Good morning or good evening, wherever you may be. It is just before 3:00 a.m. in "The City."

I'll start this short blog with birthday wishes for my son, Adam. He is north of 40 and that makes me north of 60. But that's okay by me. It seems like only yesterday that he and I were traveling the countryside in our Chevrolet Blazer on one of my two days off per week. He was just a baby then, but he was as cute as a button.

We traveled while Mary slept in from her late-night job. I think we had a good time, but I can't speak for Adam. Later in life, we played games of basketball in the driveway as we attempted to emulate Jordan and Bird as they shot the ball from places unknown. Still later, we traveled by bicycle to DeKalb, IL where Adam was matriculating at NIU. We called those our personal Tour de Kalb. Never before nor since have gas station sub sandwiches tasted so good at the end of a ride. We'll never forget those mosquitoes that appeared out of nowhere when I had a flat tire. Of course, no visit to DeKalb would be complete without a stop at Paglia's Pizza, AKA "Pags" for some pizza and crusts. What can I say, I/we loved it.

But onward I go. I was out with Ginger around 1:30 a.m. and the skies were cloudy but no rain was falling. We had some rain earlier in the day, but that only lasted a short time. We are anticipating a high today of 64 very fall-like degrees with an 80% chance for showers/t-storms. This forecast from the NWS always comes with the caveat that things in GH are rarely what the NWS forecasts due to the presence of the "Big Lake." Later this morning, the sun will rise @  7:16 a.m. and set tonight @ 8:08 p.m.

Speaking of today, I have an appointment for further P/T this morning followed by a haircut. Later this evening, we have plans to go to the library to hear renowned Irish musician, Dave Curley. He plays solo and with a band called Slide. Here are two songs, the first from Mr. Curley and the second from Mr. Curley and Slide. The first one is called Drift Away, the second, with Slide, is called Roger the Miller. I hope you enjoy them.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wiw3mRA70Nw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bH1YtH0ieew

Elsewhere, the day in sports was 3/4 good. The Cubs eked out a win over the Pirates, 1 - 0 on a RBI triple from Alex Avila. Starting pitcher, Jose Quintana, pitched well, but the win went to one of his relievers, Pedro Strop. The Cubs are now sporting a1st place in the NL Central record of 76 - 83 and lead the 2nd place Cardinals by 4.0 games and the 3rd place Brewers by 4.5 games. The Cubs and the Pirates play again tonight @ 7:05 p.m.

My beloved Red Sox had a solid win over the Bluejays yesterday in the AL East,  6 - 1. That gives the Sox a record of 79 - 61 and a 4.0 game lead over the Yankees. The Sox are off today before facing the Rays on Friday @ 7:10 p.m.

The Tigers were drubbed by the woeful Royals, in their AL Central game, 2 - 13 to stay firmly mired in 4th place, just a scant 4.5 games ahead of the 5th place team, that other team from Chicago. The Tigers are off today before they travel to Toronto for a Friday night game against the Bluejays @ 7:07 p.m.

The Caps are in the quarter finals of the MWL playoffs, starting with a best of three game playoff. The Caps took game one from the Dayton Dragons, 3 - 2 in Dayton. The two teams come to Fifth/Third Ballpark for a game tonight @ 7:00 p.m.

We didn't get much accomplished yesterday but that is fine by me. We did go to our book club meeting and then to JWs for a quick series of adult beverages. Home to watch the coverage of the storms that are ravaging the Leeward Islands and the US south and southeast. I then was off to try to catch up on my sleep.

Mary stayed downstairs to do some cross-stitch and watch the dystopian reality that we now live in.

Since I've already covered my activities for today, I'll just say Ciao.