Good morning GH. It is just past 3:30 a.m. in "The City", where we are "enjoying" a current temperature of 51° under rainy skies. We'll be dropping to an overnight low of 40° before rebounding to a high today of 43° under leaden skies that are delivering rain and windy conditions with an 80% chance. Saturday and Sunday promise to be similar temperature-wise, however the skies will be more sunny and the wind less insistent. In short, my plans to stay in today look like a good idea. I have a stock of books and the girls. I'm betting that Saturday will find us with an abundance of Halloween candy given the forecast for today. In this case, it looks as though Mary will have been prescient when she said to buy candy that I would like. Good or bad? I'll let you know.

No trains, to the best of my knowledge, which is to say that I fell asleep and didn't notice. As it turns out, the northbound train just went by at 4:22 a.m. I say train, but what it really consisted of was locomotives #3885 and #2019.

I went to the doctor yesterday for my annual physical. So far, everything has checked out well. I got my annual influenza inoculation and blood tests too. The doctor says that for an AARP member, I am looking good. I don't have the results of the blood tests, they won't be ready until later today, but I don't anticipate anything untoward. On Monday afternoon, Mary and I are off to GR for my annual brain MRI. This will be my fourth year at the hospital in GR. Like Adam says, I have made it three clean scans in a row, so my chances of a problem are basically the same as any other member of the population. I like those odds.

Today is a good day for a possible short walk with Sugar the Weather Dog, presuming that she will even go out. I say possible, because when I got up earlier, the intrepid weather dog was next to the bed, having sensed a disturbance in the force that is producing the light rain now, and today's lousy weather later.

I finished my latest book yesterday. I liked it. This author writes historical spy fiction, so I'll have a treasure trove of books to read as time goes by.

The sun will rise in a few hours at 8:16 a.m., but we won't be seeing it. Later tonight, it will set at 6:36 p.m., just in time for the trick or treating from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Most of the kids will have already been downtown for the merchant sponsored activities there from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., so it is unlikely that we will see too many visitors. Ciao.

Good morning or good evening, wherever you may be. It is nearly 5:00 a.m. in "The City." With a current temperature of 46°, it is chilly outside the Weather Window. Today we have only a 10% chance of precipitation and cloudy skies. Friday, the chance of precipitation increases to 70% to 90%, depending on which source you choose to consult, with a high temperature of 42°. That does not bode well for trick or treating late in the day. Saturday we get both sunny skies and a 0% chance of precipitation with a high temperature of 44°. Fall is officially here.

Yesterday, Mary and I took that road trip I mentioned in my previous blog. We traveled south about one hour to a city called South Haven. We had lunch at a place called Black River Tavern, pictured below. 

In addition, a very nice yarn store called:

was a few doors down. Mary liked it a lot and so she bought some yarn for her next afghan project. We had originally planned to stop in a yarn store in Holland, but Mary's once every six month visits didn't keep them in business, so they were out of business. 

Naturally, I had to take a picture of the waterfront and lighthouse in South Haven. There is something rather forlorn about a tourist town without tourists in the off season, as shown below.

Of course, what can you do when you are waiting for your wife in a yarn store? You take a "selfie" with a camera that has no forward facing view finder, so you have to guess on your aim. I think I did OK, except for the subject matter. 

A good trip overall. It was getting late, so it was time to head for home and a dinner that Mary put together from a recipe that we found on the internet. It was spaghetti squash with garlic and sliced mushrooms. Considering that I generally don't like mushrooms, I liked this dish. It is a keeper.

In sports, the World Series™ is over for 2014. The Giants defeated the Royals in the seventh and final game, 3 - 2 for their third World Series victory in five years. Now if the boys in blue could just get to that level, I'd be happy. 

I must have missed the southbound train run. The northbound train just went through at 5:20 a.m. Locomotive #3885 in the old livery and #2019 in the newer livery, were towing nine covered hopper cars, two of those dreaded black tank cars, an a lone box car was bringing up the rear. The horn happy engineer was at the controls.

Today, I have my annual visit to my doctor. I should be fine, as I am feeling fine. I have been fasting for the annual set of blood tests. By this afternoon, I'll be ready for a meal. However, I'll be stopping for a haircut around the corner before I come home. 

I am nearly finished with my latest book, and I still like it. It looks like I have a new author to read. I'll be playing the girls some today and finishing that book. I also have to take the morning constitutional with Sugar the Weather Dog. I have several more books on the shelf to continue my reading marathon. 

The sun will be rising in a few hours at 8:16 a.m. Later it will set at 6:38 p.m. That's enough for today. Ciao

Good morning GH. It has just passed 2:30 a.m. in "The City." With a current temperature of 50° as we drop to an overnight low of 43°, the view outside the Weather Window is dark and not stormy. That's subject to change on Friday when the temperature drops to a high of 42° with showers and windy conditions. For those few brave souls who decide to go Trick or Treating, it won't be pleasant. More chocolate candy for me. Today we have an expected high of 48° under cloudy skies.

All of that is my way of saying that it is a good thing that I got the majority of my outdoor work done on Tuesday. More leaves raked and bagged, check. Rocking chairs from the front porch moved to the man-cave, check. Bicycles moved to the man-cave, check. Back forty mowed, check. Girls played, check. (Oops, how did that get in there?) A morning walk with Sugar the Weather Dog and Mary, check. Collapse, check. I probably overdid it a bit. Now I'll actually live to regret it.

We had dinner around the corner last evening, and it was great. Mary wanted to take a longer walk, but I compromised by going to the bank with her and then to the "Best kept secret in GH." Since I had walked in the morning and done all of that outdoor work, I didn't want to walk any more than that. As I said to Mary, "While you were slaving over a hot computer, I was slaving over the outdoor work."

An interesting side note. I had just finished clearing the storm drain in front of the palatial estate when the fire department decided it was time to open a water valve by their nearby station. The resultant water flow was able to clear the curb and not clog the drain. All good for me.

The southbound train went by about 1:15 a.m. I heard it, but didn't see it.

Today, Mary and I may take a road trip and then afterwards, I plan to do very little. Reading maybe, but that is about it. As I said earlier, the activities from Tuesday have left me a bit sore. I'm hoping that Sugar the Weather Dog and I can take a morning walk and that's about it. While we are on our road trip, Mary may want to get more apple sauce apples and tomatoes. She also wants some Swiss cheese for her famous sandwiches.

I'll want to get some driveway salt. Last year the salt around GH and it's environs ran out. I am betting it is time to get some while we can. However, there are plenty of people in Michigan who probably have already had that idea. We'll see. Anyone else with a home in Michigan may want to lay in a small supply. How much, I don't know. It depends on whether the forecast for a milder winter comes to pass.

The K. C. Royals have forced a seventh game in the World Series™, with a 10 - 0 defeat of the Giants in Kansas City.

That looks like enough for Tuesday and Wednesday. The sun will rise at 8:13 a.m. and set at 6:41 p.m. Nothing I do, or don't do, will change that immutable fact. Ciao.

Good morning GH. I can't add good evening, because we have just passed 8:00 a.m. and the sun will be rising at 8:13 this morning. Tonight, the sun will set at 6:41 p.m. We have a current temperature of 59° or 60°, depending on which source you choose to accept. As the day progresses, we'll have cloudy skies, possible T-storms, and a bleak outlook, at least weather-wise. The temperature will drop to 43° overnight. Tomorrow, there is a forecast for a 20% chance of precipitation, As of now, the forecast for Friday is 39° and snow showers.

Monday was a great day. The temperature was in the low 70s and the skies were only partly cloudy. Sugar and I took our morning walk to her doctor's office for her pawdicure and Bordatella ,booster. In addition, according to the scale, Sugar was down by one-half pound. While not exactly where she should be, that was a relief to me and Mary, given our fears.

When Sugar the Weather Dog and I got home, we peeled apples and made apple sauce in the slow-cooker. We also took time to chop leeks, celery, and potatoes for my potato leek soup. I needed a little help from Mary for both activities, but mostly I was able to complete my cooking efforts solo. Sugar the Sous Dog was there to lend a paw, so I really had all the assistance that I needed. Now there are some apple peelings for Sugar's breakfast today. I also ended up with a few too many potatoes, so those may either be used for my breakfast or for a future breakfast for Sugar.

As the day wore on, I packaged the applesauce, which reappeared for a side at dinner and we still have some left. One bag of apples yielded one quart of apple sauce. Two large leeks, three stalks of celery, and 2 1/2 cups of potatoes yielded a bit more than three quarts of soup.

I played with the girls in the afternoon, but then the great weather caused a trip to the "Bone Zone." I had some wine, read my book, and listened to the oldies. What's not to like? I came in when it got to be too cool to sit out, but it was also getting dark. Sugar, in spite of a trip to the "Bone Zone" to finish her bone from the day before, still wanted her dinner at 5:00 p.m. I don't know where she keeps her clock, but I know she has one.

Today, not much for me. After the morning walk, I'll move the bicycles to the man-cave and also the rockers front the front porch. Mary may disagree, but I acquiesced last year, and the rockers sat on the porch last winter, which wasn't good for them. More reading and more playing with the girls and then an evening of TV. By the by, more pictures of our Sunday afternoon outing are available at: http://marygoeswalking.blogspot.com/. Ciao.

Good morning or good evening, wherever you may be. It is just past 5:00 a.m. in "The City." We have a current temperature of 45° as we relentlessly move towards sunrise at 8:11 a.m. According to the National Weather Service, we have a 40% chance of showers this morning. Right now, a quick glance out the Weather Window shows dry streets and dark skies. However, that 40% chance of showers will be accompanied by a chance of T-storms at 11:00 a.m. That is also the time I have to walk with Sugar the Weather Dog to visit her doctor for a pawdicure and Bordatella booster. Since Sugar is occasionally boarded, she must have a Bordatella vaccination to be accepted by the kennel. I wonder if they have a vaccination for fear of T-storms and loud noises?

I mention that, because when Sugar and I went for our morning constitutional yesterday, some fool set off a series of fireworks on a generally quiet Sunday morning and Sugar was off to the races. I had a nice walk in mind, but some fool with the right to be a pyromaniac, took that away from Sugar and me. What happened to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness? I'm certain Sugar would agree.

Once we got home, I raked and bagged some leaves and then it was time to go for a drive to the north. We had a destination in mind when we left, and we did get the items that we wanted, mostly for free, and then we decided to go east and find the shoreline of the Big Lake. We did, and it was beautiful. I took some pictures to commemorate the journey, and I'll include those later in this blog.

The southbound train went by at about 1:20 a.m. I only felt and heard it, I didn't see it. The return trip north, just occurred at 5:25 a.m. The regular contingent of locomotives, towing a mix of 28 covered hopper cars, two Union Pacific™ box cars, two of those dreaded black tank cars, and one lone white tank car, contents unknown.

In sports, the MSU/Michigan game on Saturday turned into a rout, with MSU defeating Michigan, 35 - 11. We had a great time at the Post. The Northern Illinois Huskies fell asleep for a few quarters, but came to life and defeated Eastern Michigan, 28 - 17. Yesterday morning, the Lions were also asleep, in England, before they too came to life and defeated the Falcons, 22 - 21, on a last second field goal. The Bears, were in hibernation, as they fell to the Patriots 51 - 23. The rotund lady is singing on their season. The World Series™ is now a two game series, as the Giants hold a 3 - 2 lead over the Royals.

Today I'll be taking the morning constitutional with Sugar to her doctor, and then we'll return to make potato-leek soup. Sugar can't have leeks, but she can partake of the potato part of the recipe. That is dependent on her doctor's visit. If she has gained a few pounds, as Mary and I suspect, then she'll be on a calorie restricted diet, and no soup for her. After that I'll continue to read the book I started. The book is still good. While Sugar was in the bone zone yesterday afternoon, I read some and listened to the oldies. Then I came in to watch some television and head for bed. But I digress. No additional activities that don't incidence reading or playing the girls are planned for today. So without further ado, here are some of yesterdays pictures. Ciao.

When we finally reached the shoreline, this is what we found. 

It turns out that we were at Coast Guard Station Muskegon.

Mary took this shot that beautifully captures my late afternoon activities.

Sugar in the "Bone Zone."

Sideways, but like O'Henry's Last Leaf, this petunia is hanging in there in Central Park.

Good morning or good evening, wherever you may be. It is just past 4:30 a.m. EDT in "The City." I have fallen back into my old habit of writing in the middle of the early morning hours. That's probably because I went to bed at 9:30 p.m. EDT last night. Oh well, since I don't have a fixed schedule, it really doesn't matter. In any event, the current temperature outside the Weather Window is 53° as we drop to the overnight low of 41°. Later today, after the sun rises at 8:09 a.m. EDT, we may see a predicted high of 62° under partly cloudy skies. Oddly enough, Sunday is forecast to have a high of 58° under sunny skies. Go figure. Monday the forecast calls for a high of 71° with a 40% chance of T-storms in the morning. Tuesday, the National Weather Service has predicted a high of 59° with a 70% chance of rain all day.

In other news, today is the day of the MSU/Michigan college football game. Mary and I will be off to the Post later this afternoon to partake of the game and the food. Sunday, we have nothing at all on the schedule, so if the promised sunny skies are a reality, I/we may get in a last bike ride and then put the bikes away for the year. Since I'll have the outer doors to the Man-Cave open, I may take the lawn mower down and replace it in the garage with the snowblower. It is fast closing on November, so here in Michigan, the weather can change at a moment's notice. Of course all of my plans are subject to change at a moment's notice too.

I think that Mary is between jobs for a few days, so that gives us a chance to do a few thing that we haven't had time for lately. I checked out several books at the library yesterday, so I should have time to read them. One of the books is from an author that I haven't read before. His latest book has started out very promising, so if I like it, there are may more of his works that I haven't read. I'll be reading out of order, but that's okay, because if I hadn't read about this recently published  book in the N. Y. Times book review, I never would have known about him at all.

In addition to the MSU/Michigan game today, the Northern Illinois Huskies take on the Eastern Michigan Eagles at 1:00 p.m. EDT today. The Kansas City Royals took back a game in San Francisco last night, winning by a score of 3 - 2, to take a 2 - 1 lead in the World Series™. The Royals came on late in the season to win the Wild Card and go on to the World Series™.

So that looks like enough for a few days. The sun will set at 6: 45 p.m. EDT this evening. Before that, we'll take a morning walk with Sugar the Weather Dog and then walk to the Post in the afternoon. Mary does have to make deviled eggs, so she may be unavailable for that morning walk. That's okay, because Sugar and I will have a nice time out on the town. When Mary goes along, we walk fast, while Sugar and I like to meander along the way. Well at least I do. Sugar has the governing factor of me at the end of her leash. Ciao.

Good evening GH and all points west. It is just past 11:30 p.m. in "The City." We have a current temperature of 50° under cloudy skies. Looks like we'll get down to 45° before the night is over. That's OK by me. Tomorrow, after the sun rises at 8:07 a.m., we expect to see a high of 56° under mostly cloudy skies. Saturday about the same. Sunday is expected to be sunny and 55°. The only chance of rain is 10% on Saturday. It should be a good day to go to the MSU/Michigan game viewing at the Post.

Today the southbound train went by at 2:20 p.m. towing 16 covered hopper cars. At about 6:00 p.m., the two locomotives made the return trip north, sans freight cars of any description.  I don't know what's up with that.

Sugar the Weather Dog and I took the morning walk while Mary worked on her indexing project. When we returned, Sugar the Weather dog morphed into Sugar the Sous Dog and helped me in the kitchen as I made more Buffalo Spicy chickpeas and spaghetti squash. In between, I read the newspaper and worked the crossword. I also found time to play the girls for a while. All good. I was working on some music transcription when I had to go to work in the indexing factory. That took a few hours, but we are done for now. That means that I can get back to work on my music. All good once again.

Tomorrow, Mary has promised to help with the vacuuming. She started that tonight while I had my editor's hat on. Right now, she is futzing in the kitchen and doing some laundry. It has taken her three years, but she is getting a handle on where she wants to store pots, pans, and miscellany. I'm staying out of the way.

I have no specific plans for tomorrow. I think I'll go to the library and pick up the books I have on hold. I'll have time to read them now. Naturally, Sugar and I will take a walk in the morning. She needs to get her Bordatella booster and a pawdicure, so perhaps that's the direction that we'll go. Mary can't go to the doctor's office with us because of her allergy to cat dander.

As the day wears on towards sunset at 6:47 p.m., I should be able to sit in my La-Z-Boy with Sugar and just veg out. What's not to like about that?  Ciao.

Good evening GH. It is just past 7:30 in the evening in "The City." I thought that since I had the time and the inclination, I'd get a head start and do it now. Our current temperature is 46° as we drop to an overnight low of a frigid 32°, just like last night. In the UP, the temperature got down to the lower 20s last night. I am so not ready for winter to begin. Tomorrow, the high is forecast to be 57°. Friday we'll improve by one lonely degree, but Saturday we are supposed to get to 61° under partly cloudy skies. The current long term forecast is that this winter will be more mild and less snow filled than the last one. I like that.

Earlier today, Sugar the Weather Dog, Mary, and I took a walk to the farmer's market for exercise and the chance to enjoy the weather here in GH. When I read the temperature this morning, 32°, I took my heavier winter coat downstairs. Mary convinced me that it would have been overkill, and as is almost always the case, she was right. I didn't even need my gloves. For me, that is a sign that the temperature is just fine. All those years I worked in the gas station business took a toll on my extremities, so I have a tendency to get cold hands. We picked up some produce and some additional eggs for Mary's contribution of deviled eggs, which we will take to the MSU vs. Michigan game to be televised Saturday and shown at the Post.

The Post is having a gathering arranged by one of the ladies who lost her husband last spring. I remember her saying that they had been married over 50 years. Her husband made her promise that she would carry on the traditional party that they started having many years ago. So she is. I think that she is both sad and happy at the same time. Mary makes great deviled eggs and so that should be a nice contribution.

Earlier today, at 2:40 p.m., the southbound train went by. It seemed to both Mary and yours truly, that it was heavily laden. Three locomotives, #s 2019, 2057, and 3885 were in the lead. #s 2019 and 2057 were in the newer livery, while #3885 was still painted in the old colors. One box car and 46 covered hopper cars, were interspersed with the two of those dreaded black tank cars, one gray tank car, and five white tank cars. Mary noted that the white tankers were carrying sulfuric acid. Not mush of an improvement over the contents of those dreaded black tank cars. One of the hopper cars was still painted with the old Seaboard Coast Line livery. As you can surmise, the train going through at 2:40 p.m. was a little odd.

However, the northbound train went through about 6:30 p.m. The same three EMD GP 38 locomotives were in the lead, only in reverse order, followed by 15 covered hopper cars and one lone black tank car. I don't know if there will be any more trains in the early a.m. hours.

Elsewhere, when we finished lunch, Mary went back to work and I raked more leaves. There are 10 bags at the curb waiting for pick-up. There are likely to be at least that many more before the leaves stop falling.

Once I came inside, I played the girls, after I cleaned the kitchen and read the newspaper. Then I became a recliner potato. I guess that I made as much of a contribution as any other day.

The sun will rise at 8:05 tomorrow morning and it has already set this evening at 6:49 p.m. Ciao.

Good morning or good evening, wherever you may be. I am getting a head start on this blog, because I just finished watching a movie on the Hallmark Channel™. I actually liked the movie, but as I've said before, I am a sucker for a good romance. It is just past 11:30 p.m. in "The City" where the current temperature is 49° under partly cloudy skies. Sugar the Weather Dog is downstairs with enjoying some couch time. When the sun rises tomorrow at 8:03 a.m., the skies will still be partly cloudy, but there is a 0% chance of showers. The same for Tuesday and Wednesday, with Wednesday showing sunny skies.

Today I raked leaves, both front and back and then finished the book I have been reading. I enjoyed it immensely. A historical account of the time just before the revolution. The regular and expected cast of characters was in attendance, Paul Revere, Sam Adams, John Hancock, and a large contingent of British Regulars in their "Red Coats."  I also found time to play with the girls and walk with the Sugar the Weather Dog. Adam is right. Sugar knows that I am a soft touch and that's why she is such an accomplished beggar around me. I can't say no to her.

Mary made her vegetarian biscuits and gravy for dinner. My cheddar biscuits topped with her faux sausage gravy. I have to say, that I tried the biscuits and gravy at one of the local places the other day, and Mary's is better. Plus, it didn't have the bad things. What's not to like?

Tomorrow, I have no specific plans, which means that I'll try to find time to do some dusting and vacuuming. Of course, I'll have to give the girls some attention too. The intrepid weather dog and I will go for the morning walk and pick up the newspaper. Mary will continue to work while I work around her. The next raking of leaves will wait for a few more days as they continue to fall from the trees.

No, I didn't forget the train spotting portion of this blog. I just had to be up long enough. Two EMD GP 38 locomotives #3885 and #2019 followed by 16 covered hopper cars heading south at 12:30 a.m.

The sun will set at 6:53 tomorrow. The evening will be dark with a side of darker. That's all folks! Ciao.

Good morning GH. Did you miss me?  It is just past 8:30 a.m. in "The City" where the current temperature outside the Weather Window is 49° and we have just passed sunrise at 8:03 a.m. We are well on the way towards today's high of 58°. With only a 20% chance of showers today, it should be a good day to walk with Sugar the Weather Dog and then rake a few leaves. The balance of the week, through Thursday, is about the same, albeit with a lesser chance of showers. What's not to like?

In weekend sports news, the Michigan Wolverines, as previously mentioned, had the weekend off. The Spartans of MSU handily defeated the Indiana Hoosiers, 56 - 17. Northern Illinois University, home of the Huskies, defeated the Miami of Ohio Red Hawks, 51 - 41. For those who were watching, a last minute penalty to Notre Dame's Fighting Irish led to a loss to the Florida State Seminoles, in Florida, 27 - 31.

I started to watch the Bears and the Lions simultaneously through the use of the remote, but it got old. The Bears didn't get off the bus running, they fell under the bus, losing to the Miami Dolphins, 14 - 27. The Lions held on for a win over New Orleans, 24 - 23.

Mary was hard at work, but once she finished, we headed out to enjoy the fall weather and colorful leaves. We headed down to Hemlock Crossing County Park about 10 miles from here. I'll add a few pictures at the end. Mary has better pictures, soon to be available at http://marygoeswalking.blogspot.com/, her blog, perhaps later today or tomorrow. We also visited Rosy Mound Natural Area, just a few miles from GH. Mary and I also took pictures there. Ottawa County has many fine parks to choose from.

When we got home, we retired to the media room and watched a romance movie on the Hallmark Channel™. We followed that movie with an old Doris Day movie on TCM™. Then, I was ready for bed. I think that Mary had visions of indexes dancing in her head, so she stayed up to watch C-Span's Book TV.

While we were watching the latter movie, the southbound train came by. Two locomotives, 15 covered hopper cars, five of those dreaded black tank cars, and then a final covered hopper car bringing up the rear. When I was out walking with Sugar the Weather Dog yesterday morning, we noted that the rails through town are not always parallel and some of the ties are in need of replacement, hence my concerns over those tank cars. I wasn't awake for the northbound run. I noted as the train passed that the horn happy engineer was at the throttle.

So, that's about it for the last few days, except that I made it to the Irish Jam at the library Saturday afternoon and had a good time. Today I anticipate that morning walk, raking leaves, and some interaction with the girls before the sun sets at 6:53 p.m. I'll add some of my pictures now. Ciao.

Because I liked it.

A bit of the "Magic Light."

As a retired teacher, I just had to take a picture of this outdoor classroom at Hemlock Crossing.

Not uncommon in Michigan at this time of year. While Rosy Mound had this, Hemlock has no restrictions anytime. 

While I had many pictures to choose from, this one just looked good to me. 

At just past 3:00 a.m. in "The City", let me be the first to welcome you, wherever you may be. The current temperature is 48°, although it feels like 43°. We will top out at 49° after the sun rises today at 8:01 a.m. That "high" temperature will be accompanied by an 80% chance of showers in the morning. I'm hoping that by the time I am off to the Irish Jam session at the library, the showers will be gone. Sunday will be mostly cloudy, but the chance of showers drops to 10% along with a high of 54°.

Once again, and probably for many more days, Mary and I teamed up to rake and bag the falling leaves. It was so windy, that the leaves were blowing about and the bags were tipping over. Plus, as fast as we raked and bagged, more leaves came down in search of their fallen brethren. One good thing, the city sponsored street sweeper came by yesterday morning and all of the leaves by the curb were whisked away. If another sweeper comes by next Friday, maybe I can "arrange" for the leaves to fall into the street. Since the back forty on the palatial estate is isolated from the front yard, it is always necessary to cart the leaves to the front in any case.

I am nearly finished with my highlighting and reading of the latest indexing project. An enjoyable and enlightening task in this case. As is often the case, I am learning things I'd never known. I got in some time with the girls both before and after that highlighting.

It was about 5:00 p.m. when Mary wanted to take a walk towards the waterfront. She had consulted the weather forecast on her computer and felt safe in saying that rain was not in the forecast. It was windy, so we wore our wind proof coats. Unfortunately, as is often the case here in GH, once we started out the misty rain was falling, the wind was blowing, and the hoped for walk never reached fruition. Instead, we reversed course and made it to the corner of Washington and Seventh for a dinner of perch, baked potato, and Mary's personal favorite, Cole Slaw. Mary shared the baked potato, but I declined the Cole Slaw. Once again, a good joint effort.

Sugar the Weather Dog had already eaten, so she was happily ensconced on her couch. I try to consult Sugar whenever we are going out. She is usually accurate when rain or a front is coming through. Today, Sugar the Sous Dog will be assisting me in the kitchen as I bake my famous banana nut bread. Sugar is always ready to lend a paw with clean up duties.

When we came home, we watched a pay per view version of You've Got Mail. Both Mary and I caught some ironic nuances that we hadn't seen previously. For the first time in many viewings, I stayed awake in the media room and that helped.

No trains tonight.

Today's college games include: MSU @ Indiana, Michigan has a bye week to lick their wounds, but next week they travel to meet the Spartans. Mary and I will be traveling to the Post for that game. The Northern Illinois Huskies host Miami of Ohio.

Other than the Irish Jam, I have some highlighting to finish, and we may go to the Post for Karaoke in the evening. I say may, because as the day wears on, I wear out.

That looks like a full day for me. Mary will continue to work on her indexing project while I play at the jam. The sun will set at 6:56 p.m. and it is likely that so will I. Ciao.

Good morning or good evening, wherever you may be. It is just past 2:30 a.m. in "The City." The rainy skies of earlier today have given way to dry conditions, for now, and a cool temperature of 56° as we drop to the overnight low of 52°. That's before the sun rises at 7:58 a.m., with a 60% probability of p.m. showers predicted before the sun sets at 6:58 p.m. Saturday, the best forecast might be Brrrrr! That's by my personal standards. Partly cloudy in the a.m., followed by sunny in the p.m. hours. It will be dry, but walking to the Irish Jam at the library will be chilly. Sunday the temperatures will rebound to a more fall-like 54°.

Today I have more highlighting to do, and then more time with reading and the girls. I may bake something like biscuits, just because I can. Plus, that gives me an excuse to stay downstairs and interact with Sugar the Sous Dog.

Yesterday, Mary and I combined to make a small dent in the falling leaves. Mary raked while I walked with the intrepid weather dog and then I came home and bagged. A solid division of labor. I was busy highlighting after sealing the tile in the tub. Then it was time to sit down with the girls. One or two songs later, and Mary finished her work and we were off to the post to deliver the soup to Sally. Finally, we finished the evening at the favorite watering hole. It was trying to rain as we walked home, but it was still a great night in GH.

Mary made me go upstairs when we got home, and there I fell asleep in the media room. I transferred myself to the bed when I awoke with a start, and happily dreamed of nothing that I can recall. No train whistles interrupted my slumber and so all was good.

I stayed up just a bit too late. The northbound run of the nightly train went by at 3:13 a.m. Twin locomotives in off-setting livery were towing four covered hopper cars. That's not a train, that's a waste of diesel fuel.

The San Francisco Giants will face the Kansas City Royals in the World Series™, starting Tuesday night. I think I have to root for the Giants, as it was the Royals who swept the Tigers in four games. No real reason other than that, since I don't have a dog in the race.

There, that's enough for one day/night. Ciao.

Good morning or good evening, wherever you may be. It is just past 4:30 a.m. in "The City", with a current temperature of 56° heading down to 51° before we rebound to a high of 57° under cloudy skies. Right now, there is a hint of fog outside the Weather Window. I saw the tendrils wrapping themselves around the passing train at 4:00 a.m. Friday the temperature warms to 60° with a 30% chance of showers in the evening. On Saturday, the forecast reverses, with a 30% chance of showers in the morning and those same cloudy skies.

All that is my way of saying that the leaves that Mary and I placed in bags at the curb for today's pick up need to be replaced with more raking and bagging today and for several more days, while things stay dry. Since we don't have a curb side, city supplied, service to vacuum up the leaves, we now have the "privilege" of buying bags, raking the leaves, and carting them to the curb several times in the fall. But, we saved taxes for the city.

Speaking of that train, I heard the southbound run at about 12:30 a.m. The northbound run occurred at about 4:00 a.m. The usual EMD GP 38 locomotives, #s 3885 in red, and 2014 in the newer livery, towing nine covered hopper cars with a gray tank car bringing up the rear.

Last evening, Mary and I walked to the community center to see that play I mentioned. My Dearest Friend, which used as it's basic premise, former president John Adams flashing back to his life with Abigail. This was after her death, with the letters the couple had exchanged over many years providing the information. Both Mary and I liked the play, a lot. Afterwards, in a Q and A session with members of the audience, someone remarked that not much has changed in politics in over 200 years.

Mary suggested that we add the playbill to our Christmas tree ornaments Ala Steph and Adam. So, we'll have to get it laminated and then we can do that. All in all, this was a great opportunity to view a slice of history presented in an entertaining fashion. Unfortunately, a theater with 180 seats was only about 1/5 filled, if that. Everybody was next door at the library. At least we think so.

So today, my highlighting begins after I walk with Sugar the Weather Dog and likely before I get to raking those leaves in the afternoon. That way Mary can get to work while I'm out enjoying the fall weather. Once again the bags will multiply, the leaves will continue to fall, and life will be as it should be in small town America. The sun will rise at 7:58 a.m. EDT and set at 6:58 p.m. EDT. That's a short 11 hour day. Ciao.

Good morning GH. We have just passed 4:00 a.m. in "The City." Our current temperature is 56° as we drop to our overnight low of 49°. We did get some rain yesterday, but nothing like the prediction made by the National Weather Service. Today, that same National Weather Service is predicting p.m. showers at 30%, just in time for the trip that Mary and I will be making to the community center for a play about John and Abigail Adams.

The play, entitled My Dearest Friend, was written by a Michigan author. Since I love the study of history, especially that period in American history, it should be a great. experience. The community center theater is something that Mary and I have yet to experience, so that in itself should be fun and entertaining.

Yesterday, I didn't get as much playing time with the girls as I would have liked. By the time that the rain ebbed enough to get out with Sugar the Weather Dog, it was about 10:00 a.m. That trip was followed by a short trip to the local health food store, and then lunch. About two hours later, I was finished chopping, sauteing, and cooking the ingredients for my latest batch of squash and kale soup. The aromas of garlic, onions, and spices permeated all levels of the manor house here on the palatial estate. I think it will be great, and I'll know for sure at lunch today. I must note that Mary made the preparations easier by getting the kale chopped and cooked a few days ago. I made enough soup for Sally to also have some. She is so generous to me, that that's the least I can do.

I sat down to read the newspaper and do the crossword, and then it was time to get in some playtime with the girls. Mary was chatting, so she was not bothered by my warbling. About 3:00 p.m., she came in to say we were off to the farm stand to get some additional winter squash, apples, and eggs. That was the signal it was time to stop playing. I like going to the farm stand, so I'm not complaining. I never did get in any reading. I'll have to try turning in the book today and see if it is on hold. If not, I may be able to check it out again. If it is on hold, I'll put myself in the Que again. I already owe $.45 in fines on other books, and I don't like keeping a book overtime if someone is waiting for it.

Once we got home, Mary and I played a couple of spirited games of Scrabble™ and then watched NCIS. Finally it was time for me to go up to the media room and fall asleep. I awoke just in time to go to bed.

Elsewhere today, I hope to get in more playtime and possibly reading after my morning constitutional with Sugar the Weather Dog. Oddly enough, while I was working in the kitchen yesterday, the intrepid one was upstairs with Mary. I peeled and sliced carrots and squash, and made noise in the kitchen. It wasn't until I dropped some squash in her bowl that her hearing detected the sound of kitchen activity. That brought her on the run. Too late for much action as the resident Sous Dog. She'll get some cooked squash for breakfast today.

In a side note, I heard the southbound train about 12:30 a.m., and now at 5:15 a.m., the northbound run is going by. It was  just the two EMD GP 38 locomotives.

That's enough for one day, let alone two. The sun will rise at 7:56 a.m., and set at 7:00 p.m. Ciao.

Good morning GH. It is just past 5:30 a.m. in "The City" where we show a current temperature of 68°. In theory, we are supposed to see a low of 53°, but how that will happen before we rebound to a post sunrise high of 67° is beyond me. We are also supposed to see a 90% chance of T-storms today, but that hasn't shown up yet either. Wednesday, showers return in the evening with a chance of 40%.

Speaking of water, the level of the "Big Lake" is expected to peak later this month, or possibly in November. Due to the heavy ice cover this past winter, evaporation from the "Big Lake" was well below normal. In addition, the heavy rains that occurred in the spring and early summer and which may yet occur, will push the level of Lake Michigan to levels not seen in 100 years. It wasn't that many years ago that officials were worried about low lake levels.

In other news, I made the trip to the big-box everything store by myself yesterday. While I got everything that I had on my list, the interior temperature of the store was so stifling that I thought I might leave my cart and just go home. I didn't only because I would then have had to return another time and repeat the above procedure. As is always the case, these stores offer great value. But the sheer size forces people to go through several departments in the hope of impulse buying along the way. That size mitigates against my buying anything, especially when I am overheated. I know that Mary feels the same way.

By the time I was done, I was physically exhausted and I needed a trip to the favorite watering hole to restore my strength. This time, instead of saying I can't make it home on the return trip, I was feeling like I couldn't make it to the favorite watering hole. What change of pace.

Today, I am going to take Sugar the Weather Dog for her morning constitutional, and Mary may or may not accompany us if the weather cooperates. Yesterday, Sugar rode in the car without her crate so that Mary could drop something off at the accountant's office. Then Mary and Sugar proceeded towards home, as I went to that big-box store. I'd gladly have changed places with them. My trip was not a good experience.

Today I plan to spend some time reading that book I am working on and playing with the girls. That's enough for me while Mary "Chunks" out her latest project in preparation for my highlighting efforts the next day and beyond. The sun will rise at 7:56 a.m. and set at 7:02 p.m. Ciao.

Good morning or good evening, wherever you may be. It is just past 2:00 a.m. The current temperature is 56° as we drop to the overnight low of 50. The National Weather Service is predicting scattered T-storms today, with most of the heavy storms closer to the border between Michigan and Indiana. That forecast includes a 60% chance with a  high of 66°. Tuesday the high will be 64° and the chance of T-storms rises to 90%. It looks like the prediction for most of the week will be rain off and on. Or is it on and off?

Which leads me to mention that Mary and I got into the back forty to do some fall clean-up. Leaves were raked, the compost pile was turned, and the contents of the hanging baskets found their way into the yard waste bags, as their pots were consigned to the trash. Sugar the Weather Dog didn't get to the "Bone Zone", but did get to lay in the weeds and attract insects to bite her later.

Then it was time for a trip to the Post for Bloody Mary Sunday and conversation. Finally home, where Mary had prepared the ingredients for Pad Thai, sans sesame, earlier, and it was great. I made the same recipe the last time, but her interpretation of the recipe was better. Years of experience that I don't have, I guess.

Later, Mary watched the Hallmark Channel and I retired to the media room and bed shortly thereafter.

In sports, the Lions defeated the Vikings, 17 - 3. The Bears defeated the Falcons, 27 - 13. For the fans to our west and north, the Packers pulled out a last second win over the Dolphins, 22 - 24. A dramatic finish that we watched at the Post after seeing the Lions victory.

Today, we may get that trip in to the big-box everything store that was deferred due to weather yesterday. It was walking, gardening, motorcycle riding and convertible weather for this area. It was not big-box indoor store weather. We do have to get to the accountant and the big-box home center. Both are close to home, but the trip to the big-box home center will require a car as will the trip to the big-box everything store. Too much to carry and a car is necessary.

Speaking of the car, I used the bicycle pump to add air to the tires yesterday. We tried on Saturday's trip to Holland, but all of the air stations we tried either didn't work or had no gauge. So a little sweat later and the tires are now correctly inflated. That should turn off the warning light on the dashboard after a few miles. We didn't drive the car yesterday, so they didn't have a chance to reset.

A quick update at 3:52 a.m. The northbound tun of the rain just went through. The usual twin EMD GP 38 locomotives in mismatched livery, towing 37 covered hopper cars in various stages of paint, from nearly new to rusty and decrepit. Two new looking gray tank cars, one of the dreaded black tank cars, and two barn red box cars.

That will complete the day after the sun rises at 7:52 a.m. and before it sets at 7:06 p.m. Ciao.

Good morning or good evening, wherever you may be. We've just passed 5:30 a.m. in "The City." Our current temperature of 37° is the expected low for today. After the sun rises at 7:52 a.m., the day will be sunny and bright with a high of 61° and a 0% chance of precipitation. Monday will open with scattered clouds which will give way to a sunny afternoon and a high of 65°. Tuesday is another story, as the temperature will remain in the lower 60s, but the chance of T-storms increases to 100%. Sugar the Weather Dog will not be happy.

Saturday was a beautiful day. After listening to Auto-talk, The Pet Files, and the newly expanded Flowerland Show, now two hours instead of one, we set out to do some errands in Holland and the local environs. A stop at the accountant, then on to the big-box stationery store to replenish our printer paper supply. Once we were done there, we set our GPS to take us to the park pictured below.

This is a very rare picture, as Mary consented to be in it. 

Still working on my framing skills.

This is a big park.

Many years ago, Adam took Mary and me to the Bauler Playlot in Chicago. As Adam's G'ma used to say, the name Bauler in Chicago was very well known. Alderman Mathias "Paddy" Bauler was famous for owning a saloon, and coining the phrase, "Chicago ain't ready for reform." Paddy was often quoted in the columns of famed Chicago columnist Mike Royko, also a Chicago legend.  However, Mary and I never knew that there were so many people named Wendt in Michigan. This park is very big, with a ball field, tennis courts, picnic groves and ample parking. Best of all, it is located in Holland. I hope that Adam and Steph appreciate that we have a park named for "our" family. We finished our Holland trip with a stop at the Asian food store for some things that are hard to find in GH.

In sports, the Spartans of MSU defeated the Boilermakers of Purdue, 45 - 31, to go to 5 - 1 in the Big 10 and the lead in the conference. The Wolverines of Michigan squeaked out a win over the Penn State Nittany Lions, 18 - 13. Sadly, for Northern Illinois Husky fans, the Central Michigan Chippewas defeated the Huskies, 17 - 34. 

We walked at the Post to see the group and have a few libations. Sally said they had been busy all day.  

Today, we have to rake some leaves and then go to the big-box everything store. Mary has a theory that if we stay ahead of the falling leaves, we'll do fine. I have plenty of bags to assist in the effort. Last year we put out a large number. This year will be no different. 

That will be enough for the day. Sugar the Weather Dog will provide her assistance in the form of a trip to the "Bone Zone."  This will be one of her last trips. The sun will set at 7:06 p.m. Ciao. 

Good morning, or good evening, wherever you may be. It is just past 2:30 a.m. in "The City." Sugar the Weather Dog is asleep on the couch as she dreams of the weekend ahead, with sunny skies and highs in the mid to upper 50s. No precipitation is in the forecast.

Mary and I finished our work about 3:00 p.m. yesterday and then headed north to see the leaves as they changed color. We seem to have been about one or two weeks early. Oh well, along the way we did stop in a couple of small towns about 30 miles north of here. That gave us some time to take a few pictures that I"ll share later. We left the intrepid weather dog at home and so she didn't get her dinner until about 7:00 p.m.

We stopped off at a very busy favorite watering hole across the bridge. We called the pizza place next door to the watering hole to get a to go pizza. It tasted great. Afterwards, I went up stairs to watch some TV and then play with the girls. I got tired and went to bed as Mary wrestled with our cell phone to get the pictures from the phones  memory and onto her computer. That proved to be the easier part. The phone decided it was time to check the latest software which hadn't been done in over one year. That's where I fell asleep.

Before I went off to dreamland, I got in some time with the girls. Then it was time for some deep sleeping, at least until now. Later this morning, we hope to hook up with the folks at the Flowerland™ Show and get an answer to that pepper plant sprouting tomatoes question I posed to them. Of course that may depend on the phone being ready. A visit to the accountant, a little yard work, and then the day is ours. Somewhere in there, Sugar will want to go for her morning constitutional.

The sun will rise at 7:50 a.m., and set at 7:08 p.m. this evening. Now its time for a few pictures. from our
trip.

This explains where we got the next two pictures.

A retired Lockheed T- 33 trainer, like those used to train pilots transitioning from propeller driven aircraft to jet power.

Mary took this one of the T-33 next to me. While the plane is nice, I think it is nicely accompanied by the scenery.  Mary is getting quite good at framing pictures. I like to think that the subject matter helps. 

This is a picture of the dunes at Silver Lake. Too bad a picture can't do it justice. In the off season it is quiet, but during the tourist season, the ATVs, Dune Buggies, Jeeps,  power boats, and the crowds, probably make it less idyllic. 

I love this picture of the same area.

The clouds near that favorite watering hole over the bridge. 

Ciao.

Good morning or good evening, wherever you may be. It is just past 4:00 a.m. in "The City." We have a current temperature of 41° as we drop to an overnight low of 39°. That's all I have to say about that. When Sugar the Weather Dog offers up more information, I'll share that.

Speaking of Sugar the Weather Dog, she and I had a great walk yesterday morning. The skies were blue, the sun was shining, and the temperature though cool, was very pleasant. As Mary often says, fall is the perfect season, here in GH and around the Midwest in general. Unfortunately, Mary keeps regaling me with stories of the impending worst winter in our memory. That's according to the anonymous, and all too nebulous group that is often referred to as "they", according to Mary. In other words, all we have to go on is our fear of the unknown. It was Franklin Delano Roosevelt who said, "The only thing we have to fear, is fear itself." However, Mr. Roosevelt didn't have to shovel snow in the Midwest.

Elsewhere, I heard both train runs earlier. Each seemed laden with heavy loads, but the southbound run caused the rails to squeal like a Chicago elevated train during rush hour. I think that means that the southbound train was more heavily loaded. I never saw either run, but I could hear them as they passed by.

Yesterday, I received a missive from the fine folks at the Flowerland Show™, regarding the question that I sent to them about my pepper plants with what appears to be tomatoes growing on them. Apparently I intrigued them, so they have asked to talk to me on Saturday morning during their show. I'll be there. I sent them some pictures to give them a point of reference. Hopefully they will have an answer, because I don't.

I also spent some time editing the index for Mary. Lots of detail work, but nothing compared to what Mary has to do to create the actual index. I got an early payment for my work when we traveled to the favorite watering hole last evening. Today we have to visit the accountant to finish the quarterly taxes that go with being a small business owner. Then we'll travel north to see the changing of the leaves.

As I was editing yesterday, the two and four legged girls went for a walk. I was afraid that Sugar was going to like going for two walks again, and I was right. Mary says we have to nip it, nip it in the bud. But when you have a high energy dog like Sugar, she likes to walk. Sugars and I ran into the nice lady who delivers the Grand Haven Tribune in GH Township. As is often the case, she had a treat for the intrepid weather dog, and that sent Sugar into paroxysms of activity as she anticipated that treat. Pavlov would have been proud as Sugar remembered someone and their vehicle that Sugar hadn't seen in many days.  

When Mary and I were walking to the favorite watering hole, I took a few pictures in Central Park to find out how they look when the flash doesn't get in the way.

We still have some flowers in the park.

The fountain in the park, is shut down for the winter. 

I was using the idea of  lines and triangles to give depth and a focal point to a picture, while showing some of the flowers still in bloom.

All of the pictures were taken in natural light as the sun was setting. I like the effect.

That seems like enough for today and yesterday. The sun will rise at 7:50 a.m. and set at 7:10 p.m. So much to do, so little time. Ciao.

Good morning or good evening, wherever you may be. It is just past 2:30 a.m. in "The City." Our current temperature was also the predicted overnight low temperature, 43°. Later today, after the sun rises at 7:48 a.m., we hope to see a high of 53 sunny degrees. Friday, about the same, with a few more clouds. Saturday more of the same. Sunday, the National Weather Service is predicting the same temperature, with a 50% chance of p.m. showers. Then on Monday, an 80% chance of T-storms is in the forecast. I'll wait and see and consult the weather dog, because that N.W.S. forecast is too far out.

Wednesday, passed uneventfully. Mary and I did some editing in the afternoon after our nap. Then it was time for Sugar the Weather Dog and me to go for our second walk of the day. Mary and I had scheduled a delivery of my new La-Z-Boy™ for the afternoon and that was the best time to take Sugar for a walk. Later, it was time to play with the girls and do that editing. I read the newspaper that Sugar and I picked up while we were out. Mary worked.

Today, we have to finish the final editing. If all goes well, we'll get that done in the afternoon, not at 2:00 a.m. Life stops being funny at 2:00 a.m.

Did I mention my new La-Z-Boy™"? In case I forgot, it is very comfortable. Sugar remembered her role in checking out the comfort level too. She knew how to hop up, curl up, and get her dose of pets. It's been several years, but she knew just what to do, as did I.

No trains yet. I am guessing that I didn't hear one. I just watched the northbound run at 3:07 a.m.. Two mismatched locomotives does not a train make.

Elsewhere today, I 'll get to some of that laundry. I just didn't have the energy yesterday. As I've often noted, when you are retired, you can easily procrastinate. I may take a few more pictures before the sun sets at 7:13 p.m. Now that I found out how to turn off the flash, I feel confident that I can take the pictures that I didn't get at the eclipse yesterday morning.  Yes, I felt dumb. I tried the camera out the window of Mary's office yesterday after noon. I'll try some of those pictures out on my faithful readers. They are below. Ciao.

I found new photographic skills yesterday. The sun was behind the clouds and made for a nice effect.

Same here.

This was an experiment in framing. I'm not satisfied, but I am learning.

I like this one better.  It includes houses, trees, and other things to give perspective.  I also used what Mary and I learned abut including angular things in a picture. I also tried to incorporate the "Magic Light" that Mary and I learned about too. 

Good morning GH. It is now past 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday afternoon in "The City." The sun rose at 7:48 a.m., but I waited to write this blog because Mary and I decided last evening to go down to the beach and check out the lunar eclipse that occurred between 6:30 and 7:30 a.m. this morning. As it turns out, this eclipse had a rare effect, what scientists call a selenelion, which happens when the moon is setting and the sun is rising at the same time. The cloud cover before dawn was about 18%, which made for exceptional viewing when Mary and I got there. When I got up earlier, it was 55° and the forecast was for a drop to 47° as dawn approached. The only picture that I got at the eclipse viewing was this one. The winds they blew and the sand it flew and the stars were a magnificent sight.

This was taken at the place where we got the car stuck in the sand. My baking yak didn't like pushing it out.

In other news, Mary worked yesterday and I can't say I accomplished much of anything. Sugar the Weather Dog and I went out for our morning constitutional, but on our way back, Sugar heard one rumble of thunder, and we were off to the races. We couldn't get home fast enough. I played with the girls some and worked on some music, but the day got away from me. Later Mary and I walked over to the Post to see the folks there. Nothing special, but that was my plan for the day.

In sports, the Cardinals will face off against the Giants in the NLCS. The Royals will face off against the Orioles in the ALCS. Not my desired outcome, but I'm betting that the TV executives would prefer a series between the Giants and the Orioles. This is my round about way of saying that the boys in blue haven't been to the series in a long time and haven't won in over 100 years, while the Cardinals and the Giants have been there several times each. Next year never gets here.

Elsewhere in the news, I heard the northbound train go by about 2:45 a.m., at least I think it was the northbound run, because I didn't get up to look. I plan to edit for Mary today. That should complete my day now that we took a post-eclipse nap. The sun will set at 7:13 p.m. and then quiet will once again settle in on GH. Ciao.

P.S.

In a non-related topic, I took these pictures of the last tomatoes on the vines. Unfortunately, it appears that these tomatoes are growing on the pepper plant. I don't get it.

I don't think these are peppers. They look like tomatoes to me.

On the left are the regular tomatoes. On the right, the "Pepper Plant" tomatoes. 

Good morning or good evening, wherever you may be. It is just past 4:00 a.m. in "The City", where the local temperature is 54° as we drop to the overnight low of 47°. Later today, after the sun rises at 7:46 a.m., the temperature will rise to 58° with a 60% chance of rain. Wednesday promises to be sunny and windy with a high of 56°. In fact the balance of the work-week plus Saturday, looks about the same.

I heard the southbound train pass through about 12:00 a.m., but I didn't get up to look. It seemed as though the less manic engineer was at the throttles. However, when the northbound train passed by at 3:30 a.m., the horn-happy engineer had taken over. He was at the throttle of the two EMD GP 38 locomotives, #3885 in the old livery, and #2057 in the newer livery. 51 covered hopper cars, one old enough to be sporting N. Y. Central livery, along with two white tank cars, one lone box car, and three of those dreaded black tank cars followed those locomotives. A long train to say the least.

My son asked yesterday in an e-mail why I have sworn off watching pro-football?  Well, I flippantly told him that it was due to a limited amount of time. However, it goes a bit deeper. Before I retired, I had a limited number of free hours to myself. I figured out one weekend, that the teams won or lost without me watching, and I got about three free hours in the bargain. So while I love to watch sports, in my pecking order, baseball will always come first, because as every right thinking person knows. "Baseball is life!"

College football is still mostly pure, although the money is starting to creep into that game too. I stopped watching basketball about the time that Michael Jordan left the Bulls. I like hockey, but somehow there is no pressing need to watch. In fact, one of the reasons that I got cable TV years ago, was to watch Blackhawks games. Did I mention that "Baseball is life?"

So the best way to describe my eschewing of pro-football, is that I save a few precious hours of an ever dwindling amount of hours in my life, you know those hours that you can never get back, that I can devote to other pursuits. So there you have it Adam.

Today, I plan to use some of my hours to play with the girls, read more, and whatever else strikes my fancy. Selfish? Probably. But that's one of the things that happens to someone like me, someone who has had his share of issues over the past several years. In short, life's too short.

The sun will still set at 7:15 p.m., Mary will still have work to do, and Sugar the Weather Dog will still want to go for her daily constitutional. She has accepted that she and I go on one walk most days, but I think that she might like two. Again, only so many hours in a day. Ciao.

Good morning or good evening, wherever you may be. It is just past 2:30 a.m. in "The City." It is currently 53° as we drop to the overnight low of 48°. Today promises to be partly cloudy with only a 20% chance of rain and a high of 55°. Tuesday well get to 58°, but the chance of showers rises to 40%. Wednesday, we get sun, but the temperature is only forecast to get to 53°. At least today and Wednesday, I won't have to trick the intrepid weather dog into going for a walk. Sunday, it was cold and windy in the morning, so we didn't travel too far.

In sports, to paraphrase the immortal Yogi Berra, it's over for the Tigers, who lost the third game in a row to the Orioles, 1 - 2. In this case, while three was the charm for the Orioles, the Tigers were done. Once again, a starting pitcher made one mistake, and then the Tigers' bats went to sleep. Sigh. Another wait til next year.

The Bears lost to the Panthers, 24 - 31, and the Lions lost to the Bills, 14 - 17. I suppose it's okay to say, "Lions, and Tigers, and Bears, oh my!"

Yesterday, I accomplished a task for which we had purchased the materials nearly one year ago. I can take that off of my "To Do" list and put it on my "To Done" list. In addition, the Hallmark Channel™ was running a Jesse Stone marathon, so I had plenty of viewing material to watch without having to watch pro football. We did stop in at the favorite watering hole in the early evening to watch the Tigers loss though. Sigh.

I got in a small amount of time with the girls, so that made me happy, along with accomplishing that necessary task, watching the Jesse Stone marathon, and not watching pro football, it was a good day. With the exception of the Tigers' loss, all really was good. I also made time to go to the local grocery store first thing in the morning after Sugar and I returned from our walk. Mary was working, so I did something that I don't mind, but that I can do without. I returned the cans for deposit and did the grocery shopping.

No trains yet, at least no northbound run. I probably missed the southbound run.

Today, I have no specific tasks in mind. Sugar and I will get out for the morning constitutional, but that's a need and a desire, not necessarily a task in the truest sense.

The sun will rise at 7:44 a.m. and set at 7:17 p.m. When Mary and I went out last evening, I had to convince her that leaving a light on over the deck, was a good idea. It had started to get dark by the time we were heading home. Once again, sigh. Ciao.

Good morning GH. It is nearly sunrise, which will happen at 7:44 a.m. today, about one hour and 15 minutes from now. I has a can of Pepsi™ and a can of Barq's Rootbeer™ before retiring earlier this morning at 12:00 a.m. Mary is always amazed that I can do that without being stimulated. Caffeine seems to have the opposite effect on me. But I digress.

The temperature outside the Weather Window is 49° as we near the final low of 47°. Rain should hold off until tomorrow. Today we have a forecast high of 51° under partly cloudy skies. Rain once again appears in the forecast on Monday as the temperature rises to 53°. I confess, I broke down and turned on the furnace.

In sports, the at best mediocre Bears, play today at 1:00 p.m. EDT. The Tigers return from Balrimore to face the Orioles at 3:45 p.m. EDT, down 0 - 2 in their best of 5 playoff series. In short, ther is no tomorrow for the Tigers if they don't win today.

Yesterday, the Michigan Wolverines suffered another loss, this one to the Rutgers Scarlet Knights, 24 - 26. Rutgers has always been known as the "Birthplace of College" in America and for the excellent research they do, not for a football team that could beat the likes of Michigan. Oh how the mighty have fallen. The Spartans of MSU defeated the Ball State Cardinals, 27 - 22. The Northern Illinois Huskies eked out a win over the Kent State Golden Flashes, 17 - 14. I guess that the lopsided loss to the Arkansas Razorbacks two weeks ago took a lot out of the Spartans.

Elsewhere, I had to shanghai Sugar the Weather Dog due to yesterday's weather, but we did get out around noon for a quick constitutional. We picked up the newspaper at the independent bookstore around the corner and headed home. For the intrepid weather dog, that was enough for one day. Me too. Mary worked through all of that as I read, played the girls more than I planned, and did some laundry. Mary had batch cooked the night before, so there were options for meals that could be eaten as time permitted, for her, not me. She did make some macaroni and cheese for dinner using things she had on hand, but in spite of the meal being made from scratch, without a box of macaroni and cheese in sight, she made less of a mes in the kitchen. Experience it always the best teacher.

Then it was time to watch the late movie on the Hallmark Channel™, Last Chance Harvey. That's why I got to bed late, that and watching a late night episode of NCIS.

So now here I am. I have a few errands to run today after Sugar and I hit the streets and then I can settle in, skip pro-football, and read and play the girls. What's not to like?  Before the sun sets at 7:17 this evening, I'll have accomplished a bit less, but enjoyed myself a lot more. That is unless the Tigers fall to the Orioles. Mary will continue to work. Ciao.

Good morning GH. It is just past 4:30 a.m. in "The City", where we find that the current temperature outside the Weather Window is a brisk 48°, as we head for the morning low of 43°. Although we didn't get the T-storms that were predicted for the area yesterday, we did get about .87 inches of rain. How's that for an estimate. I feel like Mr. Spock, who, when he was asked to estimate the distance or time, gave an "exact" estimate. Today, the temperatures are forecast to be a high of 48° once the sun rises at 7:44 a.m., and the showers without thunder and lightning will continue. We get a brief respite from the rains on Sunday, and the temperature will rise to 53°. Then Monday brings more showers in the morning at 50%.  All days will have winds exceeding 15 mph. Sugar the Weather Dog allowed herself to go for a walk around 2:00 p. m. yesterday. Today, who knows.

In sports, the only game of import to me and the majority of people in Michigan, was the Tigers at Baltimore. Unfortunately, the Tiger's shaky bullpen let a three run lead slip away and they lost the game to the Orioles, 6 - 7. I think I hear that famous lady warming up her vocal chords.

No trains on the northbound run. I must have missed the southbound run, although I was up until nearly midnight.

I did get a lot of music revised for my travelling book. I find that there are little errors in some of the pieces. Maybe I'll do more today. I am a nitpicker and so the little things bother me. Otherwise, the book is shaping up nicely. I'll try to get the intrepid weather dog out for a walk, but that is problematical. I have to do some laundry, but that's something that I can do while working the crossword and reading. I think I'll take the music revision more slowly today. That's after I listen to Auto Talk and the stories of cars with 200,000 plus mile and the woes of their owners. I may also listen to Pet Talk too. In short, the average Saturday. I may take time to watch some college football too, but that's a "Game Time" decision.

So that looks like enough for one day. I won't be doing any outside work on the palatial estate due to the weather. The sun will set at 7:19 a.m. Ciao.