Good morning GH. If you can imagine Robin Williams in his iconic role as Adrian Cronauer saying that famous line in Good Morning Vietnam, you get an idea of where my inspiration began, today. At any rate, it is just past 8:00 a.m. in 'The City." Thanks again to Jack Webb for that part of my opening.

Today has already opened when the sun rose at 6:38 a.m. The skies are only partly cloudy, and the high temperature is expected to be 79° before the sun sets at 9:02 p.m. That means that STWD will be happy to go for her morning safari and I'll be happy to renew my harvesting efforts in the gardens of the PE.

Speaking of harvesting, in a tangential fashion, I plan to use some of the harvest of kale to make a variation of my famous squash and kale soup. I'll be using the summer squash that we got from Sally last week to stand in for the acorn squash the recipe calls for. Otherwise, all will be as it was. I made vegetable broth over the weekend, so that will also be incorporated too. Mary will be working, so I will have access to the kitchen. The intrepid weather dog will be there too, in her role as STSD. However, when I make this soup, there is very little for her to assist with. She can't have onions and she has to be limited in her garlic intake, so there will be little call for her services. I still like heaving her there anyway.

We have an in-home appointment with an insurance agent this afternoon, as we attempt to get a handle on the rates for our auto and homeowners insurance premiums. Michigan has some of the highest auto insurance rates in the country. Here, the costs of long term medical care are included in the premiums each year. This is the only state that has that as part of the law. In most states, those long term costs are transferred to the state or capped. People in MI think they are paying too much, but if you consider the actual costs of long term care, Michigan is very realistic.

Our homeowners insurance is another matter. Since the PE was built in 1902, the cost of replacement in case of a fire, is higher for plaster walls and solid oak woodwork. Maybe when the agent sees the house, he can offer some relief.

In sports, the boys in blue endured two lengthy rain delays in Pittsburgh before the game was postponed. The Tigers had the day off, before Justin Verlander tries to continue his strong showings of late this evening. My beloved Red Sox also had the day off. The Caps likewise.

Trainspotting yesterday was only a morning thing. The southbound train with locomotives 2019 and 2057 rolled past at 10:22 a.m., towing one once box car, 14 CHCs and then a mix of DBTCs totaling 16, interspersed with one gray and one white tank car. In the early afternoon, the Mid-Michigan sent out a crew of gandy dancers to do some track work. Gandy dancer is an old slang term for track workers. Given the age of the tracks here, that seems appropriate.

As noted, I will be cooking today and Mary will be working. I think I'm going to put off my trip to the driving range until tomorrow. I want to stay at home today, in addition to my cooking plans and that visit by the insurance agent, another busy day. Ciao.