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

I was outside with GTTSD @ 2:20 ayem and the T-storms that were in the forecast from the NWS for later today were not in evidence. In spite of that forecast, the skies were more clear than partly cloudy. I guess that the only hope I have is that the current forecast for T-storms between now and 6:00 ayem comes to fruition. I just heard the first rumblings of thunder @ 3:30 ayem, so maybe. The current temperature is a very comfortable 68° and the roads are quiet here in GH. That is always true at this hour of the morning. The only cars on the road are from late-night revelers or workers heading home. So, I may or may not be watering in the vast gardens of the PE.

Yesterday was a four-win day for my teams.

The Cubs defeated their NL Central rivals, the St. Louis Cardinals, by a final score of 5 - 3. All of those runs came courtesy of home runs by Javier Baez, a solo shot, and Kyle Schwarber, a Grand Slam. Those homers put the Cubs over the top en route to their victory and a 27 - 27 record.  One day earlier, a pundit had suggested that Schwarber should be sent down to the minors for some additional coaching. That may still be true, but perhaps being moved to the 9th spot in the batting order by manager Joe Maddon helped. It will be day to day.  The Cubs and the Cardinals play again tonight @ 7:55 p.m.

The Tigers once again stuffed that other team from Chicago by a final score of 10 - 1. The Tigers are almost even up in the AL Central division with a 27 - 28 record, good enough for 3rd place. The Tigers and that other team play again today @ Comerica Park @ 1:10 p.m.

My beloved Red Sox once again defeated the Orioles @ Fenway Park, this time by a score of 5 - 2 in their AL Central matchup. The Sox have a record of 30 - 25, good enough for 2nd place. They play the Orioles again today @ 1:35 p.m.

The Caps had a nice game in the MWL East with a win over the Lansing Lug Nuts by a score of 7 - 3. The Caps now have an overall record of 38 - 17 and a three-game lead over the 2nd place Dayton Dragons. The Caps and the Lug Nuts play this afternoon @ 1:00 p.m.

Elsewhere, we walked the fur-children and then worked in the vast gardens of the PE. Mary directed and I planted her climbing vine, which I have subsequently learned is named Major Wheeler. The people at The City Farmer tell us that Major Wheeler should do well with minimal care and full sun.

I spent some time in the man-cave yesterday preparing the new shelves for the pantry and then installing them. I think that they turned out great, but Mary needs to study them for a day or so to decide on the best way to organize the pantry with appliances and foodstuffs. I also cleaned up in the man-cave and tossed out some things that I would have saved in days gone by. This is another attempt @ the minimalist approach that Adam will appreciate. My part is done.

Mary prepared an extraordinary beest and then a batch of barbecue sauce that she used as part of the marinade for her latest batch of vegan jerky made from that beest. I like the taste, but she thinks she used too much cayenne pepper. I think Adam would like this batch too.

John is having trouble with the fuel pump in his truck, so he never made it back yesterday to finish his floor work. I know that the pump is in the fuel tank and requires dropping an empty tank to replace that pump. I also know it is a difficult job from experience in another life. I don't often miss that part of my life. However, there is a 1971 Chevrolet Monte Carlo near here that is in apparently mint condition, which would make a great project car if I had the stamina of that other life too. Sigh.

Today, we have no plans to speak of and that is fine by me. A short walk with the fur-children, some playing with the girls, and some time in the kitchen.

I am hearing rain drops outside the WW and feeling the wind blowing through the WW too, so there is a front coming through. One can only hope. I haven't checked, but I'm betting that STWD is cowering in her upstairs hide-e-hole as she senses that change in the force.

The sun will rise in a few hours @ 6:06 ayem and set @ 9:20 p.m. Ciao.