Good morning or good evening, wherever you may be. It is just past 3:45 a.m. in "The City." Yesterday, we decided that it was time to get Ginger to the groomer. Ginger is a terrier mix, so she is regularly in need of a bath and a trim. Unlike retrievers and other water dogs, Ginger doesn't shed and so she needs professional assistance to keep her looking her best.

Ginger arriving before grooming, a bit like the "Shaggy Dog" of Disney fame.

Same here.

This is Ginger after grooming. You can actually see her pretty face. She has a pink bandana around her neck and pink bows on her ears, courtesy of the groomer.

A close up of Ginger at home, resting after grooming. Still pretty, but without the pink bandana that the groomer added.

Sugar took the long walk with us to the groomer, but she preferred to stay at home when we picked up her sister later in the afternoon. On our way home, I stopped at the chiropractor's office a bit early and got my knees taped. They feel better already.

Once we were home, it was time for a quick lunch and then we were off once again to the land of big-box stores. We found most of what we wanted at our first stop and most of the balance at the second.
Unfortunately, polished brass shower curtain rings are no longer in vogue, so we haven't yet found what we desire. Where is Del Griffith when you need him?

In sports news, the Cubs had a major system fail last night. In this game, John Lackey was never the dominant pitcher of last season, and it took some effort just to stay tied. Albert Almora Jr. nailed a two-RBI double in the bottom of the 2nd to tie the game, but that lasted only until the top of the 3rd when the Brewers once again pulled ahead, 4 - 3, this time to stay. Freak plays and missed throws led to two additional runs by the Brew Crew in the bottom of the 8th and so the final score was 6 - 3, Brewers.

That loss dropped the Cubs' NL Central to 6 - 7 and a third place standing, one game behind the Brewers and the one and one-half games behind the Cincinnati Reds. The next game for the Cubs and the Brewers is tonight @ 7:05 p.m. CDT.

The Tigers had the day off as they prepared to meet the Rays in Tampa Bay. The Tigers still lead the AL Central with their 8 - 4 record. They play tonight @ 7:10 p.m. EDT.

My beloved Red Sox had to play hard, but the four runs they scored early in their game against the Rays held up for a 4 - 3 victory. The Sox have a solid 8 - 5 record in the AL East, but they still trail the hated Yankees and the Orioles to reside in 3rd place in the AL East. Next, up for the Sox, a 7:07 p.m. start against the woeful Toronto Blue Jays as the Sox leave Fenway for the north country. I'm hoping for another win by the beloved.

The Caps took 13 innings to eke out a win over the Ft. Wayne, IN TinCaps 3 - 2. Sadly, the Caps MWL East record of 6 - 5 ties them with two other teams and leaves them all one game behind the 1st place Dayton Dragons and Lansing Lugnuts. The Caps play again tonight in Ft. Wayne @ 7:05 p.m.

The weather is cool but pleasant, with a current temperature of 48° under partly cloudy skies according to my DTWS and my personal observation when I was outside with the fur-children @ 2:30 a.m. Today's high is forecast to reach 70° with a 0% chance of showers and partly cloudy skies. Wednesday afternoon, the NWS is forecasting a 30% chance of showers that increases to 90% by Thursday. After that, we will see temperatures in the upper 50s until Wednesday, April 26, when the forecast calls for a permanent return to the mid-60s and above.

Today, I plan to place more pieces in my jigsaw puzzle after the morning safari with the fur-children. I am taking a few days off from the girls to allow my overworked wrists to recover from our strenuous jam last Saturday. I'd like to read more too if time permits.

Mary will be washing and sewing the fabric for our sink apron in the mudroom, knitting, cooking leftovers, and listening to an estimate from a person whom Mary would like to do a deep-cleaning on the manse.

The sun will rise @ 6:57 a.m. and set @ 8:31 p.m. Ciao.