Good morning or good evening, wherever you may be. It is just past 2:30 a.m in "The City."

I'd like to start with a couple of songs from the performers, Ruth and Max Bloomquist, whom Mary and I saw last evening in Central Park. They performed during the last of the Tuesdays in the Park concert series sponsored and simulcast by our local radio station, WGHN. Ruth and Max are lifelong Michiganders who have traveled the world singing and playing their brand of folk/rock music.

The first song is a one that both Mary and I like/liked and which I have adapted so that I can play and sing a version utilizing one of the girls. It's called Michigan Girl and it was written by Ruth many years ago. I like to think that Michigan Girl sums up the feelings of both Mary and I about our adopted state nicely. I also included I Don't Remember a Waltz. I hope you enjoy both songs as much as we did. There were several more, but there is only so much room in a given blog.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMVG4TJL0lE

 I Don't Remember a Waltz begins @ 3:59 on the following YouTube™ link, which also has Daddy Was an Old Man: a poignant ballad also written by Ruth @ the beginning

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgt1u3L93mM

Otherwise, discretion being the better part of valor, we made a decision yesterday that we'll be going to the Caps game against the Dayton Dragons Sunday afternoon, rather than the Tigers game on Thursday. The drive to Detroit and the difficulty in finding a nearby hotel caused me to make an executive decision. I'll watch the games on TV in the media room and it is more likely that I'll enjoy myself more in the air-conditioned media room than in humid Comerica Park.

Since I am on the topic of baseball, it is a great time to say, Cubs Win!, Cubs Win!, Cubs Win! In fact, although I got the location wrong, it's a good thing that the Cubs didn't and they won two games yesterday by similar scores. The first game of the rare NL Central day/night twin bill against the Brewers @ "The Friendly Confines was won by the Cubs 4 - 0. I'd be remiss as a Diehard Cubs Fan if I didn't include the following clip of a spectacular catch of a foul ball by Anthony Rizzo, the Cubs' first baseman.

http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/195923584/anthony-rizzo-climbs-wall-to-catch-foul-ball/

I think Rizzo made it look easy! In the night game, the Cubs won by a final score of 4 - 1.

That leaves the Cubs very solidly atop the Central division of the NL with a record of 75 - 43, 12.5 games ahead of the 2nd place Cardinals, who won only one game yesterday. Theoretically, the Cubs and the Brewers play again tonight @ 8:05 p.m., but I'm not sure because I got it so very wrong yesterday. At least the Cubs knew when and where to show up. That makes it five in a row for the Cubs.

The Tigers didn't do so well, as they lost to the Royals 1 - 6. After the game, the announcers said that Justin Verlander pitched a great game. Say what? Verlander yielded three solo home runs to the Royals en route to that loss. Miguel "Miggy" Cabrara has a left biceps strain which limited his ability to provide any real offensive firepower. The other Tigers' hitters didn't contribute much either in this AL Central game. The Tigers now have a 2nd place record of 63 - 56, now a full six games behind the Indians, who won. The Tigers play the Royals again tonight @ 7:10 p.m.

My beloved Red Sox defeated the Orioles by a final score of 5 - 3 last night. That moves the Sox into a tie for 2nd pace with the Orioles, whom they defeated. Mookie Betts hit another two home runs yesterday to make it seven home runs against the Orioles over the first five road games of the season which the Sox have played against the Orioles. The Sox still have five games to play in Baltimore's Camden Yards this season. Mookie is everything that you could ask for in an outfielder and more.

 http://m.redsox.mlb.com/news/article/195911500/mookie-betts-has-seven-homers-at-camden-yards//

Not to be outdone, Dustin Pedroia contributed this outstanding defensive play from his second base position.

http://m.redsox.mlb.com/news/article/195913146/dustin-pedroia-makes-amazing-diving-grab/

The Sox are on a hot streak and they look to sweep the Orioles tonight @ 7:05 p.m.

The Caps are on a serious slide, as they fell to the Lake County Captains by a score of 4 - 3. That drops the Caps into 5th place in the MWL East with a record of 22 - 27. Since the playoffs are based on a combination of the first and second half win/loss records, I am officially worried now. As I noted earlier, Mary and I will be @ Fifth-Third Ballpark on Sunday when the Caps face the Dayton Dragons @ 1:00 p.m.

Otherwise, I spent part of the day walking with STWD and then doing some yard work along with some indoor chores after we returned from my orthopedic appointment. Between that walk to the hospital, the morning safari, the yard work, and the trip downtown, I walked the equivalent of nearly six miles yesterday. Mary kept busy in the kitchen trying to find the bottom after her cooking activities the night before. I contributed to that kitchen activity by emptying the dishwasher. We did have a great dinner of roast beest sandwiches. Mary plans to add her beest recipe to her personal cookbook now that she feels as though she has the recipe just the way she wants it.

As noted, we walked downtown to send a book back to the online e-tailer that wasn't what Mary had hoped it would be. I have an allergy to sesame.seeds/sesame oil, the main ingredient in tahini, which the majority of the recipes required.

We stopped at the Post before continuing on to Central Park for that aforementioned concert. Good news, Sally is home to continue her recovery from her recent health issues.

Last evening, Mary discovered that the basic knitting of her afghan is now complete. She now has to put all of the pieces together into the finished afghan. Like me, she doesn't like finishing projects, instead enjoying the joy of the journey versus the finished product.

We have no plans for today, so we may stay in bed until noon and enjoy our first day with nothing to do this week. Retirement can be so busy.

After that, we will be taking the morning safari with the intrepid one. Sugar can be very accommodating when necessary. The sun will rise @ 6:53 a.m. and set @ 8:43 p.m.

We have a current temperature of 70° under clear skies that may see scattered T-storms with a 60% chance and a high temperature of 80° later this morning. Saturday has an 80% chance of more T-storms per the NWS. So it will be a game-time decision about watering the gardens of the PE. Ciao.