Good morning or good evening, wherever you may be. It is just past 4:30 a.m. in "The City." Finally, it is quiet once again outside the WW. STWD is fast asleep on "her couch", after a mostly sleepless day and evening yesterday. Thankfully, her Thundershirt™ spared her most of the physical trauma, but when we took her for walks, twice yesterday, the poor baby was scared out of her mind by the pyromaniacs and their seemingly insatiable need for bigger and louder pyrotechnics. She spent an inordinate amount time shaking in her hide-e-hole in fear.

Mary and I decided to go down to the waterfront to see how things were going yesterday without the intrepid weather dog. I took some pictures which I'll include later. In the afternoon, we grilled out and tended the vegetable gardens. I also took some pictures of the grilling activity, along with some pictures of the veggies themselves.

Later, we viewed the fireworks display and then returned to our front porch to see the mass exodus from "The City." I somehow managed to forget my camera when we walked over to Washington to view the 4th of July Fireworks display. I'll beg amnesia or something. I was reminded of a time many years ago, when my niece was very young and our own version of watching fireworks on the 4th came with the requisite Oohs and Aahs.

All of the above describes our day yesterday, except that I also did some reading and finished my first homemade wind chime while Mary worked. I took a few pictures of the windchime too.

In sports, the boys in blue took the Marlins, 7 - 2, powered by the pyrotechnics of Kris Bryant and his two home runs, one a grand slam. The Tigers also won yesterday, 8 - 3 over the Blue Jays. Unfortunately, they also placed a good portion of their offense on the DL when first baseman Miguel Cabrera sustained a calf strain during Friday's game. This is his first trip to the DL in his career. My beloved Red Sox handily defeated the Astros, 6 - 1. Finally, the Caps eked out a win over the Lake County Loons, 6 - 5. A four win day, not bad.

The weather yesterday was perfect, albeit a tad humid early on. Overall, the day was sunny and dry. Today, the temperature will rise from its current 59° to a high of 81° after the sun rises at 6:11 a.m. and long before it sets at 9:27 pm.

Now for those pictures. I apologize in advance for their number, but this is only a small portion. soooo.

Our clematises? are doing great this year, as are Mary's Elephant ear and lilies. as seen in this same picture.

Our "bean patch" in the back forty of the PE.

I think that for my first effort, the wind chime came out well.

While the chimney for the grill gets the coals going quickly, it is, after all, a chimney.

When man first stood erect, he felt a need for fire. Then he smelled like he was on fire.

Here among the leaves, are two examples of our homegrown zucchini. Not yet ready for prime time, but soon.

Mary's  prep efforts.

The post prep results. Yes, it was delicious.

A westerly view from the front porch around 11:00 p.m. last night. Mary tells me that the jam lasted until after midnight.

Looking east from the porch at the same time. 

No particular reason, I just like the picture. 

As noted in yesterday's blog, the local pyromaniacs always put on a great "backyard" show.

Like the next several pictures, evidence of the marking of space by the lower species.

The finished municipal deck on the waterfront.

What would a 4th of July celebration or a Coast Guard Festival be, without a few food vendors.

Ciao.