Good early morning GH. It is just past 3:30 a.m. in "The City." Our current temperature is a steamy 78° as we head down to our overnight low of 66°. The sun will rise at 6:05 a.m. and set at 9:27 p.m., under a waxing crescent moon. Later today, starting around 5:00 a.m., we may see a T-storm. That comes with the usual caveat of a 40% chance. Sugar the Weather Dog will let us know. Tuesday and the balance of the week will be dry, up to and including the Fourth of July. As always, we shall see.

Speaking of Sugar the Weather Dog, she once again demonstrated her prowess as a forecaster without peer. Saturday afternoon she asked to go out. So I clipped her to her tether and opened the door of the mud room. A mere nanosecond later, she was scratching at the door wanting back in. I thought that her tether had been caught in the door, but she wanted in, now! Then she wanted into the kitchen and sped towards her downstairs hide-e-hole. About that point, Mary came down and collectively we decided to go downtown to see the annual Art Festival. As we started out, a clap of thunder sounded over our heads. It was then that I knew why Sugar wanted to get in so badly a few scant minutes earlier.

Mary and I wondered if we should be going, but it turned out, as often is the case, the T-storm went right around GH. North, South or East, it missed. So Sugar was correct, but her fears were short lived. The downtown was crowded with the seasonal crowd, and we had a difficult time getting dinner. I waited for about one-half an hour for a carry out at one of the places, while Mary waited in vain for her desired meal. She chalked it up to the crowd, I say that it was strike two at this particular place. I'll reserve further judgement, but I don't think this bodes well.

I was on my way home when Mary pulled up behind me in the car and told me to get in. Since she had made it home after her less than requiting experience at her choice, and I wasn't yet home, she was certain that I must have been lost or stolen, or at least folded, stapled, or mutilated. No, the place that I had chosen was busy and inefficient in spite of many people falling all over each other in the back. So, I shared my sandwich and fries and then it was time for bed, at least for me.

So that brings us to Sunday morning. Mary had a plan to make French toast for breakfast. Let's just say that we had Jack's famous banana nut bread instead. I had asked the night before if the bread was good, and it was, the night before. By Sunday morning, it had turned moldy. So, we decided to set out to the local butcher store in East-town. I had fed Sugar the Weather Dog her breakfast and when I asked if she wanted to go out, she hightailed it to her upstairs hide-e-hole. To her, there was a disturbance in the force. We got a good laugh out of that performance and demonstration of Sugar's forecasting ability. However a short 10 minutes later, she came down and was ready to go.

The disturbance had been smoothed over. So we set out, got to East-town and purchased more bones for the "Bone Zone" and some baby Swiss cheese, beef jerky, and bologna. Home to drop off the now tiring Weather Dog and our purchases, and then downtown for a replacement loaf of bread. Then a reverse trip to allow Mary to make her famous Swiss cheese and sauerkraut sandwiches on the newly purchased sourdough bread. All of that before 11:00 a.m.

I found time before our sojourn to East-town to use the water from the dehumidifier to water most of the plants on the palatial estate. Only a slight amount of city water was needed for some of the plantings. If that rain doesn't came in a few hours, I'll have to water some plantings that I skipped over yesterday.

I haven't forgotten the trains. I heard the southbound train earlier, but I didn't get up to see it. However, I could tell that the horn happy engineer was once again at the throttle of the GH express. It is still too early for the northbound train.

In sports, the boys in blue lost twice over the weekend to the Nationals. The scores are irrelevant. The boys move on to battle my beloved Red Sox tonight. The Sox, behind the mighty bat of Big Papi, defeated the Yankees 8 - 5 for their second defeat of the Bronx Bombers in a row. No disturbance in the force in NYC.The Tigers were up and down over the weekend, winning on Saturday over the Astros 4 - 3, and then losing yesterday, 4 - 6. The Caps handily defeated the Hot Rods of Bowling Green, 4 - 1.

Today, I will continue my highlighting duties on a new project. That will follow the morning walk with Sugar the Weather Dog. More playing with the girls and then more reading. Sugar and I spent some time in the "Bone Zone" yesterday afternoon. However, the mission was nearly scrubbed when a firecracker went off nearby. Sugar abandoned her bone and once again wanted to go in. I spent some time brushing her in the mud room, removed another dog from Sugar's coat, and by then she had forgotten why she wanted to come in. From then on, the mission to the "Bone Zone" went off without further need for a delay in the countdown.

So far, Mary's current project is not an exciting read. I hope it gets better. Ciao

Good early morning GH. It is just past 2:30 a.m. in "The City."  Our current temperature is 76° as we head down to an overnight low of 65°. As the day unfolds, the National Weather Service is predicting a 30% chance of T-storms, and a high of 76°. Much the same for Sunday and Monday, with the T-storm chances increasing each day and the severity possibly increasing too. Since it is dark outside, the Weather Window and the Weather Roof cannot provide any assistance with the accuracy of the forecast. Sugar the Weather Dog is downstairs guarding Mary right now, but nothing in her behavior is indicative of severe weather. It is a wait and see forecast for me.

No trains this morning nor the next, as the railroad doesn't run on Saturday and Sunday mornings.

Instead of going to the movie I originally intended to see and leaving Mary alone to "chunk", Mary accompanied me to a showing of How to Tame a Dragon 2, at the theater north of GH in Muskegon. It was a subject, Dragons, that Mary can't resist. She even wore her dragon shirt for the occasion which another moviegoer noted and then showed Mary her body art of the same subject. Now Mary thinks she needs a dragon tattoo too. I couldn't resist that juxtaposition of words. We both liked this animated movie as did the children who were also there. I got my humongous bucket of popcorn, but I saved some calories by not having the giant Cherry Coke™. However, on the way back, we stopped at our second favorite watering hole for a "light" lunch, so I made up for the soft drink with a harder version.

In sports, the day was a mixed bag. The boys in blue triumphed over the Nationals 7 - 2. The Tigers fell to the Astros, 3 - 4. My beloved Red Sox continued their free fall, as they lost  big time to the Yankees, sigh, 0 - 6. If the Sox could only beat one team, I'd have it be the Yankees. The Caps eked out a win over the Bowling Green Hot Rods, 1 - 0. So, while the boys and the Caps were successful, the Sox, and the Tigers were not.

Today, my knees should be okay to mow the lawn if it isn't raining. If it is, I'll do the laundry. Mary will be taking the morning walk with the intrepid weather dog while I mow. As I've noted, I only have so many steps in my knees for about two days after each treatment. So, since I am more diligent on the lawn mowing and trimming, I took the lawns on the palatial estate and Mary took the walk. A great division of labor. Once home, Mary will get to that chunking as Sugar rests and I read and relax.

Otherwise, nothing on tap for today. The sun will rise at 6:03 a.m. and set at 9:27 p.m. The T-storms will come, or not. The humidity will remain high for a few days, that's for sure. Mary will chunk, I'll play the girls, and the day will come to an end. We'll start it over on Sunday. Ciao.

Good early morning GH. It is just past 2:30 a.m. in "The City." Our current outdoor temperature is 67°, as we head down to an overnight low of 59°. As the day unfolds, the temperature is supposed to rise to a humid 76° with no precipitation in the forecast until Saturday's 40% chance of scattered T-storms. All of that is a long winded way of saying that I'll have to water today.

Our guests departed yesterday afternoon after a successful visit. Good conversations, seeing the sights on the Harbor Trolley™, and introducing or reintroducing them to some new and old taste treat sensations. Those sensations included a requested stop at our favorite watering hole, a trip to the new yogurt emporium in town, the Pump House, and a visit to Pronto Pup for a taste of one of GHs most famous, deservedly so, gourmet foods. Along with a stop or two at the Post, we had a great time. We believe that our guests also had an enjoyable time.

I made it to my orthopedic appointment yesterday afternoon, for the first of my knee treatments. One down and four more to go. Today I'll have a bit of pain when I walk, but that is the cost of being pain free in my knees for another six months. Since Mary and I like to walk as much as we can, it is pain with gain. Sugar the Weather Dog, Mary's brother Ed, and I, took the morning walk as a team. Sugar was happy to get out and we covered about one-half mile. Later in the day, we all went down to the waterfront so that Ed could dip his toes into the "Big Lake." He had originally intended to go swimming, but one dip into the 67° water convinced him that swimming was not a good plan. It was at the end of our beach visit that we stopped at Pronto Pup. On the deck overlooking the lighthouses and the channel, we bade our guest adieu. They are welcome back anytime.

I heard the southbound train go by earlier, but I didn't bother to get up to see it. Speaking of transportation events, when we were watching the ship and boat traffic in the channel, we saw the articulated barge, St. Mary's Conquest being pulled by it's tug boat, the Prentiss Brown. As it turns out, I decided not to wait for Dick Fox's column in the Grand Haven Tribune next week, and consulted the internet for further info. This particular barge/tug combination was the first ship to visit GH this year. It has changed owners several times since it's launching in 1937 as a steam powered ship. Several re-configurations and name changes later, for both she and her tug boat, she is now hauling cement to the docks in Ferrysburg and other Lake Michigan cities. In a past life, the St. Mary's Conquest hauled petroleum products. Her home port is Muskegon.

As it turned out, I was still at the keyboard to see the northbound train run, not just hear it like I did the southbound train run earlier. Like yesterday morning there were two locomotives, but unlike yesterday, they were towing a long string of covered hopper cars, some of those were covered in graffiti, two box cars, five white tank cars and 10 or 11 of those dreaded black tank cars. Those black cars appear ghostly in the dim streetlight.

For Mary's benefit, the annual GH Coast Guard Fest™ begins on July 25 this year. The Coast Guard cutters Hollyhock, Bristol Bay, and Biscayne Bay arrive on July 28, at 1:00 p.m. That follows the annual car show on Sunday, July 27, 2014.

In sports, the boys in blue defeated the Washington Nationals, 5 - 3. The Tigers were also victorious over the Rangers, 6 - 0. Unlike my beloved Red Sox, the Tigers have righted the ship and are now on a streak, to go to 10 games over .500. The Sox had the day off. The Caps were not so fortunate, as they lost to the Lansing Lug Nuts, 6 - 7.

Today, I may mow the lawn after I walk with Sugar the Weather Dog. Then I'll water the gardens on the palatial estate, followed by a trip to the movie theater for a humongous bucket of popcorn and a gigantic Cherry-Coke™. Mary will be doing something that she calls "chunking" om her indexing project as she also chats with her group. Talk about multitasking. Once I get home again, I can collapse and read the newspaper and another novel. I might even get in some play time with the girls.

So, until the sun rises at 6:05 a.m., I'll be heading back to bed. The sun will set at 9:27 p.m. tonight as the days once again get shorter. Ciao.

Good morning GH. It is just past 5:30 a.m. in "The City." I got up late because the northbound train woke me. I didn't get up to see it, but I heard it and it was two things, 1.) Much later than usual. 2.) Longer than I expected, based on the sound. In weather news, the current temperature is 64° as we drop to our morning low of 60°. Of course how that will happen before sunrise at 6:05 a.m., is beyond me. Sugar the Weather Dog is sound asleep next to the bed, so I know that no severe weather is on the immediate horizon. I wish I could find a forecast that was consistent with that of my Weather Window, or even the intrepid Weather Dog herself. Alas, that seems unlikely. The National Weather Service forecast used for the newspaper versus the one used for the internet is rarely right, and in this case, they diverged significantly.

Speaking of Sugar the Weather Dog, yesterday afternoon she assumed her alter ego as Sugar the Sous Dog. Together, we made our now famous banana nut bread, you know, that one that follows our old family recipe. As is always the case, my able Sous Dog was there when I needed her to assist with clean up, taste testing, and general back-up when appropriate. She assures me that my initial assessment was accurate, the resulting bread tastes great. Thanks for your assistance Sugar, I couldn't do it without you.

Our guests, Mary's brother Ed, along with friends John and Debbie arrived mid afternoon yesterday. We exchanged greetings, took a tour of the grounds and gardens of the palatial estate, and then conversed for a bit before my 10:00 a.m. breakfast wore off. Then we sojourned to our favorite watering hole. Good pub grub and cold drinks as always. Afterwards, Ed and I walked over to pick up his car so that he could park it at the house once again. Mary, Debbie, and John stopped off at the Post to see Sally. Ed and I met them in Central Park, where we listened to a bluegrass style band.

After a while, Debbie and John strolled back to their B & B, as the balance of our group left for home. More conversation, more banana nut bread for myself, Sugar the Sous Dog, and  Ed, and I was ready for bed. We bade Ed goodnight and transitioned to the upstairs wing of the palatial estate, while Ed retired to the guest room.

In sports, John, Ed, and I agreed that the chances of the football team from Chicago having a great year are slim to none, and slim left town. Sadly, the boys in blue were also doomed by our expert analysis. Speaking of the boys, they triumphed over the Reds, 7 - 3. Now they are only 11 games under .500. The Tigers trumped Texas, 8 - 2. My beloved Red Sox are not even treading water right now, losing another squeaker to the Mariners, 2 - 8. Ouch! The Caps too played in a squeaker, losing 4 - 5 to the Lug Nuts of Lansing.

That looks like enough for now. The sun will be rising shortly and then setting again at 9:27 p.m. Before that, we may go down to the Waterfront Stadium to hear the big band dance music, one of Steph and Adam's favorite things about GH. Then perhaps we'll stay for the Musical Fountain show. At this time of year, the fountain's show is delayed by the extended daylight hours. I think I'll trade the extra daylight for the fountain show. Ciao.

Good morning GH. It is just past 1:00 a.m. in "The City." Currently we have a temperature of 67° as we head down to our morning low of 60° before the rising of the sun at 6:03 a.m. takes us to our eventual high of 65° with a 70% chance of rain. In the morning, that 70% fades out, as early afternoon arrives, along with our guests. Wednesday will be about the same, temperature-wise, but with only a slight chance of rain.

Monday I learned that Mary's project could be finished by 9:00 p.m. That was after Mary doing her thing, and then us doing a serious amount of dual editing. That was followed by my singular one and one-half hour editing effort while Mary went to the big-box grocery store. Finally another dual editing effort took us to 9:00 p.m. That beats the last time with a near midnight experience. Like I said when this project began, Mary likes to work against the clock, I don't. So, while she worked during the day, I dusted, did some laundry, and then found time to work on some music.

That pretty much sums up my day, I went out with Sugar the Weather Dog at about 11:30 a.m., because she wouldn't go before that, and then Mary was warned by an alert from the National Weather Service that T-storms were on the way. Let's just say that the rain that fell early, was the only rain that fell. The T-storms never happened. That's why I trust the Weather Window, the Weather Roof, and the intrepid Weather Dog herself. We live in a "Zone of Avoidance" in GH. Somebody needs to tell the National Weather Service. Oh well, even though Mary had to chase Sugar down upstairs with her leash, all ended up well.

Later, in the early evening, Sugar was barking her head off at the downstairs window. Why, you ask. Because the fool with the large Great Dane that he can't control and whom Sugar detests was standing outside on Sugar's sidewalk. When last Sugar and I encountered that fool and his dog last time, I had to restrain Sugar, and that put her in a world of hurt. It wasn't much good for my shoulder either. So I agree with Sugar's assessment. If I could, I'd bark at that fool and his dog too. Mostly though, Sugar behaved herself and allowed us to get our work done.

The southbound train went by about 50 minutes ago. I was roused from my slumber by the horn happy engineer warning the state of Michigan that he was coming. At least I won't have to hear from him for another three hours. I hope to once again be sound asleep. He was driving the usual twin EMD GP 38 locomotives to tow 27 covered hopper cars and three white tank cars. That, along with waking everyone in the Tri-cities area with his horn solo.

In sports, the boys in blue fell to the Reds of Cincinnati 1 - 6. So much for that swagger and Jeff Samardzija's chance at winning another game, even though he pitched a solid effort. That's when the bullpen came in to pour fuel on the smoldering fire.  A hit batsman, a grand slam home run, and the game was over. The Tigers had the day off. Odds are, that my beloved Red Sox should have taken the day off too, as they will likely lose their game in a fe minutes. They were trailing the Mariners 2 - 12 in the top of the ninth. THey lost, 3 - 12. The Caps also had the day off, before hitting the road to face the Lansing Lug Nuts tonight at 7:05 p.m.

I got good news today. My appointment with the back doctor has been moved up to July 7th. That should get me rolling on therapy for my baking yak a lot sooner. I hope that therapy will handle it, because I just don't have the will to go for more aggressive solutions.

Today, I have a little outdoor work to complete after Sugar and I go for our morning constitutional. Then our guests will arrive. That should be fun. As always, the sun will set in the late evening at 9:27 p.m. Ciao.

Good morning GH. It is just past 3:30 a.m. in "The City." Our current temperature is 66° as we head down to a morning low of 59° just before sunrise at 6:03 a.m. Today, we have a chance of showers that is purported to be 50% and a high of 71°. Much the same for Tuesday, except that the high is not supposed to get much past 64°. We'll just have to wait and see.

Sunday found both Mary and I working on the project. In fact, we need to finish it today, once Mary is done with her part. Then I become an editor once again. Mary feels confident that things are going well. Ask me about that tomorrow morning. Sugar the Weather Dog is sleeping downstairs. She often does that when Mary stays below to watch Book TV™. I didn't even stop off to watch TV, I just went to bed. That's what happens when we get home late. We didn't get out until nearly 5:00 p.m. for dinner. Mary made omelets for breakfast, but that was around 10:00 a.m. so they had worn off. Fortunately for our intrepid Weather Dog, Mary fed Sugar before we went out. I don't recall if Mary has witnessed it, but when Sugar wants her dinner or just to be noticed for time in the "Bone Zone", she blocks the rear exit.

I hear the train a comin', it's rollin' round the bend; sounds like the horn happy engineer is at the throttle. The train is late or early by normal standards, as its passage is happenin' at 3:30 a.m. Twin northbound EMD GP 38 locomotives towing a mix of covered hopper cars and two of my "favorite things", black tank cars.

In sports, the boys in blue once again have reverted to their losing ways. The Pirates defeated them, 1 - 2. The Tigers defeated the Indians to sweep their fourth series this season. This game finished at 10 - 4. My beloved Red Sox pulled out a win, 7 - 6, over the Oakland As. Alas, the Sox are still six games under .500, and four games back in their division of the A.L. East. Sigh.

Today, time to walk with Sugar the Weather Dog, watch the gardens on the palatial estate grow, dust, and edit. That should be a full day. I just hope that it isn't still going on at midnight. I'll be up writing before I go to bed. However, there is a saving grace, as noted below.

Speaking of late night activities, the sun will set a 9:27 p.m. I am listening to Mary's favorite overnight radio program, Coast to Coast A.M.™ with substitute host George Knapp. Normally the show is hosted by George Noory, a Detroit native. The conversation is about aliens, Neanderthals, ghosts, the origins of the human species, and miscellany; the usual fare for late night listeners. What does the government know and how long have they known it? Did aliens attempt or possibly succeed in kidnapping the President of the United States, Bill Clinton, a few years back? Those answers and more coming up after 4:00 a.m. There is a great spoof song done by UFO Phil on YouTube™, if you are interested. Ciao.

Good morning GH. It is just past 4:00 a.m. in "The City." Our current temperature is 69° as we drop to our overnight low of 59°, before the sun begins to warm us again after rising at 6:03 a.m. We had some T-storms last night which made poor Sugar the Weather Dog hasten to her hide-e-hole. I slept through the storms after Mary and I got back from downtown. Today, we are supposed to reach a high that is lower than our current temperature. We also anticipate that the chance of showers is 20%. Positive, I won't have to water and natural rainfall is always preferable. Monday, the chance of T-storms increases as does the high temperature, 60% and 75° respectively.

I have 57 more pages to highlight, and then my current portion of the project is complete. I'll have editing to do on Monday. Before that, just some reading, walking with the intrepid Weather Dog, and TV viewing. I am going to give myself a rest from guitar playing, as I spent two hours on Saturday afternoon jamming in our monthly Irish Jam session. While we had a somewhat smaller group, the sound we made was as good as anything that we have produced so far. I did what I often do upon returning home, I took to the internet to find some additional and more detailed copies of the music that I was unfamiliar with.

Given what I was able to do on the guitar more than two years ago, following my surgery, I am very pleased. We'll meet again in July and then take off the month of August to make way for a 40 stage and 80 act musical extravaganza that takes place in the Tri-Cities area on that same day. Several of the people who play in our sessions will be playing with other groups, so our attendance would be small and I can be a  spectator rather than a participant. As is often the case during the summer months, our jam session groups shrink as people have graduations, picnics, trips, other obligations, etc, to otherwise occupy their time.

Speaking of other activities, Mary and I journeyed downtown to observe the BMX bicycle contests that were part of the weekend activities in GH. Those contests were held in the downtown. There was also a Beach Survival Challenge, and a Sand Sculpture contest, logically at the beach, but they were earlier in the day, but neither of us wanted to walk that far. The BMX people were daring, and from our elderly perspective, foolhardy. When you are young you plan to live forever. As you age, you recognize that your life while full and long, is also finite. I also plan to be careful.

Given that Mary had already made a great dinner earlier in the afternoon/evening, and the fact that the restaurants are crowded during "The Season", we took advantage of it being the third Saturday of the month. That means that along with my Irish Jam Session in the afternoon, the Post was open for Karaoke in the evening. Cold beer, nice people, and Sally. Mary and I had never been there for Karaoke before, and we were surprised by the talents of some of the people that sang. Like I often say. "Who knew?" Then it was time to walk home and watch an old movie and get ready for bed.

In sports, the boys in blue lost their recently referenced swagger, as they fell to the Pirates 3 - 5. The boys play the Pirates again this afternoon at the "Friendly Confines." Still, two wins in a row is much better than multiple losses in a row. The Tigers hung a squeaker on the Indians, 5 - 4, to move back into first place in their division. My beloved Red Sox were also involved in a squeaker, but they lost to the As, 1 - 2. Sigh. The Caps in an error filled game, continued their winning ways, also winning a squeaker 6 - 5, over the Fort Wayne Tin Caps.

So today, I have prescribed more bed rest for my baking yak, a short walk with Sugar, the Nose that Knows, and then crossword puzzle solving and reading. I have to remind myself that I have two books on hold at the library. One is non-fiction, while the other is a fiction book I had to return before I could get to it. They need to be picked up by Tuesday and Wednesday respectively.

That looks like enough for one day. The sun will set at 9:27 p.m., as a waning crescent moon takes its place. Ciao.

Good early morning GH. It is nearly 2:00 a.m. in"The City." Our current temperature is 64°, as we head to down to an overnight low of 55°. Today we have a 30% chance of isolated T-storms, which continues on Sunday and builds to 50% by Monday All the while, our daytime temperatures will be in the upper 60s and lower 70s. That's life in the upper Midwest.

Friday, found me having to coax Sugar the Weather Dog outdoors for her daily walk. With the sporadic showers we had on Friday, she was in no hurry to go. I finally took advantage of a lull in the rain to get her out. Even then, I had to resort to a ruse to convince her that she really wanted to go. We made it to the newspaper office and then hurried back home. Mostly she spent the day in her hide-e-holes or with me or Mary in our respective offices.

That was all of the outside activity that our little family got on Friday. I highlighted, played the girls, and worked a crossword after reading Friday's newspaper. I also packed Bridget in her traveling case for our trip to the Irish Jam session today. I finished my highlighting tasks around 7:00 p,m. Friday evening. Mary had finished her work a bit earlier. I watched some junk TV and then Mary came up and wanted to watch a movie. We collectively watched the end of  You've Got Mail, and then Mary watched One Fine Day, starring George Clooney and Michelle Pfeiffer. I retreated to my office and did some additional highlighting. Mary loves post apocalyptic and romance movies. I like junk TV and old movies starring John Wayne or Jimmy Stewart.

In sports, the boys in blue continued their winning ways, as they defeated the Pirates, 6 - 3. The Tigers had an early 5 - 0 lead over the Indians and eventually defeated the Tribe 6 - 4. My beloved Red Sox fell 3 - 4 to the Oakland As. The Caps had Friday off.

Today no watering required. Sugar the Weather Dog may or may not be ready to go out. I find that she can wait a long time for any disturbance in the force to be gone. I'll be gong to the Irish Jam at the library in the afternoon. Mary will be glad that I am gone so that she can work in peace. By then, I'll be way ahead of her with my highlighting. After the jam session I'll return, finish my highlighting, and read the newspaper. Somewhere in there, breakfast will occur followed by lunch.

Mary was down in the kitchen Friday night, and while she was preparing the mushrooms and eggplant for refrigeration, Sugar the Sous Dog was there to assist. I wondered why Sugar left the media room at high speed and Mary clued me in later. Sugar smelled the mushrooms all the way upstairs. The nose knows. Part of Sugar's breakfast will be the mushroom stems that she enjoys.

Since it is the first day of summer, the cold temperatures predicted near the "Big Lake" will  be grudgingly welcomed. However given the 80° temperatures with high humidity predicted for GR and its environs, I'll take the upper 60s predicted for GH and its environs. No A/C required and sleeping is very comfortable. On this longest day of the year, the sun will rise at 6:03 a.m. and set at 9:27 p.m. Ciao.

Good early morning GH. It is just past 3:00 a.m. in "The City." Right now, things are quiet and cool on the weather front. Our current temperature is 66° as we head down to an anticipated low of 59°. Later today, we have a 70% chance of showers. Long range, if you are headed towards GH for a vacation or visit, next week is showing mid-sixties and a very low chance of showers. That's probably a bit far to be looking out, but it has the promise to turn out great.

Earlier this morning at 12:15 a.m., the southbound train rumbled through. I didn't feel like getting up, but the sound was of a train that was not very long. It was loaded, because of the way that the house shook with its passage. The horn happy engineer with the frustrated musical feelings was at the throttle. I could tell by his distinctive style on the locomotive's horns. He loves to hear them wail and moan as he passes through town. I heard the northbound train in the distance and I think the same engineer is at the throttles. I was right, he is. The regular twin EMD GP 38 locomotives followed by one, I repeat one, covered hopper car. That's not a train, that's a waste of fuel. But. if you have to get back to the barn where you started on a short line, you haven't much choice. Since the trains rarely run on Friday or Saturday nights, they needed to get those locomotives home.

Thursday I finished my latest chapter in Mary's project. She says she is behind, but we still found time to go to the medium-box grocery store and then out for dinner at our favorite watering hole. Before we left, I grabbed the returnable cans from the upstairs pantry and took them along. Mary doesn't like the return process and neither do I, but it needs to be done. Cheapskate that I am, I refuse to give up the 10 cent per bottle or can refund that we pay in Michigan.

Earlier in the day, Sugar the Weather Dog and I completed our morning sojourn to the library book return, and then to the newspaper box for the daily newspaper. Sugar has been walking much better on her new ThunderLeash™. While not perfect, yet, she is showing improvement.

Once we were back from our trip, I emptied the dehumidifier in the man-cave and then set out to do some gardening. When you have to go out to the back forty of the palatial estate to transplant, weed, and spread mulch, it takes time. Of course I had to put my John Deere™ hat on my head and my sleeveless shirt on my torso. Finally I mowed the lawns. Fortunately, our neighbor used his power mower to mow the front lawns, saving me additional work.

I think that Adam or Steph told me the other day about a guy who loves to say, "If it isn't red, it stays in the shed." That relates to Farmall™ tractors, I think. I have my own saying, "If it isn't green, it shouldn't be seen."

In sports, the boys in blue had Thursday off before welcoming the Pirates to the Friendly Confines™ on Friday afternoon. The Tigers finally cooled off the red hot Royals, 2 - 1. Now the Tigers are off to Cleveland to face the Indians. My beloved Red Sox took it on the chin again, losing to the Oakland As, 2 - 4. The Caps hammered the Fort Wayne TinCaps, 15 - 4, to open the second half of their Midwest League season.

Today, I plan to relax after my morning walk with our intrepid Weather Dog. I will do more highlighting for Mary, because I am getting into the subject matter. I will also play more music on the girls. I like it when  a plan comes together.

The sun will rise in the East at 6:03 a.m. and set in the West at 9:27 p.m. Just a reminder for anyone wanting to view the world famous Musical Fountain here in GH; that the show doesn't happen until after dark. It is also noteworthy, that the fountain in Central Park is not working right now. There has to be something wrong, or it is in need of a part that has yet to arrive. Wedding planners using the park have probably had to adjust the angles of their photos. By the by, if you want to take a ride on the Harbor Trolley™, a ride for people 60 and older is only 75 cents. Ciao.

Good early morning GH. It is just past 2:30 a.m. in "The City." It is considerably cooler this morning than it was yesterday. The front that produced the cacophonous T-storms of Sugar the Weather Dogs worst nightmares and reality, have since faded into memory. Today we have a 30% chance of more T-storms, but only a high of 75°. That high temperature goes down still lower on Friday to 70°, as the chance of T-storms increases to 60%. Right now our temperature, both inside and outside the Weather Window, is 66°, as we head toward a low of 59°.

With the huge amount of rain we got yesterday, I had to sandwich in the morning walk with the intrepid Weather Dog when there was a slight cessation. We made it to the newspaper office and we were on our way back when the first clap of thunder sounded. We were off to the races. We weren't at full speed until the second peal, and then all bets were off. Mary and Sugar could probably have gone faster, but not by much. Sugar and I got back and she went straight to her hide-e-hole. Mary got her to go out again later, but the results were similar. When the Weather Dog senses a disturbance in the force, such as a front moving in, she can't be moved nor slowed. We knew we were safe later when Sugar moved to her usual perch on the couch.

When I got home I checked the man-cave. We took on a bit of that two to three inches of rain that has caused a flash flood warning in our area. Nothing to worry about, because my trusty wet/dry vacuum pulled in the water left behind that the dehumidifier couldn't handle. I have to remind myself to check that dehumidifier later this morning. That reminder sounds like a job for Mary.

Needless to say, I vacuumed the house instead of mowing the lawn yesterday. The palatial estate is looking like a jungle out there. Maybe today, if the rains hold off. Otherss, with all of this rain.

As an aside, the evening southbound train run occurred at 11:45 p.m. last night. The regular contingent of locomotives, followed by one lone box car, 31 covered hopper cars, one single white tank car, along with seven of those dreaded black tank cars. The rails squealed like "L" tracks in Chicago's Loop. That's one reason why I worry, track maintenance on this line is limited. Plus, I saw the inspection truck going north yesterday afternoon, probably checking for further misalignment of the rails caused by the heavy downpours. I'm not sure, but I think I heard it pass by again a few minute ago.

Although not in the original plans, I was up highlighting, when I heard the approach of the northbound train at 3:30 a.m. Same locomotives, and 28 covered and apparently empty hopper cars. When you are an experienced train spotter like me, you can tell the difference. I am also fairly certain that the horn happy engineer was at the throttles again.

I may have to get out a scythe to cut the grass, that is if I had one. Mary and I have decided that the tomato plant in our garden grows taller as the hours pass.

I got another chapter highlighted for Mary yesterday afternoon. More to go, but with a limited amount of duties and plans today, I'll get more done. I also have to play more on the girls. I was playing and singing well yesterday, so I want to see if I can do an encore. I also have my monthly Irish Jam session coming up this weekend, so I want to be ready.

I have a few books to return to the library on my morning walk with Sugar. Just a slight detour. As long as it isn't storming, Sugar should be amenable.

In sports, the boys in blue won again, 6 - 1 over the Marlins. That moves them to just 10 games under .500. The Tigers fell to their third straight loss, 1 - 2 to the Royals. The Tigers now trail the Royals by one and one-half games in their division. It was a few short weeks ago that the Tigers had a six or seven game lead. I used to worry about my beloved Red Sox, who won over the Twins again yesterday, 2 - 1, not to mention the boys in blue. Now I have to worry about my newly adopted team. Will the heartaches never end? Am I doomed to follow teams that can't put "Ws" on the board? Stay tuned.

So pending the vagaries of the weather fronts, I'll be heading back to bed to await the sunrise at 6:03 a.m. and later the sunset at 9:25. I was considering cracking open a bag of that caramel corn that Stephany gifted me on Father's Day. However with the nose that knows sleeping just a few feet away, I don't know it that's wise. I don't know if it is her hearing or her nose, but Sugar has been known to be all the way downstairs when I go to the upstairs pantry, quietly open to the door, and grab a can of soda. I turn around to find her standing there. So, whether hearing or her Beagle based nose, she will know. That would be a disturbance in the food force. Ciao.

Good early morning GH. It is just past 5:00 a.m. in "The rainy, windy, T-stormy City." Our current temperature, under skies lit up by the bolts of lightning is 74°, as we head for a low of 64°. It was anticipated that we would have a hot and humid night, but the T-storms were supposed to pass by. Not that I'm complaining, but Sugar the Weather Dog is in her upstairs hide-e-hole with her ears covered. Between her fearless forecast, the view out the Weather Window that often is lit well enough to see down the street, and the Weather Roof, I can tell that it is a... "Dark and stormy night..." The rain has arrived, and will likely be with us for the next two to three days, although the heavy lightning has subsided right now. Oops, I wrote too soon, the thunder is back.

The northbound run of the nightly trains is a comin', I can hear the horns as they traverse crossings south of here. I think they waited for the storms to subside too.  The regular coupling of twin EMD GP38 locomotives, driven by the horn happy engineer, is being followed by 18 covered hopper cars, one white tank car, and a lone black tank car bringing up the rear.

Tuesday, Mary worked, I made phone calls and read the biography of John Quincy Adams that I have been working on. A fascinating study of an oft maligned man, who only wanted to serve his country in times that were difficult and beset with a difficult Congress, an apathetic electorate, and issues that kept him abroad for many years of his life. Sounds familiar for some reason.

Otherwise, we did go north in the afternoon in search of a health food store that was listed on the internet by a company as selling the product I wanted. Unfortunately, that store has gone out of business, apparently a while ago. But we reset our GPS device for another store we knew of, and lo and behold, we got to an entirely different store representing that company, the one which has a store about two blocks from our house. Who knew? After that journey, we stopped for lunch at our favorite watering hole on the other side of the bridge. All good, then home for some "Bone Zone" action, more reading, and dinner, before I went up to the media room to watch the TV.

Once again, the boys in blue found a way to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory, as they lost to the Florida Marlins, 5 - 6. Pity poor Jeff Samardzija, who hit a run producing sacrifice fly in the second inning, and still didn't get a win. The usually solid bullpen coughed up a three run homer to win the game for the Marlins. Good news though, the Cubs are talking to Samardzija about a long term contract. I bet, just in time to make the July trade deadline, if he is lucky. The Tigers took it in the neck behind the usually steady Max Scherzer, 4 - 11. My beloved Red Sox closed to five games under .500, as they narrowly defeated the Twins 2 - 1.

The Caps, hosted the Midwest League All Star game, as the West team nearly beat the East team with the first no-hitter in eagle history. The West had to settle for a 7 - 0 shutout. Boog Powell of the Beloit Snappers had a good night for the West team. Apparently this Boog Powell is no reflation to the Boog Powell who played in the majors many years ago.

So that looks like enough for now. The wet grass may preclude my mowing the lawns on the palatial
estate, so instead I'll vacuum the house. If the rain and thunder hold off after the sun rises at 6:03 a.m., I'll take a walk with Sugar the Weather Dog. That depends on her willingness to leave the house. I know she will have to go after her visit to the "Bone Zone." The sun will set at 9:25 p.m. Ciao.

Good early morning GH. It is just past 3:30 a.m. in "The City." Our current temperature both inside and outside the Weather Window, is 74° as we head down to a predicted low of 64°. Later today, after the sun rises at 6:03 a.m., we may see a 60% chance of T-storms. If that's true, I won't have to water the gardens on the palatial estate.. However, Sugar the Weather Dog will not be happy. By the way, I had originally considered adding a forecast from a homemade Weather Rock, but Mary suggested that I didn't have to work that hard. Instead, she pointed out that I already have a Weather Roof right outside the Weather Window. Turns out that she is right. So periodically, I'll add in the forecast from there. Right now, the Weather Roof is dry and still attached to the house. That means that it isn't raining and there is only a light wind. That's at least as accurate as several of the sources I have consulted in the past. When the T-storms occur, if they do, well you get the idea.

Mary, Sugar the Weather Dog, and I had a great morning walk. We strolled over to the local butcher's shop and market, to get some Ricotta and Swiss cheeses. Alas, they had no Ricotta, so Mary got some Swiss for her famous sandwiches and some bologna for me. Normally, I like the imitation bologna made from tofu, but I haven't been able to get any lately. Maybe the stores stopped ordering it because people weren't buying it. There are a few stores in Muskegon that may have a product that is similar to the one I like. It is also possible that one of the big box stores in town may have it, but we don't shop there. One-half the calories, no fat, and of course, very low cholesterol numbers. Otherwise, I'd have to go to GR for the brand I prefer.

Speaking of preferences, as I mentioned in my previous blog, I received several gifts from our children on Father's Day. I will add in a picture of the pick-up truck that I received later in this blog. I also got some snack foods, one of which, caramel corn, was new to me. I find I really like it. As I said in an email to Adam, thank Stephany and tell her, "Please ma'am, may I have another." Please ignore my pleas, as I don't need anymore temptations. Neither does my Sous Dog, Sugar. Hey, why not add the truck picture right now?

"The Duke" lives on and looks great next to my service station.

It actually took the 15 minutes to install, as they stated on the box.  A great product!

Let's just say that it has been a long time since I was able to wield my tools in anger. I loved it. 

Right now, the northbound train is about to rumble by. By the time I walked with Sugar and Mary, By the time I installed the flush valve, finished the laundry and completed more highlighting, I was tuckered out. I missed the southbound train run on Sunday night, and the northbound run didn't happen until late on Monday morning, nearly 5:00 a.m. That means that this run is early by those standards. I guess I missed the southbound run again. Two EMD GP 38 locomotives, one old liveried and one new in the lead, 10 of those dreaded black tank cars interspersed with one lone white tank car and six covered hopper cars. The horn happy engineer appears to be at the throttle. 

I just got up to obey the "summons" given out by the Stretch Break™ app that Mary showed me how to use. She set it for 20 minutes, and so I obey when I am highlighting or writing. My baking yak thanks her.

Speaking of my baking yak, I started to do a regular exercise routine yesterday. Stretching,  and strengthening of my core abdominal muscles will result. I got lazy and stopped, and as Adam said, the doctor told him that the time to exercise is when you don't have pain. Otherwise you are playing catch up. Sigh.

In sports, the boys in blue continued their yo-yo brand of baseball, eking out a 5 - 4 win in 13 innings over the Florida Marlins, to move to only 10 games under .500. I watched just enough of the Tiger's game to see them up by two and then down by eight, only to lose by three to the Royals, 8 - 11. My beloved Red Sox hung another loss on the Twins 1 - 0. The Caps had the day off as they prepare for the Midwest League All-Star game tonight at 7:00 p.m. The Caps already clinched the Midwest League title. What a great year, and their pitching staff will be up to the "Big Club" before you know it. In fact, of the seven Whitecaps players on the All-Star team, six are pitchers.

Today, Mary says I am enough ahead of her that I can take the day off from highlighting. She stopped me at the end of chapter five last evening, as she headed down to decide on dinner. Turns out that dinner was a scoop salad on top of home grown lettuce leaves. Tuna salad with smoked paprika, egg salad with mustard, and cottage cheese. All good by me, especially in light of a lunch that was Mary's famous Swiss cheese sandwiches and winter squash, that Sugar grudgingly shared. I froze the squash last fall, and it was still great.

So, more reading, more guitar playing, and more relaxing. Don't tell Sugar, but there may be some "Bone Zone" in her future, that's if there is no rain. The sun will set at 9:25 tonight. Ciao.

Sorry about that second part in black. I messed up and didn't want to go yak. 

Good early morning GH. It is just past 3:00 a.m. in "The City."  We have a current temperature of 69° as we drop to an overnight low of 56°. According to the National Weather Service, our high to day will be 68° with a 20% chance of showers. Tuesday portends another story though, 73° and a 60% chance of showers. By Wednesday, that changes to 80%. We'll see.

Sunday, Father's Day, turned out to be great. The weather was beautiful as Mary and I got together with Stephany and Adam. We delivered some things that we had at our house, and I got some Father's Day gifts that I truly appreciate. Some chocolates that I have been desiring, and a John Wayne™ themed pick-up truck model. Once I get it placed near the service station on my office shelf, I'll include a picture. Included in my "sweets" was some caramel corn that should be great. I have yet to try it, because after we were treated to lunch, I was simply too full. Fortunately, there is always today. Plus, just being able to get together with the kids, was in itself a gift.

My thanks to Adam and his observational skills for thinking up a better way for me to get myself into the passenger seat of the car. With Adam or Mary driving, I could sit back, enjoy the ride, and only have to navigate a bit. Oh, Adam helped me repair my broken guitar stand using his developing welding skills. Several grinders, a little welding, and paint and it was ready to go. Like much of the woodworking projects that I used to make, the $10.00 guitar stand was repaired by several hundred dollars worth of tools.

I have to get to that toilet repair today. I don't know if I mentioned it before. I'd like to think that it will take less that one hour, but rarely are my estimates accurate. So I'll expect two hours and a possible visit from the plumber. One good thing, the water valve for the toilet is about 10 inches from the toilet, so I don't have far to go to shut off the water supply. If I cross my fingers and toes, I may get lucky.

Otherwise I am hoping that I won't have to water the gardens on the palatial estate, in anticipation of the rain on Tuesday and Wednesday. Like I said earlier, we'll see. Once Sugar the Weather Dog and I return from our morning constitutional, I can get down to business with that toilet. Then more highlighting, more reading, more guitar playing, a little cross word puzzle solving, and the day will be gone. This retirement thing is so taxing.

In sports, the boys in blue actually won again over the Phillies 3 - 0.That's two of three in Philly. The Tigers also won two of three over the weekend, in their case from the Twins, with a final series victory of 4 - 3. Sadly, my beloved Red Sox lost two of three to the Indians. Their score in the last game was 2 - 3. The Caps stayed one-half game of the South Bend Silver Hawks in their division, as they defeated the Silver Hawks, 4 - 1. Next up, the Midwest League All-Star game at 5/3 Ballpark.

I did hear the southbound train with that horn-happy engineer at the throttle at about 11:15 p.m. last night. Since if was earlier in the evening, the extra horn blowing might have been necessary, but I bet that he just enjoys the horn. He does have a distinctive style. Perhaps a musician driving the train, or perhaps just a wannebe. I just saw and heard the northbound run at 4:40 a.m. The usual twin EMD GP 38 locomotives, followed by three box cars, two of those dreaded back tank cars, and 37 covered hopper, cars in what seemed to be a random order.

So that's enough for now. When the sun rises at 6:03 a.m, I'll be sound asleep. When it sets at 9:25 p.m., I'll be watching TV. In between, non-stop busy. Ciao.

Good early morning GH. It is just past 4:00 a.m. in "The City. To borrow from Forrest Gump, that's all I have to say about that. Instead, I'd like to offer up a letter to my father on this Father's Day.


Dear Dad,

It's been a long time since I've written. That's due in part to your having passed away so many years ago, but I thought it was time that I tell you what's been or will be happening with me. On August 30th of this year, I'll be turning 63, but you know that. Shortly thereafter, Mary, my wife and best friend, will be celebrating our 41st wedding anniversary together. My son Adam, will be turning 40, but you know that too. A milestone for him I guess, but for me, 63 is just another year.

I retired at the end of my 16th year of teaching. Yes teaching, something that I'd always aspired to, but from which I got sidetracked by the need to take care of my family. When I turned 40 I went to college again, with Mary's encouragement, something that I started and stopped over the years several times. Mary always said that whatever I did, that I'd still be four years older after four years. I know that I am a better man because of Mary; more liberal than I might have been, and certainly more complete. She was right. I got my teaching certificate, went on to graduate school, and taught in middle school for many years with her encouragement. You probably didn't know that.

I had some health issues that I've survived, and I wasn't able to continue teaching. But that's okay, because I enjoyed the time I spent in the classroom, as well as working on the stage and sets of our school drama productions. I used the skills that I learned from you in that activity. You always said that any of your sons would go into bricklaying over your dead body, so I took you at your word and became an auto mechanic for many years. I think you know that too. I used some of those skills in that endeavor.

Mary is doing well. She has a career as an indexer, you know, that information at the back of a book that tells you where to find things in a book, large or small. She is very good at her job. I assist her when I can. Mary has become an excellent cook and hobbyist in needle-crafts. I've even found time to learn to cook a little too.

Once I retired, Mary and I moved to Grand Haven, Michigan and started our lives over again. Now I spend my time gardening, walking with Sugar the Weather Dog, and getting to know the people of our new hometown. I joined the men's auxiliary at our local VFW post because of your military service. I like the people that I've met there. Small town life has a lot to offer.

When I'm not doing yard work or cleaning the house, I play one of my three guitars. We live on a relatively quiet street, except when it's time for Coast Guard Fest, which happens every year at the end of July and continues into the beginning of August. I ride my bike when I am feeling up to it, but when I am unable to do that, I enjoy walking. Mary accompanies Sugar, our Corgi/Beagle rescue dog, and me, when she isn't too busy.

Adam, you hardly got a chance to know him. He works as a commercial banker, but likes to play with cars. He truly is a chip off the old block, so to speak. I'm not sure where he got his math skills, but I know where he didn't get them. He has progressed nicely, and now heads the loan department that handles leases or loans for large commercial ventures. He never says much about what he does, but I think he is doing well. He married a wonderful young woman, Stephany, whom both Mary and I adore. They have been married for about 10 years. It seems like only yesterday that they got married. Time as you surely know, has a way of passing quickly.

I wish that you and I could have spent more time together when you were still with us. I like to think that we could have gotten to know each other better and learned to communicate. But that wasn't meant to be. Over the years, I often wrote to you in the journal that I kept in my classroom. I used to journal at the same time as my students. When I'd write to you, sometimes I'd read what I'd written to the students, and sometimes it was just too private to share. I think you would have been proud of me, just as I'm proud of Adam. Like you, Adam is an only child. In some ways, the way I tried to be as a father, was because of the things that I learned from you, both by your overt examples and by some things you didn't have time to do.

Mary is doing fine. I think that if it had not been for her, I'd have drifted through life. I know that she made me a better man. I know that she made Adam a better man and a good and caring husband too. I hope that Stephany agrees.

By the by, the Cubs are like you remember them; mostly inept. They have yet to revisit the World Series in over 100 years. They still play in that old ball park at Addison and Sheffield avenues, not too far from where you went to high school at Lane Tech.  I have followed the Boston Red Sox for many years, and they broke their World Series victory drought in 2005. Now that I live in Michigan, I follow the Detroit Tigers and the West Michigan Whitecaps, the Tiger's "A" level farm team. We visited Detroit recently to see a game between the Red Sox and the Tigers. Detroit, the city, is in a world of hurt. The once proud "Motor City" has fallen on hard times.

I guess it's time to wrap things up. Mary and I will be getting together with Stephany and Adam later today for Father's Day. I wish that you and I could have done that a few more times, but that too wasn't meant to be. As I get older, I have learned what is important in life, and that's family. I suppose that it's also important how you treat and respect people too. Mary taught me that.


With love,

Jack

Brrrr!  Good morning GH. It is just past 2:00 a.m. in "The City." Our current temperature is 50° as we head down to our anticipated low of 46°. Once the sun rises at 6:03 a.m., we'll get back to 68 mostly sunny degrees. Sunday we'll have a few more clouds, but the temperature will still be approaching 74° with only a 20% chance of rain. That means I"ll have to water today.

When Mary, Sugar the Weather Dog and I went out for our morning walk Friday, I opted to wear long jeans and forego my regular shorts. Mary never wears shorts, so she didn't have a choice to make. Both Mary and I chose to get our sweatshirts out of summer storage because the 17 mph winds made it cold enough to almost see your breath. When we returned and Mary was working at her desk, she actually had to close her office window and put on her half gloves to work at her keyboard. I put on my slippers and a jacket to work at mine along with playing the girls.

Speaking of Mary, she just published her blog at http://marygoeswalking.blogspot.com/. She has included numerous pictures from our recent trip to Detroit. We had gone to see our first ever night baseball game. Some pictures are of me, and for that I apologize. Mary is like Sugar, she doesn't like to have her picture taken. I am not very photogenic, but I don't care if I get my picture taken, because they look just like me. I think that only super models are okay with having their picture taken, because that's their job. I have heard, that they worry about paparazzi taking unauthorized photos sans makeup and favorable lighting. Only children are generally unabashed about being photographed.

Friday was a day that found us singing some, playing some, reading some, and working some. We even held hands and were careful as we crossed the street and marveled at the growth of our garden. My thanks to Robert Fulghum for his format, which he used in All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten. Upon our return, we enjoyed Mary's famous Swiss cheese and sauerkraut sandwiches for lunch. Mary has added a new and tasty wrinkle to her efforts. She now warms the sauerkraut before placing it on the sandwich. To use a shopworn phrase, "Totally excellent." We did go out for dinner, but I had to ask Mary to drive, because my baking yak is still baking. I hope to resolve that soon, but the doctors are being elusive.

In sports, the boys in blue eked out a win over the Phillies, 2 - 1. That's one in a row. They are on a roll. The Tigers are rolling too, backwards. They have been very inconsistent lately, losing last night to the Twins, 0 - 2. Early in the season, they were enjoying success, but now they are struggling. I know they will right the ship, just as I hope that my beloved Red Sox will. The Sox trounced the Indians last night, 10 - 3, to move back to just five games under .500. That's two in a row for the Sox. The Caps moved back into the division lead. with a 4 - 2 win over the now second place South Bend Silver Hawks. For those who care, it took two overtimes, but the L.A. Kings won Lord Stanley's Cup, beating the N.Y. Rangers in five games, this last one by a score of 3 - 2. It might just be me, but hockey, in June, in L.A., seems wrong.

Today, we want to walk with Sugar the Weather Dog, and then I'll settle in to rest my baking yak. I'll do more highlighting and avoid my music stool to rest my yak. Mary will work at her desk after we return with Sugar. We are hoping to avoid breaking out our heavy coats if we don't go out until later in the morning. We have acclimated to the cool temperatures here, but even the waitstaff at our favorite watering hole went back to long pants and sneakers to ward off the cold, and they're native Michiganders. The sun will set at 9:23 tonight. Ciao.

Good early morning GH. It is just past 1:00 a.m. in "The City." Our current temperature is 54° as we drop to our overnight low of 49°. Fortunately, we'll rebound all the way up to 58° as the day wears on. No rain in the forecast. Father's Day, Sunday, promises to yield a high of 75°, albeit with a 20% chance of rain.

I think I know why I missed hearing the trains. I happened to be awake at 11:15 last night, and I heard the northbound train go by. So it is likely that the schedule has changed and the usual gap between trains has changed too. It may have to do with the track maintenance that has been happening lately.

I got to thinking earlier about Father's Day, and what it means to be a father. For that matter, much of what I thought about probably applies to being a mother too.

When Adam was born nearly 40 years ago, I remember most of the details of that day, although not all. Time progressed and I will always fondly recall how he and I would travel about when Mary was sleeping, after having worked her overnight shift at the nursing home. Because I had a job that gave me Wednesdays off, I would say hello to Mary as she headed to bed and Adam and I would head out for some adventures. We visited surplus stores, bought new jeans at K-Mart™, and in general had a great time.

When I was working at the gas station, Mary and Adam would journey over and we would go out to a long since closed place called Pit and Pub. Adam would hang off the pinball machines and work the flippers ferociously before the pizza came. When I went to work at the automotive school, I would take he, and sometimes a friend along so that Mary could have some peace. I suggested that one Saturday he and a friend walk over about three blocks to the fire station. They did, and the firemen on duty let them try on coats and climb on the fire engines.

Later, after Adam had started school, I tried hard to be there for his extracurricular activities, both athletic and academic. My schedule didn't always conform to his, but I tried hard to be there. Once he got into his adolescent years, he and I would play basketball in the driveway and talk about stuff.

Of course, cars were and still are a big part of his life. He was two or three when one of our cars ran out of gas and I had to have him steer so that I could push the car to the gas station at the corner. It was only about half a block, but we didn't tell Mary until later, much later. We spent more than a few hours working on cars, talking about cars, and driving them. Car shows became a big part of our lives on Father's Day and even later in life, we still went.

Once, when he needed advice on a car and I was out of town with Mary, I remember talking him through the repair procedure for the brakes on his Mustang™. I've done that recently too. I miss the chance to be there when he has those questions, but with his job and my busy retirement, we have to do it more by email. Oh well, life progresses.

I like to think that Mary did a good job of raising Adam. I wasn't always there when he was a toddler, but I like to think that the man he is today, I had a part in creating. He is a good man, a good husband, and a great son. I believe that your children reflect you in many ways, both easily recognized and subtle. If you like who your children are, and I do, then be sure to thank their mother on Father's Day.

But I digress. In sports, the boys in blue lost once again while Jeff Samardzija was on the mound, 0 - 4, to the Pirates. The Tigers beat that other team from Chicago, 4 - 0. My beloved Red Sox are still in it, having beaten the Indians 5 - 2. But, they are still six games under .500. The Caps lost again, 2 - 6 to the Loons. Not to worry, they are still just one-half game back in their division.

Today, I have more highlighting to do. Mary needs to get her work done, so I have to do mine. We goofed off on Thursday, so today she needs to redouble her efforts. Sugar the Weather Dog and I spent time in the "Bone Zone" and on the deck respectively yesterday afternoon. I read, Sugar chewed, and all was good. I still need to read and play the girls more today more today. So, I think I'll stay up now and do some highlighting. We did the laundry yesterday, so all I have to do is fold the remaining things in the dryer.

When the sun rises at 6:05 a.m., I'll be in bed. When the sun sets at 9:23 p.m., I'll be in bed. You know what the proverbial "They" say about early to be and early to rise. Ciao.

Good early morning GH. It is just past 1:00 a.m. in "The City", on this 12th day of June, 2014. Our current temperature is 53° as we head down to our nightly low of 53° and then back up to our high today of 64°. The warm air moving out the Weather Window makes it a bit chilly, but I like it. Since the furnace hasn't been on in several weeks, it doesn't cost anything to enjoy the natural cooling. There is a 30% chance of rain, but it will probably miss us.

I did hear the train Wednesday morning as it headed north, but that was later after I had gone back to bed. Once again, I haven't heard the train as it headed south, so I must have missed it. Oh well that's good, because that also means that I am sleeping well, until I am not, which explains why I am up and at the keyboard.

Mary and I attended that genealogy class at the library on Wednesday, and we found it very informative; especially in light of Mary's goal of finding out more about the family that built and occupied our home for many years. I'll leave it to Mary to tell you more. One thing I am certain about, is that some of the people in the class had very limited computer skills, as in none. When you don't know that the mouse has a scroll wheel on it, or where to click an icon, you need basic skills above and beyond.

In sports, the boys in blue have decided that bringing up any prospects is pointless, given how bad the team is playing right now. They lost once again to the Pirates, 2 - 4, and the prospects don't need to get that losing tradition inculcated in their collective psyches. The Tigers are struggling right now too, having lost to that other team from Chicago, 2 - 8. My beloved Red Sox are on a roll too, not a good one though, as they lost to the Orioles, 0 - 6. Even our own West Michigan White Caps lost on Wednesday to the Great Lakes Loons, 0 - 7. Ouch. Looks like all of my teams are hurting. The Caps are still doing well, unlike their Major League counterparts.

Wednesday afternoon found us at the Post and then out for a light dinner. I was happily highlighting for Mary when she told me we were on our way out. I still have a huge stack of paper that needs my attention on the corner of my desk. Mary tells me that I have time and that all I have to do is stay ahead of her. The entire project is due on the 23rd of this month. We made it home and I headed upstairs to watch a little television and then I was bound for bed.

I had to drag Sugar the Weather Dog out on Wednesday morning, because the rain had convinced her that she didn't want to go out. She wolfed down her breakfast and then ran upstairs to get away. I had to go up and get her. Once out, it took nearly a mile of walking to get Sugar down to business. I think that she was being stubborn because I had pulled her out in the rain. Just speculation on my part, but Sugar does have a mind of her own, and one part of her genetic makeup is known for being strong willed.

Today, we are going to try out the new leash we got for Sugar. As I mentioned, it is supposed to make her less prone to pulling. At this point, we have spent a lot of money trying to change Sugar's ways, so a few dollars more won't make any difference, especially if it works.

So until the sun rises at at 6:03 a.m., I'll be heading back to bed. I have that stack of pages to be highlighted and I want to play the girls and read more too. The sun will set at 9:23 p.m. Ciao.

Good early morning GH. It is just past 2:00 a.m. in "The City." We have a current temperature of 61° as we head down to our eventual low of 53°. Today we will peak out at 68°, as the light rain continues throughout the day. That should be good for our vegetable gardens here on the palatial estate.

Mary and I got up late on Tuesday, picked up Sugar the Weather Dog from camp, and then we did some reading before we went out again for groceries and a light lunch. Then home again, where the freshly bathed Sugar promptly fell asleep on the newly washed couch cover and the floor. Once I'd seen enough of the evening news and a couple of game shows that I like, I went upstairs to watch NCIS and then off to bed. Mary wanted to watch a movie and knit, so she stayed downstairs. I awoke just a short time ago, and that's why I'm here at the keyboard. As an aside, Mary dud snap some pictures of Sugar looking extra cute as she was in dreamland. Had Sugar been awake, she never would have allowed that.

I never heard the northbound train yesterday morning, nor the southbound train this morning, so I don't know what's up with that. All I hear now are cars spinning their wheels outside the open Weather Window, as they hit the railroad tracks. I like being up at this early hour, because I can listen to the quiet. I know that sounds like an oxymoron, but the sound of trucks on the highway, the occasional car motoring down the street, and the trains as they rumble by, is very soothing. Plus, when I go back to bed, I am ready for a good night's sleep. Sleeping in shifts seems to work for me. Mary sleeps soundly from start to finish as the sounds of Coast to Coast AM drift into her subconscious mind. In the winter months leading up to the holidays, I listen to Christmas music, and in the other months, jazz or talk radio. Sometimes I listen to Coast to Coast AM too, so that I know what Mary is referencing when I go back to bed.

In sports, the boys in blue beat the Pirates in their usual inconsistent fashion, 7 - 3. The Tigers were rained out against that other Chicago team, in Chicago. My beloved Red Sox stayed consistent in their own inconsistency, as they beat the Orioles 1 - 0. The Caps kept up their winning ways as they defeated the Great Lakes Loons, 3 - 1. They are now 13 games over .500.

Today Mary and I are signed up for a session at the library on how to use the computers there for genealogy research. It should be fun, but I still have so much reading to do. When you read non-fiction that is 500 - 600 pages in length, it takes time. I also want to get in some time with the girls, so that will finish my free time today. Mary has to get to work on her latest project, and I know that I'll have highlighting to do, so that will also cut into my other reading. I may have to return some unread books for later checkout. They will be due on Friday, and  I have yet to start reading them. I'm just so busy in retirement.

Other than that, not much on tap for today, or for the balance of the week. Father's Day is Sunday and we hope to get together with Stephany and Adam for a few hours. Plus we have visitors coming later this month, that will also cut into Mary's work time, so I have to keep her on schedule. She works well against a deadline, but I don't, so one of my tasks will be to keep her nose to the proverbial grindstone. I can't handle those marathon editing sessions at the end of her efforts. I like to have a cushion. I just can't work like that, while she seems to thrive. Go figure.

Sunrise will be at 6:03 a.m. and sunset at 9:21 p.m. If I don't get back to bed soon, I'll meet myself getting up, I think. Ciao.

Good early morning GH. It is just past 3:00 a.m. in "The City." Our current temperature is 64° as we head down to our eventual low of 55°. Today, after the sun rises at 6:03 a.m., the temperature will rebound to 74° under partly cloudy skies. In addition, as the day wears on, the cloud cover is supposed to increase in the late afternoon and overnight into Wednesday, when we are anticipating an 80% chance of rain. Like always, I'll believe it when I can see it. My "Weather Window" is very accurate. Much like the infamous "Weather Rock" in Bermuda and all over the world, when you can see the results of a weather phenomenon, you don't have to guess, you know.

Mary and I had a great experience on Sunday. We went to our first Tiger's game in Detroit. They were playing  my beloved Red Sox in what was to have been an afternoon game, but which had been arbitrarily rescheduled to a night game by the TV people for a national game. In any event, I was in a state of bliss, as I had a team in the race that couldn't lose. My beloved Red Sox, on the strength of a prodigious blast in the top of the ninth by Big Papi, defeated the Tigers 5 - 3. Unfortunately, the Red Sox quickly returned to their losing ways on Monday, as they lost to the Orioles 0 - 4. The Tigers also lost again on Monday, 5 - 6, to that other team from Chicago. The boys in blue after having put together a five game winning streak, have now lost two in a row, this time to the Pirates 2 - 6. Ouch! Good news though, the Caps reclaimed first place in their division of the Midwest League, by a half game over their latest opponent, the South Bend Silver Hawks. The Caps won 6 - 2.

I'd like to think that because I was wearing my lucky "Southernmost Red Sox Nation" T-shirt along with my new Tiger's hat, that I had a hand in the game. Yeah, I'd like to think that, but then I'd also have to think that luck is real and not the result of circumstances coming together in just the right combination.

No northbound train yet, but I expect one soon, after I didn't hear a southbound  run at midnight. Unlike the weather, the trains tend to run on a pretty reliable schedule. I'll add in info as it becomes available.

Today, we have to pick up the intrepid Weather Dog from camp. Before we do that, we have to wash her couch cover and vacuum the carpets in preparation. Mary favors using the dog hair picker upper on the cover, I think shaking the cover outdoors will do just fine. Then back to relaxing and waiting for the rain to fall.

The other day, Mary ordered a new leash for our "baby." It is made by the same people who made Sugar's Thundershirt™. If the leash works as advertised, it is supposed to reduce Sugar's urge to pull on a walk. It should arrive by today. So far, Sugar has been able to thwart our best efforts to rein her in, so here's hoping.

Our tomato plant has exploded in size. I think it nearly doubled in two days. Probably wishful thinking on my part, but it is definitely larger.

So until the sun sets at 9:21 p.m., I'll be signing off. Ciao.

Good early morning GH. It is just past 3:00 a.m. in "The City." Our current temperature is 56° as we head for our low of 53°. We'll spring back to the mid 70s with sunny skies today. A good day for a walk to the farmer's market, or just going walkabout in general. I'm certain that Sugar the Weather Dog would agree.

I got the gardens on the palatial estate watered yesterday. There is a prediction for rain on Sunday, but that's only 30% in the morning. We go from too much snow to not enough rain. Sigh. Good news though, our tomatoes have their first buds, so in another 65 - 70 days, we may get some tomatoes. Let's see, that's about August. Oh well, that's better than not at all. There is nothing like fresh tomatoes on your salads or sandwiches.

While I had the hose out, I set the spray nozzle for "Disintegrate", and blasted the wasp nest on the front porch into the 22nd century. I had sprayed it the other day with wasp/hornet/yellow jacket killer, so I believed that the wasps were gone. When we bought the spray at the garden store the other day, I went for the spray with the greatest coverage of insect varieties. I don't like to kill insects, but in this case, I had no qualms. It was them or us. However I wasn't taking any chances, so I stood back and let the nest have it. The wasps are gone and we are safe.

We had dinner downtown later in the day, after getting up at noon. Sugar didn't seem to mind that her walk was delayed until 1:00 p.m. or so. Mary went to the grocery store about 3:00 p.m., and I played the girls. It was about 4:00 p.m. when we went out. My accomplishments for yesterday were laundry, washing the dishes, and cleaning the stove top, along with that aforementioned watering.

No trains on Friday night.

In sports, the boys in blue won their fourth in a row. They are now just 10 games under .500. The Tigers and my beloved Red Sox played each other last night, so I had a horse on both sides of the race. My Red Sox lost 2 - 6  to the Tigers. Too bad that the Tigers had to end their skid against my Red Sox. Sigh. The Caps were once again victorious over the Great Lakes Loons, 4 - 2. Just 2.5 games separate them from the division leading South Bend Silver Hawks. On the 17th of this month, the Fifth Third Ballpark will host the 50th annual Midwest League All-Star game. The Caps have six players named to the squad. Not bad.

Speaking of horses, the Belmont Stakes™ is on Sunday. My chosen thoroughbred, California Chrome, is the odds on favorite to win the Triple Crown. He would be the first winner of that prestigious honor since 1978.

So that looks like enough for one day. The sun will rise at 6:03 a.m and set at 9:24 pm. Ciao.

Good early morning GH, It is just past 12:00 a.m. in "The City." The temperature is 53° as we head down to an overnight temperature of 51°. Not as chilly as last night, but cool enough. We hope to see 70s today and over the weekend.

I am having trouble with my outbound Yahoo email account. Apparently, so are many other people. I checked the forums, but there is no answer, yet. So, I have an alternate email address that I am using to send important things to those who can benefit from them. Keep the faith fans, Yahoo usually solves these problems sooner or later.

Yesterday, I went to the orthopedist to have a check up on my shoulder. He tells me that it is doing fine, I just have to be patient. Range of motion is where he expects it to be. I asked about my knee treatments, but since they are not giving me any trouble, he suggested that I call him in a few months. That's fine with me, because the treatments themselves come with pain. I also asked about my baking yak. He responded that he is not a back doctor, but he does have an associate who comes into the office once per week who is. He was able to arrange for x-rays which I had done Thursday morning, upstairs at the hospital. I'll make an appointment for sometime in the near future with the back specialist. I also got good news. I can't damage my shoulder swinging a golf club, so I am ready to try that soon too. He did ask the all important question, "Do you know how to play golf? I assured him that I do, but it's been a long time. But first, my back needs attention.

At about 1150 p.m., the southbound train came rumbling through. The regular pair of EMD GP 38 locomotives in their familiar yellow and red livery respectively. They were towing the regular lone box car, that seems to accompany most of the trains. It was followed by 20 covered hopper cars of various ages, two black tank cars, and one white tank car with a black stripe. I doubt that I'll be awake for the northbound run.

In sports, the boys in blue made it three in a row over the Mets, as they swept them with a final game victory, 7 - 4. The Tigers are officially in free fall. They lost their latest game to the Blue Jays 3 - 7. That's something like three wins in their last 14 games. This weekend, my beloved Red Sox come to town. The Sox have been losing a bit too. They were just swept by Cleveland, three straight. Fortunately, they had Thursday off to catch their breath and they will be playing a Tigers team that isn't playing their best baseball either. The Tigers have a few wins to spare, but they are in danger of falling out of first place in a weak division. The Caps once again were victorious over the Great Lakes Loons, 6 - 2.

In the baseball draft, the Tigers chose an outfielder with limited power, but solid defensive skills. The boys in blue chose a catcher/outfielder. My beloved Red Sox chose a shortstop, a position that is giving them problems right now. In most cases, these players become the player to be included in a deal for a more experienced player.

Today, I don't have any plans. A lot of rest, a walk with Sugar the Weather Dog, and watering the vegetable gardens. Our tomato plant got its first blossom yesterday. I feel like a proud father saying that. Sugar the Weather Dog spent some time in the "Bone Zone" after I got back from the doctor and Mary and I got back from the library. We collectively mowed the lawns on the palatial estate, then Mary cleaned and worked in the kitchen, while I was reading and working a crossword. I should mention that Mary harvested our first crop, spinach, in yesterday afternoon. She cooked it and I got to sample a small amount. I pronounce it excellent. What's not to like about fresh spinach?

That looks like enough for now. The sun will rise in the east at 5:56 a.m., and set in the west at 9:06 p.m. Ciao.

Good early morning GH. It is just past 3:00 a.m. in "The City." Our current temperature is a chilly 47° outside the Weather Window. Inside the weather office/music room, it is a very comfortable 70°. Today we should reach a high of between 63 and 70 degrees, and the skies will not be cloudy all day. That should be the balance of our week until Sunday, when a 30% chance of rain is predicted with a high of 64°.It will be warmer inland, say Detroit for example, albeit with a 40% chance of T-storms.

Wednesday, I got the dusting done that I had planned. Now all that remains is to vacuum, and steam clean the floors after I clean the bathrooms. I also have to mow the lawn, something that was happily delayed by the light rain that fell most of the day. At least I didn't have to water. I got in a few pages of reading too along with playing Blue. Since I was in need of getting my few hairs cut, I had walked over to the barber shop after breakfast. Fortunately, Joe the Barber was relaxing in his own chair and I got right in. I generally don't take long, so the men who came in after me didn't have long to wait.

Mary took Sugar the Weather Dog for her abbreviated morning constitutional. When I got back, Mary told me that Sugar had done her regular burnout after one of her morning offerings. Mary didn't know to watch for the fallout, so she had to clean her sandals and Sugar too when they got home. Dogs like to cover any evidence of other dogs, so Sugar was doing what dogs do. That's why I keep my eyes on Sugar as we walk, experienced dog walker that I am.

Later, we stopped in at our favorite watering hole on the other side of the bridge. I think that Mary wanted me to pump gas into the car. Lunch was a special for $2.00. Two sandwiches and a bag of chips. We split the sandwiches and I ate the chips. What's not to like? Then we journeyed back across the bridge and stopped to see Sally at the Post. Turns out that the day before, things were so slow, that when we had walked past at about 7:00 p.m., Sally had closed up shop and gone home. She is after all, an unpaid volunteer, so she found better use for her time. In other words, she's fine.

I have to go to the orthopedist for a checkup on my shoulder today and to have the first of the treatments on my knees. My knees have been feeling mostly good. My shoulder too. Right now it is my baking yak that is the problem. I hope to get clearance to play golf once again, but with my baking yak, I doubt that I could swing a club. I'll be sure to ask and see if physical therapy is warranted for that, or if rest is the best course of action. I'm tired of going to the therapist and to doctors etc.

I heard the southbound train go by at 12:15 a.m. If things are on "track" so to speak, I'll be back in bed when the northbound train goes by sometime after 3:00 a.m.

In sports, the boys in blue beat the Mets 2 - 1. The Tigers lost big time, 2 - 8, to the Blue Jays. They are starting to look like my beloved Red Sox who also lost, in their case to the Indians, 4 - 7. It was a long 12 inning game that was delayed for two hours by rain. The Caps were victorious over the Great Lakes Loons, out of Midland, MI, 4 - 1. The Caps are a Tigers farm team, while the Loons are a farm team for the L.A. Dodgers.

So that looks like enough for today. The sun will inevitably rise today at 6:05 a.m. Then later this evening, it will set in the west over the Big Lake at 9:18 p.m. By then, I hope to be snug in my bed. Ciao.

Good early morning GH. It is just past 3:40 a.m. in "The City." Our current temperature is 60° as we head down to our low this morning of 56°. Today, Sugar the Weather Dog, Mary, and I had best get out early to avoid the possibility of showers that increases from 0% at 8:00 a.m. to a peak of 70% by 12:00 p.m. But, that is the "forecast." So whether I'll be watering the gardens of the palatial estate and doing other outdoor duties because it didn't rain, or whether we'll be welcoming the dust damping wetness is, as always, open to change. If is doesn't rain, nothing shows up on that "forecast" until Sunday at the earliest.

Wow, the boys in blue managed to eke out a win over the Mets, 2 - 1. Now they are just 13 games under .500. The Tigers were the victims of an awakening of the Blue Jays bats late in the game, as the Tigers lost 3 - 5. My beloved Red Sox have now lost two in a row, this time to the Indians 3 - 5. Sigh. So much for a winning streak. The Caps were once again beaten by Fort Wayne, this time 3 - 4. What is it about losing to teams with a sub .500 record?

Monday Sugar and I took a short walk to pick up the newspaper. We had to take a slight detour because Sugar just can't resist running in all directions at once to get to the various other dogs that we see. Instead of a short walk, it became a circuitous route to avoid confrontations. Sigh. While we were out, Mary was supposed to go to the local medium box grocery/butcher store and the independent book seller, but she got distracted and was still home when Sugar and I got back. When she finally left, I was reading. By the time I got upstairs to play the girls, Mary had made it to both stops and returned. She does walk a lot faster than I. Thus, I got in just one tune and was then summoned to come see what she bought. Good things to be sure, but I never got back to the girls.

Otherwise, we finished reading the newspaper and I worked the crossword. Then back to reading the biography that I have been enjoying. I find biographies from the period when our nation was young and growing, fascinating. I've always said that if I were so inclined, that's the time period I'd study to get my PhD.

Our small family, including our "fur baby", spent a quiet afternoon. We decided that my baking yak could handle a short walk to the downtown, so I fed Sugar before we left and we were off. We had dinner at the newest eatery in the downtown, and it was very good. A bit pricey perhaps, but very good. Then it was time for home.

The Post was closed when we passed. I hope that Sally is okay. Since we couldn't stop there, we came home. We did a quick check on the schedule change for the weekend baseball games and found that indeed, the Red Sox and Tiger's game had been rescheduled to Sunday night by ESPN. I watched more TV and then I was ready for bed. Mary wasn't, so she stayed downstairs and just came to bed a short time ago.

Today, a bit of housecleaning and perhaps that outdoor watering in lieu of the promised rain. I should also mow the lawn too. That's a long process on our estate, so I'm hoping for rain to give me break from both activities. Either way, it will then it will be time for more reading. That's enough for one day I think.

I didn't hear a southbound train earlier, and as of 3:45 a.m., I had yet to hear the northbound train either. Since it seems as though the horn happy engineer has been at the throttle lately, I think I would have heard one by now. Wait, I have now officially stayed up long enough so that I hear a train a comin'. Since I have the benefit of experience, I'll bet it has twin EMD GP 38 locomotives. Yes it did, and that was all.

So until the sun rises at 6:05 a.m., and sets at 9:18 p.m. Ciao.

Good early morning GH. It is just past 3:30 a.m. in "The City." Sunrise will be happening at 6:05 this morning. The weather, where shall I begin? That rain event that was forecast for Monday passed us by, going both north and south. The drop in temperature that produced the current temperature of 66° caused the areas above the water that surrounds us to produce a thick fog. The winds that kicked up yesterday have continued this morning. Now, the forecast calls for the rain to come in the form of a 70% chance for storms on Wednesday.

The skies got to looking so threatening when Mary, Sugar the Weather Dog and I were returning from the local garden center, that we bypassed a stop at the nearby grocery/butcher shop. A few drops of rain fell. and that made us sure that we had best get home before the skies opened up. But, that was all we got, a few drops. Sugar was convinced that we were in for it, so she repaired to her hide-e-hole. She was wrong, something that I have never seen before.

But I digress. I was certain that since I watered the gardens here on the palatial estate, that the rains would come. Unfortunately or fortunately, I turned out to be prescient rather than premature. So now I am ahead of the curve, and if the predicted storms come on Wednesday, I can forego watering. The forecast is for 1/4 inch of rain, so that isn't much. It is better than a huge downpour though.

Today, Mary and I plan to spend the morning listening to the radio and then getting up just in time for Mary to participate in her Tuesday noon chat. She plans to use my computer downstairs, because disconnecting hers is a complicated task. She believes that she can multitask as she chats, makes lunch, and something else that I forget. I think that I can eat lunch, watch her chat and then get Sugar ready to go out for her walk. I guess that I'll be multitasking too. Otherwise, not much will be happening.

I just watched the northbound run of the morning train. I heard the train earlier, but didn't get up to look. This train was composed of the usual locomotives, followed by 33 covered hopper cars, one black tank car and one white tank car.

In sports, the boys in blue, with the worst record in baseball, had the day off and play tonight. The Tigers likewise had the day off. My beloved Red Sox finally lost one, losing to the Indians 2 - 3, to end their winning streak at seven games. Time for another winning streak. The Caps fell to Fort Wayne, 3 - 4. Also time for another winning streak.

Otherwise, more reading today for me. Not too strenuous and highly educational. With a little urging from Mary, I chose to read the biography of John Quincy Adams that I had the library order for me. I am enjoying it immensely. We have some additional books to pick up from the library by Friday and Tuesday.

I think that when the sun sets tonight at 9:18 p. m., I'll be happily in my nice warm bed. That's the plan anyway. Ciao.

Good morning GH. Here in "The City", we have just passed 3:30 a.m. Our current temperature is 73° as we head down to our expected high of 69°. We are expecting that the scattered T-storms, accompanied by 20 plus MPH winds, will start around noon today, peaking at a 60% chance around 2:00 p.m.. Right now, the winds that I feel outside the Weather Window are gusting in the lower teens. That's according to my personal observation, which is probably just as good as the forecast from the National Weather Service. They have access to a lot of sophisticated equipment, but I have the advantage of personal observation. In that sense, my Weather Window is just as good as their Doppler Radar™.

What it all boils down to, is that I am likely to be outside this morning, hose in hand, after Mary and I walk to the local garden store with Sugar the Weather Dog for some wasp spray. We both eschew using chemicals around the house, but in this case, our fear of wasps and their stings trumps our concern about toxic chemicals. I'll just be as judicious as possible in the use of the spray. There is one slight problem. Wasps are least active at night, but they react to strong lights. That means that I'll have to go out on the porch in the dark after having planned my escape route.

Our porch has only one escape route, when you eliminate going back in the front door, and that's down the front stairs. Mary has already assured me that I will have her moral support, but she will be inside with the front door tightly closed and the lights turned off, as I am trying to escape a horde of maddened wasps. If you see a man with a crazed look on his face, running down the street, at an age-reduced top speed, being chased by wasps, you'll know it's me.

Once that's done, I'll be ready for a nap when the sun sets at 9:16 p.m. During the day, I'll do that watering and then go to the man-cave to empty the dehumidifier reservoir. In spite of our lack of rain, we are getting enough humidity in the man-cave to fill that reservoir about every two days. Unfortunately, in a house as old as that found here on the palatial estate, there is no laundry sink in the man-cave. So I have to carry the reservoir up the stairs to the mud room sink for emptying.

Mary and I spent a considerable amount of time on the front porch yesterday, reading and watching the world go by. That is until we discovered that wasp's nest and came inside for safety. Since we both have a healthy fear of insect stings, that seemed a prudent course of action, The wasps had been there all along, but once discovered, it was time to move. We also discovered that the amount of dirt being thrown into the air by the nearby road construction is significant. The level of dust on the front porch tells us that a repaint of the railings and the deck boards needs to wait until the construction is over. Theoretically mid-July.

We also learned or confirmed that the world is full of idiots That's judging by the loud motorcycles that sped by in the afternoon. Mary and I are certain that the noise generated by their lack of mufflers is akin to the noise and soot generated by the idiot with the diesel pick-up truck on Harbor Drive, when we walked there on Saturday afternoon. As we passed Pronto Pup, the idiot had to show off how much soot and noise his truck could produce in order to prove his manhood. He succeeded at both, and also at demonstrating his lack of common sense on a road crowded with tourists, both walking and in other vehicles. We know it is tourist season, but that doesn't mean that common sense takes a vacation too. Oh wait, Mary reminded me the other day that when a person goes on vacation, so does their brain.

In sports, it was a mixed bag on Sunday. The boys in blue once again found a way to lose a game being pitched by their hard luck starter, Jeff Samardzija. This time it was 0 - 9, moving his won-lost record to 1 - 5.  The Tigers fell to the now 28-28 Seattle Mariners 0 - 4. However, my beloved Red Sox won their seventh in a row 4 - 0 over the Rays. Now they are just two games under 500. That my friends, is a roll. The Caps had a record-setting day, defeating the Fort Wayne Tin Caps, 19 - 1. Having recently suffered a record-setting loss, this big win was extra special, I'm sure, as they hit four home runs and belted out 17 hits to move within 2.5 games of their division lead.

Sadly, the season is over for the Blackhawks. I stayed awake to hear them lose in OT, 4 - 5. A good season said the talking heads, but the point of any professional sports activity is to play for, and win, the championship. The division titles, the playoffs, are for the fans in order to generate revenue for the owners and the player's salaries. At the professional level, read that being paid to play a kid's game, as the late Vince Lombard is oft quoted as saying, "Winning isn't everything, it's the only thing." So, the futility that is the boys in blue, the loss in the final game of the Western Conference Finals of the NHL by the Blackhawks, are just losses for money, not wins for the fans.

Since I haven't seen nor heard any northbound trains this morning, I'll assume that I must have dreamed the southbound one I thought I heard earlier. Sunrise will be in about two hours at 6:15 a.m. I'll get back to reading the biography of John Quincy Adams that I have on my book stand. A fascinating read about our sixth president. Ciao.