Good morning or good evening, wherever you may be. It is just past 3:30 a.m. in "The City."

My thanks to all of the friends and family who offered their special wishes on my 65th birthday yesterday. I had a wonderful time, and although I didn't mention it before, Mary and Sugar left a terrific card for me early yesterday morning. Here are some pictures of that card and the sentiments they expressed. Sugar isn't verbal, after all, she is a dog, but Mary translated Sugar's thoughts just fine. I love them and all of you who shared my special day with me. Now it is time to get on with my 66th year and the enjoyment that comes with the chance to learn new things each day.

In keeping with my wishes, Mary did make the requested spaghetti roll casserole for my dinner, and it was as awesome as I remembered. However, we decided that we'd had such a busy day, that we could and would spread out the festivities over a few days. So, the devil's food cake with buttercream icing will be made today or tomorrow.

My birthday meal started in this over 40-year-old shower gift that Mary received before our wedding day. Our 43rd anniversary comes up on Thursday, September 1. 

A picture really can't do the spaghetti roll casserole justice, but I loved it and the cook.

Unfortunately, the process of creating my special dinner did leave a mess in Mary's kitchen. She did most of the cleanup, and I finished the balance earlier this morning. 

That being said, I also had wished to go to JWs for some adult beverages and O-rings for a pre-dinner appetizer. While there, I learned that JWs also gives a free dessert to people having a birthday. So, I selected a slice of Key-lime pie for carry out. I ate it while watching the Cubs game and it was as savory and delicious as I'd hoped. JWs makes all of their desserts on site. Let me just say, WOW!

What a great way to segue into the sports report from my birthday.

The Cubs downed the Pirates by a final score of 3 - 0 in an NL Central game last night. That gives the Cubs an overall division leading record of 84 - 47, 37 games over .500 and a full 14 games ahead of the 2nd place Cardinals and 16.5 games ahead of the 3rd place and losing Pirates. Anthony Rizzo hit a home run with a man on in support of a superb pitching effort by Kyle Hendricks. His ERA is down to 2.09 and he is receiving Cy Young mention. As the lowest paid member of the Cubs' starting rotation, if he wins the Cy Young, the sky may be the limit. The Cubs and the Pirates face each other again tonight @ 8:05 p.m.

I'd be remiss if I didn't mention that a Cubs win and the season they are having is perhaps the best birthday gift I could have received, outside of all the love I got yesterday. No June Swoon, a full 37 games over .500, and a likely World Series™ appearance. To borrow from that Old Milwauke™ beer commercial from the early 1990s:
"It doesn't get any better than this!" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtnMtrEB1-I

Perhaps the next best thing is knowing that the Tigers upended that other team from Chicago by a final score of 8 - 4 in an AL Central game yesterday. That victory still finds the Tigers in 2nd place with a record of 71 - 61, 4.5 games behind the Indians who also won. The Tigers and that other team play today @ 1:10 p.m.

Sadly, my beloved Red Sox fell to the Rays 3 - 4 in an AL East game yesterday. The Sox were winning until the 8th when they snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. That loss gives the Sox an overall record of 73 - 59, 2.0 games behind the Blue Jays, who also lost. Good news, though, that other team from Chicago has an AL East 4th place record of 63 - 68, 7.5 games in back of the Sox. The Red sox and the Rays pay again today @ 1:35 p.m.

The Caps were off yesterday, but they play the South Bend Cubs tonight @ 7:00 p.m. The South Bend Cubs are the Caps playoff opponent starting on September 7, coincident with Adam's birthday.

What else happened yesterday? Our new bed was partially delivered. We learned that the new mattress would have to be superseded by one that hinges to make the bend up the stairs, through the less than tall enough doors, and around the corners. That replacement mattress will be delivered on Thursday. We did get to keep the box springs until then.

As I noted earlier, the day got away from both of us yesterday. Mary finished the revisions on an index and chatted while I finished most of the crosswords from the Grand Haven Tribune that I have been trying to complete. During the morning safari, we picked up the latest edition that I will hopefully complete today after today's morning safari with the intrepid one and after another session of watering the gardens of the PE. We may or may not go to Holland today. That will be a game-time decision. If not, I plan to play with the girls, start another novel, and finish some work in the man-cave.

Mary has plenty to keep her busy too. She needs some additional knitting needles to complete my new winter hat in MSU colors. Plus, she is in the process of organizing her stash of craft/sewing/knitting projects. My valances and pillow cover are on this week's agenda for her too.

The current temperature is 71° and today's high is forecast to be 80° with 63% relative humidity. Tomorrow through Saturday, the high temperatures are forecast to be in the mid 70°s accompanied by lower humidity.

If we feel ambitious, tonight is the final "Dancing on the Grand" for the season, so that may or may not also be part of today's activities.

The sun will rise today @ 7:08 a.m. and set @ 8:20 p.m. Ciao.