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

Yesterday was a failure to communicate on the part of both the NWS and STWD. Although there was only a slight chance of showers/T-storms yesterday, I can attest that @ 6:00 a.m., STWD dashed into her hide-e-hole when the thunder and lightning began at that time. It continued for about two hours and contributed to two additional outcomes. First, I didn't have to water. Second, the humidity was high during the noon safari.

We have a current temperature of 64° - 69° under partly cloudy skies. Today, the humidity is supposed to be lower and the high temperature will be 77° under partly cloudy skies. There is a 50% chance of scattered T-storms on Saturday, and on Tuesday, my birthday.

Yesterday was another mixed day in sports news. The Cubs were off, but their lead in the NL Central increased to 14 games over the Cardinals, who lost. The Cubs will be in LA to play the Dodgers tonight @10:10 p.m.

The Tigers were cruising in their game against the Twins in the AL Central. The Tigers had a huge lead before relief pitcher Justin Wilson surrendered several runs in the bottom of the 8th. Tigers' catcher James McCann, had a great day at the plate, going 4 - 5, including a 3 run homer. Daniel Norris was great giving up two earned runs on six hits until he was removed for a relief pitcher after 6 1/3 innings. The win was a sweep of the feckless Twins.

Tigers' manager Brad Ausmus says that the bats are heating up on a team that is "Built to slug." The Tigers now have a record of 68 - 59, 4. 5 games ahead of the Indians who were crushed by the Rangers 0 - 9. Good timing, as the LA Angels are in town tonight @ 7:10 p.m. The also feckless Angels have an anemic 54 - 73 record in the AL West and they are going nowhere but home in the post-season.

My beloved Red Sox fell to 71 - 56 in the AL East with a 1 - 2 loss to the 54 - 72 Rays. Like the Cubs, the Sox often have difficulty against much weaker teams. Still, the Sox are tied with the Blue Jays with identical 1st place records of 71 -56,  one game ahead of the losing Orioles. The Sox play the Royals @ home tonight @ 7:10 p.m.

The Caps eked out a win over the South Bend Cubs 2 - 1 in an MWL East matchup. The SB Cubs are the Caps opponent in the playoffs starting in September. The Caps play @ Ft. Wayne against the TinCaps, game time 7:00 p.m.

We made it to the eye doctor yesterday afternoon to get my eyes checked. As I noted, I have been having trouble reading and seeing at a distance. I have only a slight change to my prescription, but the doctor noted that I am showing signs of age-related macular degeneration. So, we ordered some vitamins that are supposed to slow the progression of that degeneration. There is nothing that can be done at this time. In addition, my left eye has a slight cataract forming. I am getting some new glasses too.

Lunch yesterday was a sandwich of mashed chickpeas with a side of sweet potatoes. Dinner was what Mary says is the final form of her vegan beest. She made this one in the Crockpot™ but believes that the oven baked version is better. I don't know, I like the beest either way. She didn't make her superb mushroom gravy, but with Worchester sauce and horseradish, it was fine with me.

Today, the usual Friday chat for Mary, the usual visit to the chiropractor for both of us, and the usual morning safari with the intrepid STWD. I expect a train run today too.

The sun will rise @ 7:03 a.mm. and set @ 8:28 p.m. Ciao.