Good morning GH. It is just passing 6:20 a.m. in "The City." That means that the sun has already risen at 5:52 a.m., and it will set more than 14 hours from now at 8:16 p.m. The view out the WW confirms those times. The beauty of sunrise and sunset times is that they are not predictions that the NWS makes, but actual facts based upon the rotation of the earth.

Trains are expected today.

Sports news was mostly good, with the exception of the loss by the Cubs 2 - 4, to the 17 - 22 Milwaukee brewers by the 27 - 10 Cubs. That means that the boys are still in 1st place in the NL Central by a scant 6.5 games over the Pirates. The Tigers won their second in a row over the Twins, this time by a more robust score of 7 - 2. The Tigers are still languishing in 4th place in the AL Central with a record of 18 - 21, just ahead of the Twins who are the division cellar dwellers. My beloved Red Sox fell to the lowly Astros, 5 - 6 to remain in 2nd place in the AL East, still statistically tied with the Orioles. The Caps soundly defeated the Bowling Green Hot Rods 6 - 0, to move to 19 - 16 in the MWL East, good enough for 4th place and breathing down the neck of the Hot Rods who are in 3rd. That other team from Chicago lost 5 - 6 to the cellar dwelling Astros.

I finished staining the deck yesterday, which probably explains my inability to get up before the sun rose this morning, However that means that today, the only requirement on my schedule is the morning safari with STWD. The NWS has forecast a high of 63° under partly cloudy skies and no precipitation due for the foreseeable future. Tomorrow promises to be sunny with a high of 65° for our cruise on the Grand River after my morning visit at the hospital for my knees and some pre-surgical testing, before next Mondays thumb repairs.

Yesterday after I finished the deck, I made my personal favorite, vegan Beefaroni™. Mary tried some when she got home from her successful weaving, nee looming class, which I have on good authority went very well. She pronounced my culinary efforts very tasty. Mary finishes her class today and says she is hooked, although no crocheting is involved.

Today, with the deck finished, I have only reading planned. I need the rest. As I've said before, retirement can be very taxing. STWD will gladly take a leisurely stroll with me this morning whether she knows it or not. I'll be strolling while she will be straining at the end of her leash.

Ciao.