Good morning or good evening, wherever you may be. It is just past 11:00 p.m. in "The City."

Well, I got out today in order to visit the big-box home center and also to put gas in the old buggy. That followed a good night's rest in my media room La-Z-Boy. I'd prefer the bed, but until I can sort out the issues with my baking yak, I can't lay down for more than a few brief moments.

Fortunately, I do have an appointment scheduled for a sedated MRI next Friday in Muskegon to see what's going on with my yak. Until then, I have to take my rest/sleep wherever and whenever I can get it. I'm not really complaining as there are people a lot worse off than me.

We have a current temperature of 42° that feels like 37° as we head for today's high of 45° while the rain/sleet of today abates tomorrow. The sun will rise tomorrow @ 8:15 a.m. and set @ 6:40 p.m.

Sports today was a great mix of good college football and World Series baseball. The Wolverines of Michigan defeated the Scarlet Knights of Rutgers, 35 -14 as freshman QB Brandon Peters came into the game and took charge. I hope I saw the future of Wolverines football.

The Spartans of MSU didn't fare so well as they dropped a game to the Wildcats of Northwestern in the 3rd OT period, 31 -39. The usually stellar Spartan's defense was stymied by the offense of the Wildcats, dropping the Spartans to 3rd place in the Big 10, behind Penn State and Ohio State.

The Huskies of NIU eked out a win last Thursday over the Eastern Michigan Eagles, 30 - 27 in DeKalb. The Huskies take the field again next Thursday against the Toledo Rockets.

Otherwise, not much is happening. I have been in the kitchen doing some cooking and baking and tomorrow, I hope to do more. We have a book club meeting coming up next Wednesday for which I will be baking some sort of sweet treat. I don't yet know what that will be. I finished the book for our next meeting and now I am reading a book by John LeCarre entitled A Legacy of Spies. If you are into his works, you'll like this one which is taking us back and forth through time.

I did make vegan meatballs early last week and they turned out great. An entirely new recipe that will be memorialized in our own vegan recipe book.

Mary is still working on our Christmas tree skirt, but, she is heading into the home stretch so to speak. I anticipate being able to add her efforts to our decorations this year.

John has been hard at work refinishing some of the doors both upstairs and down. I like his work as he is meticulous and takes his time.

The fur-children have been their usual selves. Ginger is being very sweet as she spends part of the night with me in the media room and part of the night with Mary in the boudoir. I guess you could call Ginger an equal opportunity snuggler.

I guess that wraps things up except for a short and heartfelt thanks to Mary for persisting over my objections and complaints. Like I've said before, right now, is is the worst part of the vows. I'm glad that she is able to force me to do what I should do when I should do it. I am lousy at feeling ill. Ciao.

P.S. Get well John P.