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.