Good morning or good evening, wherever you may be. It is just past 12:30 a.m. in "The City."

I'm going to keep this blog short, not of necessity, but just because I want to. We shall see.

Yesterday, we walked to the hospital/doctor's appointment for my knee treatments and surgical consult. Mary got a gratis consult to confirm my diagnosis of the ganglion cyst on her wrist from the doctor while we were there. Basically, don't worry, be happy unless it causes pain, which it isn't at this time. I am scheduled for repair to my thumb joint on May 23. That is followed by several weeks of casts, both fixed and removable, and still more weeks of physical therapy. Given the pain that now comes with playing the girls and other hand related activities, it will be worth the time and effort. While the surgery and its associated recovery time will initially cut into my guitar playing, long-term it will allow me to play pain free.

It is now officially Friday the 13th for those of you who believe in that sort of thing.

Today, I plan to finish my latest novel which is overdue at the library. I should be able to knock it out later this morning, as it is in large type format. Then I can return the book and pay the fine.

I worked more on Mary's hobbit door yesterday. I have more to go, but I am making steady progress with my limited tools. I also learned that leaving the outer doors to the man-cave open allows bumble bees to enter and scare me. Fortunately, Mary doesn't go down there very often, so the bee will probably end his limited life there before she has to deal with him/her.

Mary took the morning safari with STWD yesterday since we got up later than planned and wanted to walk to the hospital. That gave her more steps than me yesterday. Still, with a little work in the gardens, I wound up with nearly 8,000 steps, which is four miles.

The day's meals were the salad bar at the hospital and a veggie hot dog with all the trimmings and a side of Tater Tots™. Previously, we had been to the big-box bed, bath, and kitchen store for two things, including the sea salt that we needed.

We have a current temperature of 51/53° with no precipitation, The view out the WW is dark with a side of street lighting. The next several days will be cooler than average here in "The City" and across much of the country.

In sports, the Cubs had the day off before opening a series against the Pirates today. The boys have a record of 25 - 8, good enough for lead over those Pirates of 7.0 games in the N L Central. The Tigers dropped another one, this time to the Orioles, 5 - 7. The Tigers continue to languish in 4th place in the A L Central. My beloved Red Sox made it four games in a row in which they scored more than 10 runs, This time they pounded the hapless and seemingly helpless Astros, 11 - 1. The Sox have a record of 22 - 13 in the A L East. The Caps finally found a team they could beat, the Ft, Wayne, IN TinCaps. Final score, 5 - 2. The Caps now have a record of 16 - 15 in the M W League East, just behind those TinCaps.

Today, just the regular Friday chat for Mary and the chiropractor for both of us. Naturally some time in the kitchen for Mary. More reading and crosswords for me after the morning walk with the intrepid one. There may or may not be some trainspotting. Yesterday, we heard a large ship moving up the channel as we walked to and from the hospital. It was blowing its fog horn to warn small craft of its approach in the foggy channel. The sun will rise at 6:22 a.m. and set at 9:00 p.m. Ciao. .