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.