in Chicago. She knows the one. She said in an off handed manner, "Once you have been to the one in London, England, the others pale by comparison." I also remember that she once referred to something that was in her memory, but not in our shared memory. She had that experience and I didn't.

Mary has taught me a lot over the last 40 years. I believe that my viewpoint on life has generally changed for the better. When Mary and I talk about Adam and the things that he did and said when he was just a young man, it is nice to have a shared frame of reference. I believe that I have grown and that Mary has improved. A mutual positive. Oh well, enough of a journey down the road of life. Time for the regular blog things.

Our current temperature is 51° under rainy skies. We anticipate a high today of 62° with a 60% chance of showers/T-showers. The temperatures will drop on Wednesday and the showers will continue. The rain that had been predicted for earlier Monday in GH is just now arriving. The temperatures are still predicted to not rise out of the 50s anytime soon. I heard earlier that Lake Superior had an 85% ice cover and Lake Michigan had an ice cover of 15%. Both of those are records. That is at least partially the explanation for our heavy snow fall this past winter and the low temperatures this spring.

I was awakened by the passage of the regular train around 12:45 a.m. The regular twin EMD GP 38 locomotives towing a lone box car, 31 covered hopper cars, five of those dreaded black tank cars, and one black and white tank car, all heading south.

In other news, Sugar the Weather Dog and I braved the gales out of the east as we sallied forth to get the daily newspaper. Mary stayed behind to wash the dishes. When I got back, I told her that next time, I would gladly stay back and wash. For breakfast, Mary had to once again improvise in the kitchen. She made French toast using bagels. I liked it.

Once I was back and done with breakfast, I played my guitars some and did a little reading. Then Mary decided to go to Holland to get our puzzle framed. Once we found the relocated frame store, the process was easy. Those winds made driving a challenge for Mary. I didn't have a problem.

We stopped off at the big box grocery and everything store on the way home to get a few things. Mary had created a list before we left, and that made the process go more smoothly. Then it was time for lunch at our second favorite watering hole on either side of the bridge. Then home, unpack, watch TV, have a light dinner and fall asleep in my media room chair. I did have to go down to resolve a TV problem that Mary was having. She had changed channels and the TV switched modes of input. Once I coordinated the cable box with the TV, she was set to go.

Today looks like a good day to stay in. Windy, cold, and rainy. Sugar the Weather Dog is currently in the bedroom due to the rain and wind. She likes to be away from the outside walls when those two things are happening. Mary is still downstairs. She'll be along when she awakens. I learned years ago that it is not a good idea to wake her when she is asleep.

The Tigers are set to play that other team from Chicago tonight. The boys in blue were rained out in Cincinnati, so they didn't have a chance to lose in another innovative way. My beloved Red Sox lost. The Caps fell to the Lake County Captains of Eastlake, OH too. Not a great day in sports.

The sun will rise at 6:42 a.m.and set at 8:40 p.m. Ciao.

Good morning GH. It is just past 1:30 a.m. in "The City," and the outdoor temperature is 47°. We hope to reach a high of 52° if the 90% chance of rain doesn't cause the temperatures to stay lower. Our warmest day for the next several is Tuesday, when we are supposed to reach 64°. Then if you accept the forecast from the National Weather Service, we won't see another day out of the 40s or 50s until Thursday May 9th. Fortunately for Mary's indoor garden, her plants aren't supposed to go outdoors until the next day. Yes ladies and gentlemen, this is spring in Michigan.

Sunday morning, Sugar the Weather Dog, Mary and I took an abbreviated walk. When we left home, the wind was at our back and by the time we made it downtown to get the weekend edition of the Grand Haven Tribune, the wind had convinced us that it was time to turn towards home. Mary spent time doing some time sorting of her latest project into chapters. As she worked, she took time to chop and start some pasta sauce in the slow cooker, so that we have food for our work week. I was productive too, as I spent time playing the girls, doing a crossword, and reading two newspapers, one a week old N.Y. Times. That paper lends itself well to an extended reading period according to Mary.

I got restless in the afternoon, and since Mary was at a point of stopping her cooking and sorting, she graciously accompanied me to watch the Blackhawks defeat the St. Louis Blues in the first round of their playoff series. The Hawks came from an 0 - 2 deficit in the series to win it 4 -2. Their next opponent has yet to be determined.

Elsewhere in sports, the Tigers game was postponed by weather, so nothing changed there. The 8 - 16 boys in blue, defeated the Brewers, an 18 - 7 team, by a score of 4 - 0. My beloved Red Sox, at 12 - 14, fell to the 12 - 13 Blue Jays, 1 - 7. The 13 - 10 Caps won against the 9 - 13 Fort Wayne Tin Caps, 2 - 1, to move to 3.5 games back of the 15 - 7 Dayton Dragons. I'll mention that the Bulls dropped their third game in a row in their playoff series, and they are now just one game away from an extended vacation. It looks like they will have been just good enough to have another mediocre draft.

I got up at 1:00 a.m. in time to view the southbound train run. The same twin EMD GP 38 locomotives, followed by a lone box car, six covered hopper cars, eight of those dreaded black tank cars, four white tank cars, and at the end of the train, another covered hopper car. I know for certain that there will be a northbound run, but I won't be awake to see/hear it.

Today I'll have to get started on my highlighting work for my demanding boss, after Sugar and I get back from our morning walk. That walk promises to be abbreviated like yesterday, if the 90% rain prediction comes true by 8:00 a.m. If it is raining, windy, and cold, as expected, Mary may or may not decide to join Sugar and me. In fact, if the forecast is accurate, Sugar herself may not want to go.

Otherwise, not much is happening today. The inclement weather that is forecast, will likely preclude a trip to the frame shop today. "Alert, Alert, Breaking News!" The sun will rise at 6:42 a.m. and set at 8:40 p.m. today. Ciao.

Good morning GH, It is just past 6:00 a.m. in "The City," and our current temperature is 43°, as we head for today's high of 55°. We are expecting a few showers today with a 30% chance. However by tomorrow, the chance of showers increases to 90% with thunder and wind. That is expected to be the pattern until next weekend.

It was a nice day for a morning walk with Sugar the Weather Dog. However, Mary guessed right and dressed warm enough when we went out. I didn't and had to go back. Once we were both properly dressed, we were off. Sugar was always properly dressed, so she couldn't understand why the delay in getting going. A good walk before working in the back forty with Sugar as sidewalk supervisor.

I think that the grass seed that I planted in the back forty should be well watered, assuming that it doesn't get washed away. We also got some additional pots filled with potting soil and seeds for cucumbers and beans. Those should be fine. Mary called the local garden show yesterday, and I have to apologize. It seems that here in Western Michigan, you must wait to put tomatoes and peppers outdoors until about May 10th. According to the expert on the radio, those plants are "sensitive" to the cold. However, Mary does need to be more attentive to hardening them off on the cool but sunny spring days we have been experiencing. That means that for a few hours each day, her indoor garden needs to go outside and get used to the temperatures of early spring.

Once we were done outside, Mary decided that she wanted to take a drive to the north. We returned something to the big box home center and then we were off. We didn't make it to our original destination Pentwater, but instead turned off to go to New Era. We passed through several small towns and learned, once we got to New Era, that we had been there once before, about one year ago. Thus on the way back, as we traveled smaller roads, we passed through several other towns we had seen once before.

Our puzzle is ready for framing, so we may take it in on Monday. That depends on the weather. Mary and I don't like to drive in the rain. But since it will be raining off and on all week that may make it more difficult. I also get to put away my puzzle building table for another year. Mary thinks I need another craft type hobby, preferably one that would create a piece of statuary for the garden. I just don't have time for anything else in my schedule right now.

A quick sports report. Tigers lose, but still doing fine. Boys in blue lose, four in a row now. Beloved Red Sox win over Toronto, now just one game under 500. Caps win too, now even for the season. Hawks and Bulls play this afternoon.

Sunrise is in about 45 minutes at 6:44 a.m. Sunset will occur at 8:40 p.m. Then, walking with Sugar, guitar playing, reading of the newspaper and other things. A busy day. Ciao.

Good morning GH. It is just past 6:30 a.m. in "The City," and the current temperature is 43° as we head for today's sunny high of 49°. Then for the next several days, we will get into the 50s, but rain is in every forecast for the coming week. I doubt that I'd mind if it rained, if the temperatures would get out of the 40s and 50s and make it into the 60s and 70s. Mary still won't move her indoor garden outdoors. I think she has gotten my syndrome, the one I use with and apply to Sugar the Weather Dog. It won't let her risk living tings when she can keep them indoors safe and sound. But like those little birds, sometimes you have to push them out of the nest and let them take wing. It's time Mary, it's time.

In other "Breaking News," the sun will rise today. That's not really news, but sometimes if you say things with enough emphasis, it becomes news that's worthy of note. That aforementioned sunrise will happen at 6:44 a.m. today. And in a follow-up story, that same sun will set at 8:38 p.m. this evening.

Friday was a great day for me. I finished the missing piece for our puzzle and applied the puzzle saver. By Monday, it should be dry and ready to frame. Mary got her newest project from the publisher and the local print shop. That's a story in itself. I got some pictures from Adam showing that his latest car project is nearing completion, well at least the first completion. However, I liked the pictures that I saw and I had to congratulate him on a job well done.

In sports, the boys in blue called up some additional pitchers to help stem the tide. That didn't work, they lost again, 2 - 5 to drop to 7 - 15. The Tigers dropped the Twins 10 - 6, and they are now at 12 - 8. My beloved Red Sox picked up another game, 8 - 1 over the Blue Jays. Now they are just two games under 500. The Caps fell to the Fort Wayne Tin Caps, 0 - 4. Now they are a sub 500 team. The Blackhawks, got past the St. Louis Blues in OT, 3 - 2. Now they are one game ahead in their playoff series after falling to 0 - 2 in the first two games. The Bulls, behind a bevy of three point shots, eked out a win 100 - 97, over Washington. Still, they trail in their series 1 - 2. Next game, Sunday afternoon. Another wit til next year?

Today, some minor yard work, some laundry, and a walk with Sugar the Weather Dog. Then some guitar and reading. In other words, a very busy day. I almost forgot, I have to return to bed to listen to Auto Talk at 7:00 a.m.  I love those stories of cars with 250,000 miles on the clock, mostly from guys wanting to know how many more miles they can expect to get, or what's the best way to fix a broken electronic dashboard with a chewing gum wrapper and a volt/ohm meter. Or the truck/car that has given great service for 250,000 miles towing an overweight trailer. How can the owner extend the life of a transmission that was already under sized for the task behind an engine that was also too small. Gotta love the spirit if not the reality orientation. Ciao.

Good early morning GH. It is just past 5:30 a.m. in "The City." The current temperature in the great outdoors is 43°. Our expected low today will happen soon, just after sunrise at 6:38 a.m. The forecast is calling for rain at a 100% chance all day. Sugar the Weather Dog will not be happy. It was tough enough to get her to go out yesterday, and it was only a light drizzle that lasted for a short time. When I suggested she go out around 11:30 a.m., she bolted for the upstairs to have Mary save her from her fate.

Once we got Sugar to go out she was happy, but that took both Mary and me to convince Sugar. Then Mary and I were off to the big box home center in Muskegon. Actually, that was just one of our stops. We started at one of Mary's favorite places, the Goodwill Store. Mary says that before you buy anything, you should check the Goodwill Store first.

We donate things to the stores that we no longer need or want, and we also support their efforts through purchases. A wonderful concept. This time around, Mary got a tray she wanted, and I got two golf clubs of mixed parentage that I wanted. All three items cost a total of $5.00, plus tax, total, $5.30. Best of all, the driver I got to try my hand at golf once again, was a long one that has a nice grip. If I can once again golf on a regular basis, it will be great. If I can't, I can re-donate it to the store. I also got a standard putter that like all putters is short and needs magic to work well.

Then we stopped in at that big box home center where we used a list, what a concept, to get just what we wanted and nothing more. Mary often says that you should use a list at any store to avoid buying tings on impulse. That's the same reason that a hungry person shouldn't go to the grocery store. Finally, we stopped at the mobile telephone store. Our emergency phone is on auto-debit to keep it in service every month.

Recently, I noticed that it shows a large amount of funds in the account. That shows how much we use it. The young lady at the store said that yes, it did cost only $10.79 per month to have the service, but if you have an auto-debit, the minutes roll-over each month. Right now, we can make a call that would last about 12 hours. Given that this is our emergency phone, we'd be on the way home by the time we'd used the money. We had a good laugh, because the young lady at the store has gotten us twice to explain what we don't understand about m bile phones. If she is on commission, we are costing her money.

Then it was time for lunch. We stopped at our new favorite watering hole on the other side of the bridge. We ordered a pitcher and two subs from the place two doors down. But once the sandwiches arrived, Mary announced that I couldn't eat mine. I was incredulous to say the least. Fortunately for me, Mary had noticed that the bread used to make the sandwiches was covered with sesame seeds, my personal version of kryptonite. The folks that run the tavern graciously made an alternative for me and Mary gave a man down the bar the deadly sandwich. Dodged a sesame seed that time, thanks to Mary's observational skills and quick thinking.

Finally it was time to go home. We watched some TV and then I went upstairs to rest. I fell asleep in my chair and awoke long enough to go to bed. That's where I was until just before 5:00 a.m.

In sports, some teams won, some teams lost, and others didn't play. Trains were seen, and the sun will set at 8:38 p.m. Ciao.

Good early morning GH. It is just past 4:00 a.m. in "The City." Good news, our current outdoor temperature is 45°, as we head down to a low of 42°. Unfortunately, nothing in the forecast from the National Weather Service shows our temperatures getting out of the 50s before May 2, and that's too far out to really tell. In fact, today is expected to be windy with showers. Mary's prediction of Holland having a "Bud Fest" instead of a "Tulip Fest" in early May is probably just as accurate.

Wednesday we got over to pick up my "Door Prize" from my entry during Mary's "Yarn Quest." Turns out that of all the prizes still available, the one that I liked, and which I may attempt personally, is shown below. It's a slouch hat that I like to wear in the winter.

Since the pattern is actually for a woman's hat, it will require some modifications to fit me. Mary can help me with that. However, the hat style is one that I like, so that's why I want to try it.

In other news, I heard the train heading south at about midnight. Does that make it the "Midnight Special?" Probably not, since I didn't see it, but I like to get in a song lyric or title when I can. I'll wait to see the northbound run around 4:00 a.m., if I'm awake. I could tell that the southbound train was a long one, with many cars heavily laden by the sound they made on the rails. While I didn't see the actual train with it's locomotives, only once have a I seen more than two locomotives pulling a train on this short line.

In sports, I made a mistake and watched the boys in blue celebrate the 100th birthday of Wrigley Field. It took Mary and I a little thinking to understand why so many old-time football players were present at the ceremony. Then I remembered that Wrigley Field hosted Bear's games for many years. Dick Butkus is in his 70s, Gale Sayers too. They look great for guys who are older than me.

Of course, the boys in blue were represented by many old-time players too. But since I am aging gracefully myself, so too are the players of my youth. Mr. Cub, is in he early eighties. Sweet Swinging Billy from Whistler, AL is in his 70s. Both men looked great. Ferguson Jenkins and Glenn Beckert were there too, as was Dutchie Carey. Even Wayne Messmer came back to sing the National Anthem just one more time. I think that Ron Santo would have been happy to see them all. Even Steve Goodman was probably smiling and singing along.

However, although Jeff Samardzija pitched a great game, he didn't get the decision. The bullpen once again imploded and snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. With throwback uniforms being worn by both the boys in blue and the Diamondbacks to commemorate the day, the game went the way of most games at Wrigley and the boys fell 5 - 7 to also end up the day at 7 - 13 in last place. I guess that I'm back to "Wait until next year." Sigh.

The Tigers dropped another game to that other team from Chicago, 4 - 6. They still hold a one game lead over the Twins in their division. My beloved Red Sox righted the ship for at least one day, with a 5 - 1 victory over the Yankees. But the Sox are still two games under 500. The Caps got past the Bowling Green Hot Rods 5 - 4.

In other sports news, the Blackhawks tied up their playoff series at 2 - 2 with a 4 - 3 win over the Blues of St Louis. The Bulls take their 0 - 2 playoff deficit to Washington for a Friday night game.

Today, I may go see a movie, or I may not. I'm really ambivalent about it. Maybe that in itself is a sign. I have a short appointment today at a doctor whose office is in the hospita. I think I mentioned that the other day. Then I am done at the hospital for a long time, I hope.

Sunrise is at 6:48 a.m. and sunset at 8:34 p.m. So long, farewell, auf Wiedersehen, adieu, to you, and you, and you and you and you. I always think of Angie when I write that lyric. Ciao.

Good early morning GH. It is just past 4:00 a.m. in "The City." I am up because I am. Nothing in particular with regard to any aches or pains. But I digress. The current temperature in the Weather Center is 71 digitally reported degrees. Outdoors, the analog weather instruments in the Weather Window tell me that the temperature is 35°, matching the low of 35°. This is April 23, so it should be a bit warmer by now. Sigh. At least we don't have any precipitation in the forecast.

I got an email yesterday from one of the yarn shops on Mary's "Yarn Quest" tour. It seems that when I was filling out the door prize entry for Mary, I also filled out one for myself, and I won. I don't know what it is, but we are going to pick it up today. It is "free" after all. The best prizes are given out on a first come, first served basis. Hey, whatever it is, I'll take it.

Tuesday, the plumber came and replaced the broken outdoor faucet. The old one was damaged beyond repair. He didn't even charge me for my supervision. Best of all, he didn't have to move anything in the mud room, the valve connection was accessible under the laundry sink. All in all, about one hour. He also told me that the main water valve in the basement didn't need to be replaced, so that saved me some money. That means that my "free" door prize is closer to being free.

On Tuesday, I also cleaned the tile floors. That included dusting, steam cleaning, and making them look as nice as they did when we moved in. I also took time to vacuum the carpets, but they still need a good cleaning too. That will wait for a consistently warm spell sometime this year, assuming that that ever happens.

I also found time to read the magazine section from the N.Y. Times, and then work part of the crossword from that same magazine section. I haven't done that in months, so it felt good to give it another try. I am doing well so far. Then the day was done and it was time to try that chili that Mary made on Monday. Like always, it tastes better after sitting a day or more. A few oyster crackers, a little shredded cheddar cheese, and some hot sauce to give it the kick that I like, and it was great. Mary likes her chili to be a bit less spicy, so I am free to augment at the table.

Today, we plan to pick up my door prize and then relax until later this week. Mary has a new project coming in on Friday, so I'll have to once again earn my keep by highlighting. That's okay, since I have had some time off from those duties.

I heard a train earlier, but that was about 12:00 a.m. I haven't heard another, so either I missed one, or it hasn't come through yet. Seeing is believing as they say.

By the by, I lost my desktop gadgets on my computer. I tried re-installing them, but they haven't reappeared. I'll have to try shutting down and restarting to see if that helps.

In sports, the boys in blue have now won two in a row with last nights 9 - 2 win over the even more hapless Diamondbacks. I'm sure the boys in blue are euphoric. Now they are only five games below 500. Wait til next week. The Tigers also beat that other team from Chicago, 8 - 6, to move to 10 - 7 on the season. My beloved Red Sox once again fell to the Yankees, this time by the lopsided score of 3 - 9. They are not looking good this year at 9 - 12. Can last year's World Series winning manager be the first to be sacked for losing this year? Stay tuned. The Caps once again lost to the Hot Rods by a score of 0 - 5. They are now even in their league at 9 - 9.

In other sports news, the Bulls lost their second home playoff game in a row to the Wizards, who had a similar regular season record to the Bulls. Now they move to an even less friendly court in Washington. The Blackhawks play again tonight as they attempt to stay alive in their playoff series. Currently they are at 1 - 2.

So that looks like enough for today. Sunrise will be at 6:48 a.m. and sunset at 8:34 p.m. Ciao.

Good early morning GH. It is just past 4:30 a.m. in "The City," and the current temperature, according to the analog instruments located in the Weather Window, is 48°. While Monday started out warm and pleasant, the day degenerated by late afternoon. In fact, Sugar the Weather Dog knew it was going to rain before we did. She made a beeline to her hide-e-hole as the front moved in. We looked out the window and saw the first drops, after she had departed. We anticipate today's high to be no more than 47° with a low of 33°. That's why Mary has delayed the transplantation of her indoor garden to the outdoors. That same weather scenario is supposed to repeat itself on Saturday. As the local television/radio weather forecaster lamented, this is going to be a roller coaster year.

As Mary and I were walking through Central Park with Sugar the Weather Dog on Monday morning, we noted that the tulips were coming up. No flowers yet, just like in Mary's tulip pot in the back forty. Two years ago, it got so warm, that the tulips here in town and in Holland, MI, home to the Tulip Time Fest™, became stems before the May 3 Tulip Time™ fest. This year we joked that it might be "Bud Fest" instead. Two years ago was the year that we had 80° plus days in early spring that ruined the fruit crop when the temperatures plunged back below freezing and the early buds were damaged on the fruit trees.

So we wait and watch as the natural order of things plays itself out.

I phoned the plumber on Monday and he is set to come this afternoon. We started using his services when we first moved in, and so we trust his work and his skills. No ups and no extras, to borrow from that long ago car painting pitchman. The plumber does what you ask or what you need and that's a great thing.

Monday afternoon found us at the grocery store to get a few things that we lacked. When we got back, Mary spent a few hours in the kitchen slaving over a hot stove. She groused about the heat, but in fact, she loves being able to chop and blend. I did the laundry. Today I'll steam clean the floors after her efforts in the kitchen. She made cauliflower sauce that is a great base for many sauces. She just has to augment it for various dishes. She also made chili using a recipe that she actually follows, with regard to the amount of spices. She plays with the amount of garlic, onions, peppers, and tomatoes, but she believes, and I agree, that the balance of spices should not be altered.

She even found time to make her sauerkraut and Swiss cheese sandwiches for lunch before we went to the grocers. Sugar the Sous Dog was there for all of Mary's culinary efforts on Monday. Sugar gets cauliflower and thinks she is getting something special. We don't tell her that it is essentially no calories and good for her.

Some of the things I didn't get to on Monday I'll work on today. By the time I was done with the laundry etc., I just wanted to relax. Retirement is such hard work sometimes.

I heard a train go by around 12:00 a.m., probably heading south. The northbound train came through about 4:15 a.m. Twin EMD GP 38 locomotives in their usual livery, 32 covered hopper cars, one with Seaboard Line livery, 10 of those dreaded black tank cars and two white ones, along with one lone box car. I feel like Dick Fox, a writer for the Grand Haven Tribune, who reports on the comings and goings of the commercial ships here in the GH area. He only writes during the shipping season and does a great job. I have more trains to report on, but they are not all that varied as a rule.

In sports, the boys in blue rebounded with a strong win on Monday night over the Arizona Diamondbacks, 5 - 1, but they are still sporting a 6 - 12 record and are ensconced in last place. Unfortunately, my beloved Red Sox are not faring well either. They too are in last place, following a 6 - 7 loss to the Orioles. The Tigers dropped one to that other tam from Chicago, but the Tigers are still one game up in their division. The Caps fell too, to the Bowling Green Hot rods, 4 - 7. The Blackhawks handed the Blues of St. Louis a 2 - 0 defeat to move to a 1 - 2 deficit in their playoff series. The Bulls also lost, to the Charlotte Bobcats, 86 - 91. That followed a loss to the Washington Wizards. The Bulls are still headed for the playoffs with a winning record.

Sunrise will happen soon at 6:50 a.m. and sunset at 8:34 p.m. We are as far west as you can get in the Eastern Time Zone. Ciao.

Good early morning GH. It is just after 12:30 a.m. in The City," and the current temperature is 61 very comfortable degrees. Our high on Sunday was in the low 70s. Best of all, that first number is the outdoor temperature at 12:30 a.m. The climate controlled temperature in the Weather Office is 74°. At the risk of repeating myself, "What's not to like?" Mary and I spent the day on the back deck of the Palatial Estate, where we started with a breakfast of tea, grapefruit halves, and toast. After our morning walk with Sugar the Weather Dog, during which we remarked on the beautiful spring day, time got away from us. So we enjoyed lunch on the deck too. I was going to clean the car of its accumulated winter grime, but by the time I made a quick, temporary repair to the water system outdoors, it was time to listen to the boys in blue, a decision that I came to regret. More on that later.

Unfortunately, the weather that we enjoyed on Sunday afternoon is soon to depart. We expect a high of 56° today, accompanied by a 60% chance of T-storms. Then on Tuesday, we plunge to a high of 45°. That high temperature is a harbinger to the low of 33°. That means that Mary's indoor garden will remain indoors until at least Wednesday, to avoid any risk of a chill.

Speaking of the boys in blue, they came off a solid win on Saturday, to treat their fans to a 2 - 8 loss on Sunday. As a lifelong fan I am as frustrated as any fan should be, whether young or old, like me. I am tired of waiting until next year. If the "core" team the management is touting to bring a championship to the team, "Next Year" doesn't produce any better than they did on Sunday, then "Next Year" is a long way away.

I know that sportscasters have often said that the huge contracts of today's players shouldn't bear on their performance, I don't agree. If you are going to ask for or receive huge sums of money to play a "kid's game," then you had best be prepared to play at a high level, everyday. Right now, the boys in blue are playing like a AAA team at best. While it is true that other teams are struggling too, they don't have the long record of futility that the boys in blue continue to offer year after year. Oh well, no one in management is listening anyway.

In better baseball news, the Tigers moved to 9 - 6 and first place in their division, as they eked out a win over the Angels, in an error filled game, 2 - 1. That's why becoming a Tiger's fan is easy. My beloved Red Sox moved up to a record of 9 - 10, two games back of the Yankees, with a win over the Orioles 6 - 5. The Caps had the day off. I'm not reporting on other sports, because as I often say, "Baseball is life."

Mary had to create from what she had on hand as her plans got altered by some "overripe" tofu. I liked her replacement meals. As she often says, "Recipes are just suggestions." That's like Adam's "Speed limits are just suggestions." Mary used part of one recipe to make a glaze for the carrots she made for lunch, and that turned out great. She also used the rice and beans that she made the other day for a taco filling for dinner, and that too was good. The Coleslaw we had for lunch was just average. It needed something, which I think was some vinegar and sugar, to make it better. In this case, I experimented once and got closer to what I like. Coleslaw doesn't follow her recipe dictum too well. It needs a fixed recipe to ensure a quality outcome.

Today I plan to do some laundry, finish our puzzle, and read more. The expected T-storms this afternoon, mean that indoor activities are more appropriate in the p.m. today anyway. A bit of playing the "Girls" is in order too. I have to call the plumber to set an appointment for those repairs I mentioned in my last blog. While my temporary repair is functional, it isn't the long term solution. I think I'll help Mary wind that last skein of yarn for my afghan too.

Sunrise will be at 6:54 a.m. and sunset at 8:32 p.m. We need to go to the grocery to replace some items in our larder, but that is at our discretion. Nothing that can't wait. Ciao.

Good morning GH. It is just past 1:00 a.m. in "The City," and the current temperature is a balmy 54° as we come off of Saturday's high of 59°. Today we are expecting a high of 60° under partly cloudy skies. However, the chance of precipitation is 0%. I'll take it. Monday we are expecting a high of 55° with a 60% chance of T-showers. As the week progresses, the chance of precipitation drops to less than 30% and the temperatures will also drop no lower than 47° on Tuesday, before they rebound to 61° on Thursday. The farther out you look, the forecast becomes more problematical and therefore, I'll update as the week progresses.

Saturday, Mary and I worked in the gardens of the palatial estate. I had my Irish Jam session in the p.m., so before I could assist any further, I had to go. We did go north to Mantague to pick up some additional mulch and then Mary dropped me off at the jam. While I had some aches at the jam, I was able to play most of the time. When I got back, Mary was done gardening, but she was unable to turn on the outdoor water faucet to water her efforts. The faucet is one of those frost free types, and my sense is that it will take a plumber to resolve the problem. We used a work around by hooking the hose to the indoor faucet of our laundry sink. As you can imagine, that is very temporary, and so I'll have to call the plumber. I was going to do that anyway for another issue, so I can at least combine the service calls for a single fee.

After that, we walked up town for dinner and then came home. I am done walking for the next couple of days, as my blisters have blisters. Since I have an appointment at the podiatrist on Thursday, that will be resolved shortly. Since I did very little walking this winter due to my shoulder, I didn't build up my tolerance for walking. Then when I began to break in my new shoes I got blisters that have never really healed. Normally, I don't have a problem.

Sugar the Weather Dog was enjoying a bone in the "Bone Zone," when we walked up town. Since we couldn't leave her outside, we brought the bone into the mud room. However, when we weren't looking after we came home, Sugar once again surreptitiously carried her bone into the dining room and continued cleaning her teeth. Thankfully, we haven't had the carpets cleaned inside the Palatial Estate for spring. Sugar thinks of the carpet as a giant sized napkin for her nose.

The boys in blue responded to a message from their new manager coming off of Friday's loss to the Reds by tallying an 8 - 4 win on Saturday. Now they are at 5 - 10 on the season. Elsewhere in Chicago sports, the Hawks fell to 0 - 2 in the playoffs as they lost to the St Louis Blues, 3 - 4. In addition, they may lose a player to suspension for a rough hit on a St Louis player. I saw the play, and even by NHL standards, it was over the top.

Returning to baseball, my beloved Red Sox once again fell to the Orioles, this time by a score of 2 - 4, and they are now at 8 - 10 on the season. On the plus side, the Tigers defeated the Angels by a score of 5 - 2 to go to 8 - 6 this year. The Caps fell by the slimmest of margins to the Cedar Rapids Kernels, 6 - 7. That dropped their record to 9 - 7, a full 2.5 games behind the Midwest League leading Dayton Dragons.

Otherwise, not much on tap for the day. We'll read the paper, read some books, and enjoy a few things that Mary has planned for our culinary delight. Since the weather is supposed to be pleasant, we may eat on the deck. A perfect day for it. Sugar may even get a return trip to the "Bone Zone."

That looks like enough for the day. Rest, relax, repeat. The sun will rise at 6:54 a.m. and set at 8:32 p.m. Ciao.

Good early morning GH. It is just past 4:00 a.m. in "The City." Currently, the indoor temperature as reported by the sophisticated, digital, and highly accurate instruments in the Weather Center is 71 climate controlled degrees. According to the analog instruments in the Weather Window Station, the outdoor temperature is 35°. A reminder that this is April 19, 2014. Yesterday, Mary and I went from feast to famine when it comes to the temperature. After having our morning meal indoors, we repaired to the front porch of the estate for our morning tea. Since this was our first foray onto the front porch, I had to clean the furniture of the winter's dirt. If the National Weather Service forecast is correct, we should see 60° today, and 70° on Sunday.

Since we wanted to get a new trowel for the gardens on the palatial estate, the local flower and garden center was just about the right distance for a morning walk. Accompanied by our intrepid Weather Dog, Sugar, we set out. Once there, Sugar was invited in and received a biscuit, much to her joy. We got the trowel, noted that the store had a pot and mulch that we needed, and then set out for home. A brief stop at the local butcher/grocery store for some additional Swiss cheese, and more importantly, a new supply of bones for Sugar, and we were again on our way. More on that garden stop information in a bit.

Once at home, I grated the Cole slaw for lunch, Mary made a smaller version of her famous sauerkraut and Swiss cheese sandwiches and we sat down for lunch. Since I had what turned out to be my final P/T appointment for my shoulder, we decided that we would walk to the hospital for the therapy and then to town for a stop at the Post to see Sally.

What a difference a couple of hours can make in the weather. The winds had turned, the wind chill came up, and our brief walk to the library for the return of some books, convinced us that we were now under dressed and so we returned home to get the car. We could have changed to warmer clothing, but discretion being the better part of valor, we picked up the car.

Rather than wasting time during my P/T appointment, Mary drove to the garden center, got those items previously mentioned and then journeyed to the hardware store to get a replacement tube for my wheelbarrow. The existing tube was shredded beyond repair by that long winter of inactivity. Two hardware stores later, she found one that should work, and still made it back to pick me up before we went to see Sally.

During my P/T appointment, the therapist expressed the view that although I still need to gain some strength, there was nothing more that he could do for me and I was discharged from therapy. If it is determined that I need more rehab later, all I have to do is see the doctor and get a new prescription for additional therapy. Although overjoyed that I succeeded at therapy, I'll miss the structured activity of going to therapy.

I came upstairs, Mary was there and we were off to see Sally. I took my unneeded quarters along for Sally, since she is a collector too. Since I had made a list to assist in finding additional coins, I took that too. Sally helped me search through the quarters at the Post, and I found several. In addition, I won the toss the dice game that I have been trying to win for a long time. We stopped at our second favorite watering hole on this side of the bridge for appetizers and then came home. By the time we left there, it was really cold on the waterfront.

Once home, we listened to the radio as Mary read and I worked a crossword puzzle. Sugar was more than happy to sit in my lap. Finally I was tired and I went up to the media room for some TV watching.Then when I began to fall asleep there, I went to bed. No trains tonight, since it is Saturday morning.

I forgot to mention that when we were at the Post, and later at that second favorite watering hole, we watched the boys in blue squander another fine pitching performance by the staff ace. They lost 1 - 4 and are now at 4 - 11 on the season. As long as I am on the subject of sports, the Tigers were crushed by the Angels, 6 -11. They are now at 7 - 6 on the season. My beloved Red Sox fell 4 - 8 to the Orioles and they are now at 7 - 10 on the season. I hope they right the ship soon. The Caps moved to 10 - 5 on the season with a nifty 5 - 2 win over the the Cedar Rapids Kernels. One out of four isn't bad, is it?

Today, Mary and I plan a bit of gardening. I have to remind Mary that we need to disinfect our clay pots for the year with a mild solution of bleach. Then I can repair my wheelbarrow. Later in the afternoon, I am off to the library for the monthly Irish Jam session. Now that my shoulder is feeling better, it should be an enjoyable experience once again. After that I plan to sit and do very little. Monday is time enough for additional housework, as Mary is planning a dinner that is special for Sunday, while we watch the boys in blue find a new and innovative way to lose a game. Sunrise today will be at 6:54 a.m. and sunset at 8:32 p.m. Ciao.

Good early morning GH. It is just past 3:00 a.m. in "The City," and our current temperature is 42° as we head for today's high of 49°. However that comes with a caveat, because Thursday it got a lot warmer than the forecast indicated. So it could be warmer, cooler, or anywhere in between. In addition, our greatest chance for precipitation is Thursday, when a 40% prediction has been made by the National Weather Service. Closer to home, the local "Weather Office" is predicting that when sunrise occurs at 6:53 a.m. this morning, we will have weather and we will have sunshine and clouds. I know that's a tough forecast to have to make, but sometimes we "Weather Guys" have to go out on a limb.

Thursday, Mary and I worked in the yard in our fleece vests and long sleeve shirts. The temperature had reached the upper 50s and we felt certain that were safe to do that. We got the leaves off of the rose garden in the front of the "Palatial Estate" and Mary planted some tubers she had picked up during our visit to the Home and Garden Show in GR early last month. We have hopes that their chosen location allows them to thrive. Once we were done out front, we moved to the back forty of the "Palatial Estate," and emptied some dirt into our newly created mulch pit from one of the planters. We have hopes that the mulch pit will provide nutritious soil for future gardening instead of having to buy pre-made mulch. That used to work well in our old home. Time will tell. That and the ability of the gardeners to dig it up and move it about.

I must mention that Sugar the Weather Dog joined us out back in her person "Bone Zone." We have to get more, because that was her last one. When we came in, we brought the bone into the mud room. Sugar rediscovered it there later when Mary left the door open, and while Mary and I weren't looking, Sugar surreptitiously retrieved it carried it into the dining room. Fortunately it was already clean on the outside, so no dirt was transferred to the carpet.

I discovered that my wheelbarrow that I built last year and aired up, had a flat tire. When I tried to air it up this year, all I heard was the sound of escaping air. The thing was never used, so I am not happy. I am hoping that the problem is the connection to the air pump, but I have my doubts. I may take the wheel back to the store where I bought it and demand that they make it right. There is a limit to my  forbearance. I know that Adam would say that you get what you pay for, but in this case, since I didn't use the item at all, it should be able to last more than one winter hanging in the garage. My dad would never accept this as "normal" for a tire.

We decided after more raking and dirt moving that we would go for some additional mulch and save our backs. A good idea, but the garden place was closed. So we went to a nearby grocery store and that was a pleasant experience.

Finally we landed at what might now be our second favorite watering hole, and the first place winner on the other side of the bridge leading to Spring Lake. Cold beverages and a special that gives you a pizza and a pitcher of beer and a two topping pizza for $15.00. You can also get two ten inch sub sandwiches for the same amount. We didn't know what to expect, but the pizza was good. It came from a shop a few doors down. Turns out that the shop also delivers to GH. What's not to like?

I should mention that we were caught in a backup at the drawbridge over the Grand River on our outbound trip. However, I think the bridge tender was just messing with traffic to see what would happen, because we saw no boats once the bridge was down and we passed over it. I think that the guy in charge of bridges in NJ, who recently resigned, has transferred here. What was the quote there? Oh yeah, "Time for a little traffic trouble," or words that effect. Since that drawbridge is the only way for people to cross the Grand on Route 31, unless you go way to the east to use the new bypass, it might have been a way to convince people that they need to diversify their route choices.

Locally, MIDOT has floated an idea that they should remove our Beacon St./ Route 31 parkway and give us more lanes to ease traffic congestion. But since that drawbridge will not get any wider nor quicker, that wouldn't make a difference, especially when pedestrians try to cross Beacon. Oh well, somebody's crony probably needs a construction project. There is a move afoot to increase the road tax millage to fill potholes. In GR, some suggest that they are letting the holes grow in depth and number to cause people to vote in favor. As it is, there has been a tax collected for years to repair roads, but no one knows where that revenue is going, only where it isn't.

Today I have a P/T appointment, which may be my final. I am able to work on the "Palatial Estate" without much shoulder pain, so it may now be a matter of patience and strength building. In fact, I can play my "Girls" with little pain too. That was always my goal. I think that my back ached more after yesterday's activity than my shoulder.

Other than that. Mary and I have a bit of additional planting to do in our gardens, and then I can get on with the balance of my day. I have little else that is pressing. Sunset will happen today at 8:29 p.m.

I think that I heard the southbound train around 12:30 a.m. I haven't heard anything since then. If there is going to be a northbound run, it will have to happen soon. Update, it happened at 4:05 a.m. The usual twin EMD GP 38 locomotives in their regular livery, followed by 22 covered hopper cars, some sporting livery courtesy of our local West MI "Taggers." Tow white tank cars, two box cars and two of those dreaded black tank cars.

In sports, the Tigers downed the Indians 7 - 5 to move back into first place in the AL Central by one half game over the Twins and one full game over that other team from Chicago. My beloved Red Sox defeated those guys 3 - 1, but the Sox are still a sub 500 team in the AL East. The boys in blue had a travel day off as they came back to Chicago to face off against the Reds this afternoon. The boys are currently at 4 - 10 in their division. The Caps are now at 9 - 5 and one half game back following their defeat of the Cedar Rapids Kernels, 4 - 0. Ciao.

Good early morning GH. It is just past 1:00 a.m. in "The City," and the current temperature is 43° as we drop to our overnight low of 36°. Once again, the snow is almost gone with yesterday's 52° high. We netted out with 2 1/2 inches of snow on Monday night and most of that has now melted. In Detroit, they had to cancel Tuesday's Tiger's game against the Indians due to snow on the field at Comerica Park. In addition, the snow that fell in Detroit set a record for seasonal snowfall. Personally the snow set a record for me too, in the category of  "Oh no, not again!"

To make sure that all of the parts were there, I set up Mary's new planter in the living room. The parts were all there, but now we are trying to decide where to place it on the deck, if and when spring ever springs. I suggested that maybe Mary could start her seedlings in it to give them a head start. Mary's indoor garden is getting too big for its pots. If we don't get them outdoors soon, they'll become so root bound that they may not survive.

Mary and I did the second leg of her Yarn Quest on Tuesday. It was a nice ride for me, but for Mary it was a voyage of discovery in the cold. We traveled through Kentwood on our trip and we confirmed what we already knew or thought. Weekdays are palatable on the roads there as compared to weekends, but it is not the stuff of "Pure Michigan," that the state touts. Part of our journey even caused Mary to take the expressway and she even survived, much to our collective dismay. Still, I doubt that she would want it as a steady past time. Neither would I.

I just watched the southbound train go by. The usual twin EMD GP 38 locomotives trailing 22 covered hopper cars. Once again, four of those cars looked like they have seen better days.

Since I am on the subject of trains, I should mention that the South Shore line that we took on Saturday and Monday traveled through some rather depressed neighborhoods in Indiana. Closed factories, and boarded up houses. Not unexpected for an area that saw its main employer, big steel, slowly close the mills and then their associated businesses. Then of course, the grocery, hardware and drug stores soon followed. Finally, all that is left are homes that no one can sell. It isn't the fault of the people who live there, it is a sign of the times and the lack of spine by too many in power. World trade improves the bottom line, but not the lives of people who are left behind.

Further evidence of our industrial was provided as Mary and I finished off her Yarn Quest at a new shop in Muskegon. The city is trying to make a comeback, but when you have no residents in an industrial town, you have no customers. It is going to be a long haul. What is left, is a city of torn down or abandoned buildings and little else. I like Muskegon, but if it survives, it will be a miracle. A tiny downtown area surrounded by blight. Smaller than Detroit, so there is a chance. We'll see.

In sports, the boys in blue fell to the Yankees yesterday, twice. First game, 0 - 3. Second game, 0 - 2. That leaves the boys with a 4 - 10 overall record. My beloved Red Sox are at bat in the top of the 14th tied at 4 - 4 against that other team from Chicago. The Red Sox took a two run lead in the top of the 14th and now it is up to them to hold it. If they do, they will improve to 6 - 9 on the season. Its over! Red Sox win, although they are not faring much better than the boys in blue. As I noted earlier, the Tigers were snowed out on Tuesday night and yesterday they lost to the Indians 2 - 3. They are now in second place in their division, behind that other team form Chicago and just ahead of the Indians. The Caps dropped a close one to the Quad City River Cats 2 - 3. However, they still an overall winning record of 7 - 6.

Today, I have to help Mary wind the yarn for the finish of my Christmas afghan. Given the way that the winter is hanging on, I may still need it in June. I may play the girls again today, just as I did on Wednesday, While due to my scratchy throat, I couldn't sing well, I think that my playing was better. Less pain in my shoulder than in days and weeks past. Perhaps one is the result of the other.

Mary has some broth cooking in the slow cooker overnight. The house smells great. Neither of us had enough ambition to pour it off last night, but it wall wait. It is probably driving Sugar the Weather/Sous Dog crazy. Too bad that it is filled with onions, so she can't even have the leftovers. However, by the time that the slow cooker is done, there won't be anything left to the vegetables anyway.

Laundry is done. Our puzzle is still waiting. Mary picked up some new to us books from the library yesterday. I still have to finish the one I"m reading now. Given how it is going, I am not sure I want to. Too much blood and gore for me. If you are a fan of that type of fiction, fine. But I am not.

Good morning GH. it is just after 10:00 a.m. in "The City." contrary to beliefs or hopes, winter has not gone away and been forgotten. In fact, "It's Back." Here are some fast pictures I took a few minutes ago to illustrate my point.

But to borrow from Leslie Nielsen's character in the movie Airplane!, that's not important right now. Our current temperature is a brisk 26°. The forecast from the National Weather Service calls for a high today of 32°. Yes, that means until we climb back into the forties for the next several days, the snow will be with us for at least one more day. By Monday of next week, we get back tot he fifties and then finally, Thursday of next week, we are forecast to see our next 60° day. Enough already! 

Mary and I traveled to Chicago over the weekend to attend the celebration of life for Barb, our recently passed friend, sister in law, and all around great to know person. She and Ed, Mary's brother and Barb's husband of 41 years, along with friends Debbie and John, last visited us here in GH in the fall of 2012. We showed them the sights and together we attended the Irish Fest in Muskegon. As someone who plays regularly with our local Irish Music Jam session at the library, just having a real South-side Irishwoman along for that trip made me feel just a bit more Irish for that day. Both Mary and I will sorely miss Barb. If I may, I'd like to quote an old Irish blessing in Barb's honor.

May the road rise up to meet you

May the wind be always at your back

May the sun shine warm upon your face

and rains fall soft upon your fields

And until we meet again

May God hold you in the palm of His hand

After that, I don't have much to say. My thanks to Stephany and Adam for their chauffeur services during our visit to Chicago. They were kind enough to take us to one of their "Favorite watering holes," during our visit. When we parted, I did get a chance to hug Stephany, but not Adam due to the cold and rain. Thinking of Barb, I'd like to suggest to all, that they find the time to give a hug to all of those you hold dear each and every day. You never know when that hug may be your last. 

Today, Mary and I are off on the annual "Yarn Quest." Mary will have more to say about that in a future blog. We started the quest yesterday afternoon on our way home from Chicago. Mary allowed me to choose a pattern and some yarn for a hat that I liked at the store. Ciao.

Good early morning GH. It is just past 3:00 a.m. in "The City." Our temperature is a slightly cool 43°, but we are supposed to reach a high of 60° today. Sunday we drop into the 50s, and by Monday, we fall all the way into the 40s. Friday was a beautiful day here in GH. The temperature got into the 60s and the walking was wonderful. Today we will experience cloudy skies and a 60% chance of showers in the afternoon. It will likely be a tad windier too. Sunday when the temperatures continue their free-fall, the showers become T-storms and their chance grows to 90% both Sunday and Monday as the winds increase.

We were supposed to experience the Lubbers Cup boat race this weekend. The race has been held on Spring Lake for many years, but the ice was being stubborn this year on Spring Lake. The city of GH offered to host this year so that the rowers could use the Grand River channel for a shortened course. Now that the ice has receded on Spring Lake, the original longer course is once again available, so the race has been moved back to the original venue. Sigh, I was looking forward to seeing the race for the first time. I took some pictures of the prospective course during our morning walk. But, now the open waters of the channel will remain just that, open waters this weekend. On the plus side, the increased chance of T-storms would make our attending the race highly unlikely.

Sugar the Weather Dog, Mary, and I took a long walk on Friday morning. We found out about the race returning to Spring Lake when we picked up the morning newspaper. We returned home, and Mary and I did a bit more work in the yard. Things are slowly melting, just like the wicked witch. I took some additional pictures of the nearly gone snow for comparison. We had a good breakfast of bagels and cream cheese before we left for our walk. Sugar the Sous Dog and I baked our famous banana nut bread in the afternoon. I baked, Sugar and Mary handled the clean up duties. I think this loaf is my best yet. While the bread was baking, I finished the laundry. After the banana nut bread came out of the oven, Mary made grilled cheese and a salad for lunch.

 I let a bit of doing nothing occupy my time while Mary did some work related things, and then we decided to go to the Post to see Sally. We took a piece of the banana nut bread for her. It turns out that Friday was Sally's birthday. Most people knew, but it was not part of our collective memory. We wished her well, had a few drinks, and then set out for home. Mary decided that take out sandwiches were better than anything she could or would cook for dinner.

Like often happens, I got tired and went up to watch the TV in the "Media Room." I lasted until 10:00 p.m., and then I was off to bed. Sugar was with me for awhile, but once I fell asleep, she left me for her couch. Mary stayed downstairs to knit and rug hook. She is still there.

I have no plans for today. That's fine with me.

In sports, the boys in blue beat the Cardinals in 11 innings, after blowing a lead to them in regulation innings. A three run homer produced a 6 - 3 victory. As usual, the bullpen fueled the flames of defeat before the boys used that homer to win the game. They are now at 4 - 6. The Tigers dropped an 0 - 6 game to the Padres. My beloved Red Sox defeated the Yankees once again, this a time by a score of 4 - 2. They are now at 5 - 6 on the season, just like the Yankees. Both teams are now one game behind the league leading Blue Jays and Rays. The Caps beat the Beloit Snappers 2 - 1, and the Caps are now 4 - 4 for the year.

So without any more to add, here are those pictures I took today and over the winter. Ciao.

This was just a few days ago on March 30

My neighbor took down his "Let it Snow sign, and the pile is gone as of Friday

Our outdoor garden is now snow free and sprouting.

Alas, the empty channel where the Lubbers Cup was to be held.

Our back forty a few short weeks ago.

And me in my winter duds.

And Friday, what is left of that pile I am standing by earlier this winter

Remember this?

All gone.

Good early morning GH. It is just past 12:30 a.m. in "The City."  Our current indoor temperature is 71 digitally reported degrees. Outdoors, the temperature is 40 analog reported degrees. Today we expect a partly cloudy sky. When Sugar the Weather Dog, Mary, and I went walking yesterday, the temperature was reported to be 52°. Both Mary and I thought that our fleece jackets would be fine. However, the front that was supposed to be moving in to produce the predicted rain was moving through at that time.

So, in the face of a hurricane west wind, well, not really. it just felt that way, we didn't get as far as planned before we turned back. My thanks to Gordon Lightfoot for the paraphrased lyrics from The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald, appropriate for our home here on the Great Lakes. Today, we expect a high of 61° under partly cloudy skies, this time with a wind out of the south. That rain never really happened

Thursday, after our walk, I came back and did some serious housecleaning. I polished the cabinets in the downstairs bathroom and the kitchen using orange oil. They look great. I took down the shade for the light fixture over the kitchen sink and cleaned the bulbs and the shade. Mary thinks it may be too bright to work at the sink now. Then I polished the surfaces in the living room and foyer. Then I sat down to finish our puzzle. I still have to find a way to remake that missing piece, but that's something that I'll have to ruminate on for a while.That was enough for me.

I sat down to work a crossword or two, but Mary came down to ask if I wanted to go to the mall with her. Lacking any compelling reason to do nothing, I went along. We stopped in one place and nothing appealed to Mary. At our next stop, she found a pair that she liked and she bought those. They were "on sale," and that made them even more appealing. Home to GH and an early dinner. Then I went upstairs for some TV and rest. Mary stayed downstairs for some rug hooking. I soon fell asleep in the media room. I awoke to the sound of the train going south at 8:37 p.m. I knew it was time for bed.

Speaking of the train, the northbound run happened at about 11:40 p.m. on Thursday. As I think about it, the normal daily turnaround time is about three hours. That's what woke me for this blog. Once I finish, I am returning to the bed for some additional rest. I just had to get up to look and listen to the train as it went by. A train crossing reference for sure. That's the beauty of living on a reality-scale train board. This train was a short one. The usual twin EMD GP 38 locomotives in the usual livery, followed by two covered hopper cars, a lone box car, and a single white tanker car.

Today I plan to bake that banana nut bread with my Sous Dog at my side. I will work more crossword puzzles and listen to more radio. I have to help Mary on one thing, but that shouldn't take long. Otherwise, not much on my agenda.

In sports, the boys in blue were up to their usual tricks. A masterful pitching performance by the lone representative on last year's All-Star squad, was wasted by the bullpen. I think they should come in from the bullpen in a gasoline tanker, as they seem to succeed in torching a victory and turning it into a defeat. They did it again, 4 - 5 from a 4 - 0 lead over the Pirates. Now the boys in blue are at 3 - 6. The Tigers pulled out a win late Wednesday over the Dodgers in 10 innings, 7 - 6. They lead the AL Central 5 - 2. My beloved Red Sox weren't so lucky. They fell to the hated Yankees, 1 - 4. Now they are at 4 - 6 and one full game behind the Yankees. Of course, the Yankees are only at 5 - 5. The Caps fell to the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers 0 - 3, and the Caps are now 3 - 4 on the season. They next visit Beloit, Wisconsin to face the Snappers, for a night game.

Sunrise today will be at 7:09 a.m. Sunset will happen at 8:19 p.m. Ciao.

Good evening GH. It is fast closing on 12:00 a.m. in "The City." Our current temperature is 54° coming off a high today of 57°. Tomorrow the high is not expected to get past 45° under rainy skies. I guess that it's a good thing that Mary, Sugar the Weather Dog, and I got out for nice walk early Wednesday afternoon. I was able to get to my P/T appointment and then home to do a little yard work on the palatial estate. Given the forecast for light rain in the morning on Thursday, and steady rain in the afternoon, Sugar will be getting a short walk tomorrow.

Later Wednesday, Mary and I walked downtown for dinner. All together, I put another five miles on my feet. I have no plans other than to walk Sugar in the morning and perhaps to bake my world famous banana nut bread. My Sous Dog and I work well together in Mary's kitchen. Best of all, I get help with clean up from Sugar, who never met a banana she didn't like.

I am still working on our puzzle, but if I don't get it finished Thursday, no problem. There's always another day. Like always, what doesn't get done one day waits until the next day or the next.

I am still reading that book I got out of the library. However, it isn't having the effect that I'd hoped. I like sci-fi, but this book is a tough read. I may have to get deeper in, but I prefer books that draw me in and make me want to read them. So far, this book isn't one of those.

In sports, the boys in blue moved to 3 - 5 on the season with a 7 - 5 victory over the Pirates. The Tigers are still playing in L.A., so their final score is unknown. Right now they are down by one, 2 - 3 to the Dodgers. My beloved Red Sox defeated the Rangers 4 - 2, so they are at 4 - 5 in the A.L. East. The Caps fell to the Timber Rattlers, 1 - 6.

So that looks like enough for today and tomorrow. Sunrise tomorrow will be at 7:12 and sunset at 8:19 p.m. No trains yet tonight, but it's still early. I heard trains last night, but I didn't add them into my blog. Ciao.

Good early morning GH. It is just past 4:30 a.m. in "The City," and our current temperature is 40° as we head for today's high of 46°. No precipitation is in the forecast until Sunday, when we will have a 60% chance of rain with temperatures hitting 57°. Unfortunately, the next several days after that fall into the 40s. Sigh. Mary has been tracking the sun as it traverses the sky her in our little part of the world. She is trying to get a feel for where her containers should be placed for various types of vegetables. However, without the leaves on the trees here on our yard, it is still difficult to tell.

I think she plans to get her vegetable garden outdoors today for some hardening off. A little sun and then back in for the evening. If everything goes right, we may be able to get the vegetables in the ground outdoors by May. We have most of our seeds now, except for chives, and those should be available locally.

Mary and Sugar the Weather Dog took the morning walk yesterday. They went down to the waterfront and back. I was glad for the respite on my feet. Later we traveled to the craft store in Muskegon so that I could purchase an X-acto knife to finish making the pieces for our puzzle. Then we stopped off at one of the taverns in Spring Lake for a bottle of beer or two and a quick snack. Finally home to await the West Michigan Whitecaps home opener. Mary made some great ballpark nachos and then ballpark style frankfurters as the main course. Both good.

Finally I went upstairs to the media room to watch NCIS and fall asleep. Good news, the Caps defeated the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers 3 - 2. Coincidentally, the Caps are also at 3 - 2 on the season. One of the local TV stations broadcast the game live, which is unusual. The big fire that happened to Fifth Third Ballpark in January was the reason. The park is nearly rebuilt, and they expect to finish by early summer. Looks great. As always, they have some of the best food in West MI.

Speaking of sports, the boys in blue fell to 2 - 5 on the young season. They lost to the Pirates, 6 - 7. Those two teams play again tonight. My beloved Red Sox are at 3 - 5, having fallen to the Rangers 7 - 10. The Tigers dropped to 3 - 2 as they also fell, this time to the Dodgers. It's too early in the season to worry, unless you are talking about the boys in blue.

I did get in some time with the girls on Tuesday and I am ready to tackle that puzzle today. It won't be easy, but I'll make it work. I refuse to let one piece thwart me.

Today I have another P/T appointment in the afternoon. My shoulder is generally feeling better. Next week is my final scheduled appointment. At that time, the therapist will evaluate the need for further therapy. Mostly what I need is more strength and more time. Both are something that he can't give and I'll have to patiently await.

Otherwise, not much on tap for today. Other than P/T, I have nowhere to go and all day to get there. Ciao.

Good morning GH. It is just past 10:00 a.m. in "The City," where the current outdoor temperature is 41° as we head for today's high of 46° under drizzley skies. We are supposed to experience some sunshine this afternoon, and right now the sun is trying to poke through the overcast. By the weekend, we should get to the lower 50s, but then next week it is back to the 40s. I'm not liking it, to say the least.

Monday Mary and I journeyed to the store that sells all things tractor and garden, along with sundry other items. All we got there were some seeds. Hope springs eternal. Then we traveled to the big box everything store for groceries. We still don't like it, but they have some things that can't be purchased at smaller stores. We picked up some black bean based pasta and a spaghetti squash to try a new recipe. Of course, since we were there, we bought some things for our larder that will keep and which are notably cheaper in price.

We made our way back to GH and stopped for lunch at our favorite watering hole. Finally home, to unload the car and just veg out after that. I have some pictures to add that show Mary's indoor garden. According to the man from the local garden house, they will be fine with the buds they are producing. He was here to give us an estimate regarding regrading the shared driveway for better drainage. The estimate is reasonable enough, we just have to get our neighbor to buy in. It's not the cost, just the time the driveway will be out of commission.

Otherwise, I finished selecting all of the puzzle pieces for the final piece I need for our puzzle. Today, Mary and Sugar the Weather Dog will be soloing as my feet are tired from too much walking over the last few days. A little time off of them is just what they need. My shoulder is doing better, and the sweeping and bag filling I did yesterday helped to strengthen it, I hope.

Sunrise today was at 7:14 a.m, and sunset will be at 8:17 p.m. Time to get the day started after I post this bog with those pictures. Ciao.

Good early morning GH. It is just past 1:00 a.m. in "The City." Our current temperature is 39° as we head for a high of 51° with a 40% chance of showers in the p.m. As the days progress, we anticipate that temperatures will continue to be changeable. Back to the mid 40s on Tuesday and Wednesday and then we go back into the 50s later in the week. Sunday shows a high of 56° here in GH, and 57° in Chicago where Adam and Steph live, with a 50% chance of rain. Only time will tell.

Sunday found Sugar the Weather Dog taking her humans for a walk to East Town in the morning. We had to visit the accountant so it was a great chance to let Sugar take the lead and smell all there is to smell. We had a good time too. Later, Mary and I walked downtown and watched the Tigers actually pull a Cubs game out of the hat, losing 1 - 3 to the Orioles. They are now 4 - 1 on the season. It had to happen sometime.

Speaking of the boys in blue, they wrung the slumber out of the lumber and beat the Phillies 8 - 3 on the strength of Ryan Kalish's hot bat. Kalish is another one of Theo Epstein's trades that has paid off so far. The young man was a top draft pick of my beloved Red Sox, but has endured some health issues the last few years. Looks like he is fully mended. Can he keep it up, or are we still in wait til next year mode? Stay tuned. The boys in blue are 2 - 4 on the season.

My beloved Red Sox fell to the Brewers, 0 - 4 as the Brewers swept the series. The Red Sox are now also at 2 - 4 on the season. I hope I don't have to wait til next year for them too. All things considered, it doesn't matter, since baseball and spring go together. In fact, the Caps home opener is Tuesday, and Mary and I are already planning our afternoon around the game which will be broadcast live on television.  Ballpark nachos with gooey cheese and jalapeno peppers, hot dogs with diced onions and overly green relish plus mustard are on tap. Plus, what would a ballgame be without beer? Sounds like a good day to me. For those who don't remember, the Caps are the "A" level farm team of the Tigers. The Caps play in Comstock Park, MI in a ballpark that was badly damaged by a fire earlier in the winter. All reports indicate that the park will be ready for the fans on Tuesday.

Today, we plan to walk to East Town again to get some corned beef for the bagels we picked up downtown yesterday. Mary prefers her bagels with onion, tomato, and cream cheese. I like mine with corned beef. Her sauerkraut and Swiss cheese sandwiches would be hurt by the addition of corned beef, but bagels cry out for it.

I got that stair railing repaired yesterday. I felt like a real handyman again. I have to do other things around here, but like my old neighbor, Marshall, if I do one thing a week, I'll get them all done. No hurry when you are retired.

I turned on Mary's favorite radio program when I left the bedroom. I hope that she is listening to the host tell her all the reasons that being a vegetarian is bad for your health. I think his guest is taking a different stance on the issue. Plus, the New World Order is gong to be discussed too. For Mary, it promises to be a good program.

So, more walking, more fitting of puzzle pieces, and more good meals today. Since we couldn't get bagels on our morning walk, Mary substituted poached eggs on toast yesterday. We both thought that we should do that more often. Fresh sourdough bread and eggs poached just right and a good breakfast/brunch came to be.

I forgot to add earlier that the train came by around 8:30 p.m. yesterday, heading south. As I sit here now, I hear the lonesome whistle of the train heading north. The same pair of EMD GP 38 locomotives towing a very long string of covered hopper cars, some very elderly, one lone box car, and a string of those dreaded black tank cars sandwiched in between the hopper cars.

Once the sun rises at 7:16 a.m. we can get on with our day. Sugar will be raring to go, and with the warmer temperatures, so will we. Then the day will slow a bit, but that is a good thing too. Like I said, as a retiree, the days bend to fit your schedule. Then the sun can set at 8:14 p.m. and we can start over again. Ciao.

Good early morning GH. It is just past 3:30 a.m. in "The City," and the current temperature is 31°. We are heading for a high of 37° today, as we continue trying to get spring to spring. Even here in Michigan, we are so over the cold and snow. Our local letter carrier says that all it takes is a short string of days in the 50s and everyone will proclaim winter officially over. These one day, 60 plus events, are just teasing us. In order to enjoy days in the 50 plus range, we'll have to wait for next Wednesday. However, that brief respite will end by a week from tomorrow, when we drop back into the 40s. Here's hoping that the National Weather Service is wrong. They have been known to be.

Saturday, Sugar the Weather Dog took her humans for a nice walk downtown. It was still cold, but the sunshine made it seem better. That's when we chatted up the letter carrier as he walked his appointed rounds. Sunshine is an important component for getting rid of those winter blahs. We also stopped at the Post Office with Sugar, but that's a story best left unspoken. Sugar was fine, but that's to her credit.

Later, Mary made her sauerkraut with Swiss cheeses sandwiches for our brunch meal. When we were downtown, she stopped in at the bread store for a loaf of sourdough bread that makes these sandwiches taste even better. Along with fresh Swiss cheese, they were one of her best efforts. I confess that there is little that corned beef could add to make these sandwiches any better.

Later in the day, we did get to the Post to see Sally. She was busy, so collectively we didn't get to chat much. However, Mary spent some time with Sally during Sally's break while I chatted up a couple of guys at the other end of the bar. The Tiger's game was on the TV and it made for a good afternoon. I should note that the Tigers nearly pulled a Cubs game out of their hats. They almost blew a great pitching effort by the Tiger's starting pitcher in the bottom of the ninth. Bloopers, bad throws, and outfield gaffes almost combined to undo that great pitching. As long as I'm speaking of sports, the boys in blue were blanked by the Phillies 0 - 2. My beloved Red Sox fell to 2 - 3 after losing to the Brewers 6 - 7 in 11 innings.

Seems as though last year's World Series champs are off to an auspicious start this year, while the Tigers are playing mostly well, with the exception of yesterday's game. The boys in blue are up to their usual low standards. Looks like that "Wait til next year" refrain is more and more prophetic each day. The Bulls did end their season long streak against the Wizards with a solid win as they move towards the playoffs. For those who are still following the NCAA March Madness, the championship game is now set to be between Kentucky and Connecticut on Monday night. So much for those bracket predictions.

Today I hope to get some additional housework done. Plus a few general chores. I don't think that I mentioned that the puzzle people were true to their word. Our replacement puzzle arrived on Thursday. Now with a little help from Mary, I am going to try to find that missing piece for the original. That means sorting through 1,000 pieces to find the right one, we hope. However, given the admonition from the puzzle maker that no two puzzles are alike, that may be one of those tasks they call fool's errands.

So, with those thoughts in mind, I'll close by saying that sunrise will be at 7:16 a.m., and sunset will occur about 13 hours later at 8:14 p.m. Ciao.

Good early morning GH. It is just past 1:30 a.m. in "The City."  Our current indoor temperature is 70°. Outdoors, the analog instruments are reporting 32° in the Weather Window. We anticipate a high temperature around 40° today, depending on what source you consult. All of that will happen under partly cloudy skies. Nothing in the forecast shows that our highs will get out of the 40s anytime soon. Mary's indoor garden plants are getting big enough in their current containers, that they will have to be transplanted, and soon.

Friday found us at the car dealer in Holland for our annual service. When asked about the mileage currently on the clock, I told the service adviser that it was about 7,000 miles. Turns out that it was actually 5,100 miles. I just couldn't read the mileage correctly. However, we did learn some things during our visit. The tires didn't need to be rotated at the low mileage on the car. We do indeed have a rear window washer, and we learned how that worked too. For Adam, we also learned that the car has a shifter that allows the driver to mimic a standard shift with the automatic. Somehow I doubt that Mary will be using that anytime soon. Me either.

Otherwise, not much happened on Friday. Before we left for Holland, Sugar the Weather Dog took me for a walk in the rain. I used to love walking in the rain when I was younger, and I still do. But when the temperatures are in the 30s and the wind is howling, if I had a choice, I wouldn't go. I'm relatively certain that our intrepid Weather Dog would agree. Getting her to leave her hide- e- hole was a challenge yesterday. Like always, she has an uncanny sense when there is a change in a weather front.

Mary and I stopped downtown for lunch when we got back from Holland, and then we came home to roost. Mary journeyed to the local yarn store to pick up a copy of the annual passport for her yarn shop trip. I forget what it is called. I go along on her sojourn, and I have fun, but since knitting and I are not on the best of terms, I truly am just along for the ride. One of these days I may get the hang of knitting, but if I never do, that's okay, because I have plenty of activities to keep me busy. I cite as an example my own quest for the quarters to fill my coin books. Speaking of that quest, I found a Fort McHenry quarter yesterday, and now that has a home in my America the Beautiful coin book.

Today, we may go to visit Sally at the Post after we lay in bed for a while. I may also carry a copy of my coin list to the Post so that Sally can help me. I believe that she likes to collect too, so we can mutually assist each other. I think I'll take my extra quarters to her for her collection. I will read more too, and I will finish the laundry, but that's about it.

I am still feeling tired from our whirlwind week. Mary worked harder than I, but I feel as though I put in my share of work. I got paid yesterday too. As always for me, minimum wage never changes. I got paid with a bean burrito. I like them, but I wonder when and if my wages will ever change. Maybe I need to move to another employer with better benefits.

In sports, the boys in blue fell to the Ryne Sandberg managed Phillies 2 - 7. They are now 1 - 3. The Tigers easily triumphed over the Orioles, 10 - 4, and their record is 3 - 0. My beloved Red Sox fell to the the Brew Crew 2 - 6, which spoiled the Red Sox World Series ring presentation. They are at an even 2 - 2 on the young season.

That looks like about enough for now. Sunrise is at 7:20 a.m. again today and sunset is at 8:12 p.m. again this evening. Ciao.