Good morning or good evening, wherever you may be. It is just past 3:00 a.m. in "The City."

I think I'll start with trainspotting because I never actually spotted any. At 11:40 a.m., I heard the southbound train while we were on safari, but I never actually saw it. Later in the afternoon, while we were at the chiropractor, I heard the northbound run, but once again, I didn't see the train. Oh well, that's life on the RSTL.

A nice segue, since while I was at the chiropractor, I did get my new inserts. They are very well made, and will require some break in time, but they are a good addition for comfort.

Since it was Mary's birthday, she got a call from her brother, Ed. They had a nice conversation and then we had to go to make it to the Social Security office before it closed. We made it to the office in time, where a nice young woman answered all of our questions. While we didn't like the answers we heard, at least we now know where we stand. That visit took over one hour that we will never get back. We had to make it back to GH for that 3:30 appointment at the chiropractor.

After the chiropractor, we stopped at JWs for libations and then we came home, where the birthday girl made dinner. I know some might suggest that as it was her birthday, she shouldn't have to be in the kitchen, but for Mary, that seems to be a form of therapy. Lunch consisted of a cucumber salad made with a fresh cucumber from the gardens of the PE. That was the side to go with sandwiches made with Mary's now famous beest. All good.

Mary received a very nice Bonsai plant from Adam and Steph for her birthday. All I got for her was a card and some blueberry butter. I like to think that she appreciated both things. It took me two trips to downtown GH on an especially hot and humid Wednesday afternoon, but she was/is worth two trips.

Since I had to go to the library on Wednesday while Mary was in Holland, I thought I could combine that trip with a trip to the downtown. However, I arrived downtown at 9:30 a.m., about one-half hour before the stores opened. So, I had to reprise my route in the afternoon. Don't tell Mary, but I took my bike for the second trip. I was careful, and so all went well.

Adam called yesterday to say that he is doing well, as we'd expected.

Sports news yesterday was mostly good. The Cubs appear to have righted the ship, as they defeated the Texas Rangers 6 - 0 in a game that featured some outstanding defense and even better pitching. The Cubs now have a record of 54 - 35 in the N. L. Central, still good enough for a solid hold on 1st place, with a full 8.0 game lead over the 2nd place St. Loius Cardinals, who lost to the Marlins. The Cubs and the Rangers face each other again today at 2:20 p.m.

The Tigers also won 4 - 2 over the Kansas City Royals. The Tigers now have an A. L. Central record of 47 - 43, but they are still in 2nd place, 6.5 games behind the Indians. The Tigers face the Royals again tonight @ 7:10 p.m.

My beloved Red Sox are on a tear, as they defeated the Yankees, 5 - 3. Three home runs helped the Sox win again and move to 50 - 38 in the A. L. East. Unfortunately, the Orioles also won, so the Sox are still in 2nd place, 2.0 games back. The Sox and the Yankees play again this afternoon @ 4:05 p.m. @ Yankee Stadium.

Sadly, the Caps fell to the Kane County Cougars in Geneva, IL, 2 - 8. That moves the Caps back to even with a Midwest League East record of 10 - 10, good enough for 4th place. Same teams tonight @ 7:30 p.m.

We have to take the morning safari and then Mary has to get to work on the index. She ahs received some additional guidance, so hopefully, that will be enough to get the work started again.

I have to water and then do some pleasure reading after the morning safari. We have a current temperature of 59° under clear skies. Those clear skies will become sunny skies later today as we reach a high of 77°. There is a forecast from the NWS of p.m. T-storms for Sunday with a 60% chance. Monday's forecast is for a.m. T-storms, also with a 60% chance. However, this being GH, I will once again await the forecast from STWD.

The sun will rise today @ 6:20 a.m. and set @9:21 p.m. Ciao.