Good morning or good evening, wherever you may be. It is just past 5:00 a.m. in "The City." Our current temperature is a not uncomfortable 56° as we near our overnight low of 50° Unfortunately, we'll get to our high today of 66° with rain drops falling on our heads. Naturally, STWD is upstairs next tot he bed as she isn't fond of rain and storms, nor water in general. In an aside and an update, I just felt what was either an earthquake, or a strong clap of thunder. In either case, Sugar will be off to her hide-e-hole at 5:45 a.m.

Surprisingly, I am not on the throes of despair. Theo Epstein, the general manager of the Cubs, said that the men in blue were going to make it to the World Series "Next Year", and it looks as though "Next Year" may soon be here. The Cubs have their collective backs against the wall as the Mets have taken a 3 - 0 NLCS lead by winning 5 - 2 over the Cubs Tuesday night. One more loss tonight will send the Cubs home for the winter and the Mets on to the World series.

In this case as a long time die hard fan, I hope that the Theo gets another solid starting pitcher for the rotation next season and that Joe Maddon takes the men to spring training next year with newly gained poise and confidence. Maybe then, it really be "Next Year." So no, I am not disappointed, just hopeful. Do I sound like  Cubs fan?

Elsewhere in the news, yesterday I rode my bicycle to my orthopedist appointment on a beautiful fall morning . I put the storm windows into the windows that needed them downstairs and learned something about the way they work too. A good result in all ways.

We did make it to the grocery store yesterday. I started the shopping as Mary got her flu inoculation. I also redeemed some coins that we had been saving in a can like Oprah recommended. I got a voucher for a shade over $36.00 in pennies, nickels and dimes. Banks no longer provide that service here in Michigan as near as I can tell. One more way that we get "Nickled and Dimed" by entrepreneurs. We also stopped in at the reuse store near the grocers and picked up a nice "New to Me" pair of jeans to replace a pair that is on its "Last Legs", pun intended.

Afterwards, we ate dinner at JWs after stopping in at the library to see the city's master plan for the future. It looks promising.

Today, since Mary has no indexing to do until Friday at the earliest, we'll likely stay in bed, listen to the radio and wait to go out with the intrepid weather dog until the skies clear. A good day for playing with the girls and perhaps attempting to learn how to play the harmonica I got last year in Florida. I also have to get out the puzzle building table and attach the green felt that we purchased a few days ago to minimize slippage of puzzle pieces.

The sun will rise later at 8:05 a.m. and set at 6:52 p.m. In between, we'll attempt to get STWD to go out. Ciao.