Good morning or good evening, wherever you may be. It is just past 2:00 a.m. in "The City."

The weather is a good place to begin, because as usual, here in GH, the weather is unpredictable. On the other hand, we could be in the Western US, so I have no real complaints. The current temperature is 64° under clear but dark skies outside the WW. Later today, we have a forecast high from the NWS of 77° under sunny skies. No rain is in the forecast until late Wednesday at 50% . So that means that my new hose will be getting a workout. In fact, with the exception of that one day, we'll be having highs in the upper 70s or lower 80s and no rain.

Trainspotting yesterday was hit and miss. Since I had that appointment for O/T at the hospital at 1:00 p.m., we traveled too soon to see the southbound passage. However, I got a late report from Marcia, the chiropractor's office manager, when we were there later in the day, regarding the southbound passage that happened at lunch time. She reported it as a long, slow-moving train, that required the blowing of the train whistle for extended blasts at every crossing in GH. I'm thinking that the horn-happy engineer was back at the throttles. Therefore, the only thing I know for sure is from Marcia's report about the time and length of the train.

I was able to spot the northbound run of locomotives 2057 and 2019, as they made their way north, moving very slowly. 11 CHCs, one BC, and three DBTCs. I wonder if the extreme heat slowed the progress in both directions, as the railroad might have been worried about the spacing of the rails due to the heat. Given what I have personally observed regarding the condition of those rails, I think that their concern was warranted.

My O/T appointment went well. I am healing nicely, but I still have many weeks to go in this accursed cast. Sigh. New therapies were employed and encouragement was offered, but you can't rush the healing process. Sigh again.

STWD was in her various hide-e-holes most of the day. She didn't venture forth until we got back from the hospital, when Mary took her on safari as I watered. I had planted the plants in the pot earlier in the day, so I made sure to water them well then and later too, along with the new grass seeds.

Mary had a scare with her computer yesterday, as she seemed to have been attacked by that ransom-ware that I mentioned a few weeks ago. She followed the recommended protocols and everything seems to be OK. However, her plans to get to work on the index were dashed on the rocks of despair.

Sports news was not so good. as the Cubs lost to the Cardinals, 2 - 3. The Cubs are still 11.5 games ahead of the Cardinals and in 1st place in the N. L. Central.

The Tigers edged the visiting Mariners, 8 - 7 to go to 35 - 35 in the A. L. Central, still good enough for 3rd place, 4.5 games behind the Indians, but 1.0 games ahead of that other team from Chicago.

Speaking of that other team, they visited my beloved Red Sox and beat them, 1 - 3. However, the A. L. East division leading Orioles lost too, so nothing changed. The Sox are still in 2nd place, with a record of 39 - 30.

The Caps were off, as they savor their appearance in the playoffs as a wildcard team later this summer, with a record of 39 - 28 in the first half. Those playoffs begin at the end of the season, with a one and done for the Caps. First there is the Midwest League All-Star game tonight. The Caps have three players on the roster for that game.

Mary served a dinner of vegan Mongolian beef, well actually soy curls marinated in a special blend of herbs and spices, served over a bed of Couscous. I liked it, and it is a keeper.

Today, more watering, Mary has a chat, and I have reading to do towards my Beachcomber's Book Bingo goal. Those things occur after the morning safari with the intrepid one. Mary lost work time to that ransom-ware attack yesterday, so she needs to make up for lost time.

The sun will rise at 6"05 a.m. and set at 9:28 p.m. Ciao.