Good morning or good evening, wherever you may be. It is just past 4:00 a.m. in "The City."

At this hour, not much is happening. The bars are all closing and Mary is dozing and I'm awake. I borrowed the inspiration for that line from a song by the late Steve Goodman entitled The Lincoln Park Pirates. 

Alas, that appears to be my life as I know it. But that's okay, because I never get bothered at this hour. Even STWD is sound asleep. Truth is,there was a long ago television sitcom titled My World and Welcome to It starring William Windom. He related what was happening in the life of he, his wife, and his preteen daughter. I think it was based on a novel from 1942 by James Thurber. Windom played the title character and worked as a writer and cartoonist for a magazine like the New Yorker. Although the show was critically acclaimed, it lasted just one season 1969-70. As Mary and I can both attest, many shows that we like that portray life with whimsy and wit don't last.

Otherwise, I am up to page 452 in my work. My ogre boss says I can have the day off today. I am not supposed to do anything but read and do a crossword or two, and maybe play with the girls. I should change the strings on Abaigeal, so that will take some time.

I may also get into the kitchen because Mary will be upstairs and she can't stop me. Of course, I will have to work around her organization system, so that may complicate things a bit. I found a recipe for minestrone that I'd like to try and I think I have enough of the ingredients on hand to pull it off. Maybe not everything, but close enough.

Otherwise, I have no specific plans. I'm working on the latest book written by John Grisham entitled Gray Mountain. I'm not real deep into the book yet, but I plan to change that today. I also have two books on the shelf downstairs and one on hold at the library. I've just been too busy to get much reading done. Come to think of it, that may mitigate against any activities in the kitchen.

I did get some music typed into my database that I'm working on learning. That's what I usually mean when I say I am working on some music. I type up the lyrics as I remember them and then work out the chords. Sometimes it can be a lengthy process, but I like doing it.

Later today the sun is supposed to shine and the temperature will rise to 54°. While not hot, it will be comfortable for the morning walk with STWD. As long as the wind isn't blowing too hard, it should be all good. We'll have to wait for late this coming week for warmer temperatures.

A quick sports report. The boys were rained out in their game with the Reds. The Tigers righted the ship and beat the Indians, 4 - 1. My beloved Red Sox lost to the Orioles 4 - 5, but since the Yankees lost to their crosstown rivals, the Mets, the Red Sox are still tied for first place in the A.L. East. with identical records of 10 - 8. The Caps fell to the Dayton Dragons, 4 - 5 and they are mired in sixth place.

The sun will be rising at 6:45 a.m. and setting at 8:39 p.m. Ciao