Good morning or good evening. wherever you may be. It is just past 3:30 a.m. in "The Currently Quiet City." I say currently quiet, since the holiday celebrations began here in GH last night, STWD is now in her Thundershirt™. I briefly thought about removing it when I arose earlier, but I think she may need it sooner rather than later today. Between her hide-e-hole and the Thundershirt™ shirt, she will survive, but not without some trauma.

Keeping with the theme, the 4th of July celebration will begin today and probably extend into Sunday, or at least until the ready supply of consumer grade fireworks is exhausted. Unfortunately, many of our local pyromaniacs seem to have access to some pyrotechnics that should only be used by professionals.

According the the NWS, the day should be in the mid 70s with mostly sunny skies after the sun rises at 6:10 a.m., and long before it sets at 9:27 p.m. under another waning gibbous moon. Our local fireworks show is scheduled for 10:00 p.m. This morning we can't wait to get to the downtown and waterfront areas to see where people have "fenced" off their little kingdoms for the best viewing.

Here in GH, as in many hamlets across the country, the higher species marks its territory with the placement of a blanket or a duct tape rectangle. We'll watch from the hill on Washington St. near our home, and then head back to our front porch to watch, the mad and fruitless dash for home by the rest of the citizens of the Tri-Cities area. That's why the street/traffic restrictions are in place until 2:00 a.m. Sunday morning.

In sports, the boys in blue fell to the Marlins 1 - 2. Once again, too many personal bests were overshadowed by a weak team effort. Tonight the boys will be starting a pitcher that they acquired for cash from the Pirates. He hasn't pitched in the majors since 2013. The Tigers held on to defeat the Blue Jays, 8 - 6 after nearly squandering an 8 - 0 lead. In addition, the Tigers designated for assignment two relief pitchers who were like the firemen in "Fahrenheit 451." My beloved Red Sox tumbled once again, 8 - 12, this time to the Astros. The Caps nicely defeated the Great Lakes Loons, 6 - 1.

Elsewhere in our little world, we walked with STWD early yesterday and then after dinner we went downtown without her to see how crazy things were getting. The restaurants were crowded and people were wandering about. In short, a normal holiday weekend in a tourist town.

We stopped in at the Post to see Sally and then came home. I watched a couple of episodes of Family Guy which were followed by Notting Hill. Mary stayed up to watch, I went to bed.

Today, Mary plans to work, I plan to read, and STWD plans to hide. Together Mary and I will grill some veggies and veggie burgers for our holiday celebration. I have no strong desire to go out and about with the pyromaniacs on the prowl. Sugar will be in hiding. Ciao.