Good early morning GH. It is just past 2:30 a.m. in "The City." Our current temperature is 60° as we head down to our morning low of 51°. Today we should peak at around 75° with sunny skies. That will happen after the sun has risen at 6:10 a.m. into a sunny sky. Sunset will occur at 9:27 p.m., allowing our local Fourth of July fireworks show to go on as scheduled at 10:10: p.m. Of course, with the lax laws in our adopted state, the "Festivities" will probably begin in the early afternoon. Sugar the Weather Dog has been periodically racing to one of her hide-e-holes the last few days, each time she hears an explosion. We'll put her in her Thundershirt™ tonight, but it will only help some, not totally mitigate her fears.

Mary and I anticipate that we may go down to the area near the Post Office if we are awake. If we are not, we will be sure to catch the fireworks display at the time of Coast Guard Fest™. Since many in the Tri-cities area use GH as their source of July Fourth entertainment, we will have large crowds on the waterfront to view the show on Dewey Hill, just after the Musical Fountain show. Don't forget, this is also the day for the annual hot dog eating contest, won last year with a prodigious 69 hot dogs eaten by a skinny guy.

Yesterday, I went to my second appointment for my knee treatments. All went well and I walked both ways. I spent a goodly portion of the afternoon highlighting so that I could get Friday off from my boss. However, since I worked until after 7:00 p.m., and Mary was no longer prepared to make dinner, she convinced me to walk to our nearby watering hole, located about one block from our house. We each had fish for dinner. I had the whitefish, while Mary had perch. She had no potatoes, and two servings of Coleslaw. I had one serving of Coleslaw and some French fries. We were both satisfied. We think what with last winter's surgery, heavy snowfall, and then the spring construction, we haven't gone there recently. Mary says we can put it back into our rotation now, especially since she loves the Coleslaw, one of her true passions in life.

Oops, I almost forgot. I believe that due to the impending holiday today, the railroad decided to move their trains early. At roughly 7:00 p.m. last evening, the railroad began to move their equipment. The southbound train of two locomotives and 17 covered hopper cars, some appearing very old and rusty, was accompanied by a lone white tank car and five of those dreaded black tank cars. Mary told me by email that the northbound train went by about 11:00 p.m., but I can't confirm that, I have only Mary's anecdotal information to go by. In any event, that is likely to be all of the train activities for two or three days.

Today, we plan to eat breakfast, walk with the intrepid Weather Dog, and then I'll read and play the girls. Later this afternoon/evening, I'll prepare the grill as Mary prepares the vegetables for our evening meal. We have portobello mushrooms, corn, and zucchini for grilling. If all goes well, we should have a healthy and delicious meal. Otherwise, Mary will continue working while I read and relax. As is always the case, 24 hours after my knees have been treated, it is painful to walk. So relaxation is appropriate.

In sports, the boys in blue had the day off. The Red Sox also had the day off, while the Tigers hammered the Rays, 8 - 1. The Caps fell to the Lansing Lug Nuts, 9 - 8. That's enough for now. Ciao.