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

Not much was happening yesterday, and that corresponded nicely with my desires.

Since the weather looked threatening when I got up, Mary had already taken STWD for her morning constitutional. As it turned out, the T-storms that had been forecast for yesterday and which ultimately drove the intrepid one into her hide-e-hole, arrived about 11:00 a.m. A few claps of thunder was all it took to convince Sugar that it was time to get out of town, or at least out of harms way.

We did get a good downpour that will eliminate the need to water for today, and with luck, tomorrow too. Our current temperature of 66° will yield to an overnight low of 53°, before the sun rises at 7:00 a..m. The sun will set at 8:33 p.m. under a gibbous moon.

This is day one of the adventure. STWD and I will be on our own until late Thursday as Mary begins her mini vacation in the woods. I'm already planning what I'll do with my time alone. Mary has her bags packed and she's ready to go, but as of yet, she's not standing here outside our door. That's what happens when you listen to the John Denver channel. She did leave me with some things that I'll be cooking when she is gone. My dinner yesterday was minestrone which Mary had thawed from a batch I had prepared earlier in the year.

Speaking of cooking, Mary made a terrific breakfast yesterday. Scrambled tofu was accompanied by her version of American fried potatoes. All were delicious. She was trying to ensure that I get enough protein and other nutrients while she is away, knowing that left to my own devices, I may be lacking in some of them. I've assured her that I can do this and not to worry.

In sports, the men in blue seem to be for real, as they swept the Braves with a convincing win, 9 - 3. That puts them at 20 games over .500, but still in third place, with an overall record of 71 - 51. unfortunately, the Pirates are playing great baseball, and the Cardinals are having a typical Cardinal year, which puts those two teams ahead of the men in the standings. However, the men are several games ahead of the Giants in the wildcard race. The men have an afternoon game today, a make up of a rain out against the Indians leftover from June. The Tigers fared worse, as they fell to the Rangers, 2 - 4. They now have a record of 59 - 64, which puts them in third place too. My beloved Red Sox are still in last place, with an overall record of 50 - 68, following a loss to the Royals, 6 - 8. The Caps dropped one to the Captains of Lake County, OH, 2 - 5.

Today I'll see Mary off on her road trip before I hit the mean streets with STWD. We'll return and then I can make my meals. STSD will be there to provide both moral support and do her usual job of clean-up. Then I'll settle in to read the newspaper and do the crossword.

I have a couple of books to return to the library, which Sugar can witness from outside. I'll bring her home before I hop on my bicycle to pick up some books and make a drop at the UPS™ store. Then it will be time for lunch. I'm not sure what that will be yet. Once those things are done, I'll sit and read another novel. I also want to try a few practice golf stretches and swings in the back forty of the PE in preparation for my first game in 20 years or so.

I'm looking at a bus ride to the Grand Haven Golf Club on Wednesday. I checked, and Harbor Transit™ goes to their location in the township. The club is celebrating their 50th anniversary Thursday through Sunday, so Wednesday should-be a good day to play my inaugural nine holes.

Otherwise, not much will be happening. Ciao.