Good morning or good evening, wherever you may be. It is just past 5:00 a.m. in "The City."

I got up around 3:00 a.m. to let Ginger out and she obliged by doing her duty. I then washed the pots and pans along with the dishes and before I knew it, it was 4:00 a.m.

The internet speed still stinks. I don't care what the speed test is showing, the results of actual usage are less than stellar. If I call the cable provider, they'll send someone out and that technician will tell me that everything is working fine. Yes, I've rebooted, several times.

That reminds me of the sweating A/C technician who came to our first quadro-minium when we couldn't get the place to cool down. With sweat pouring down his cheeks, he too told me that everything was working as it should. Yes, and shortly thereafter, I saw a pig fly by the window. .

But I digress once again. We have a current temperature of 63° per both the NWS and my own DTWS. Later today, the high is forecast to reach 72° with 72% relative humidity. That will make it feel warmer than 72°. Hmmm, lots of 72s in that sentence. Just saying. The sun will rise in less than one hour @ 6:07 a.m. and set later @ 9:18 p.m. To borrow from that old song by Spanky and Our Gang, Lazy Day, released in 1967, "Blue skies, sunshine, what a day to take a walk in the park." And just because I like old rock and roll, here is that song as found on YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=au2mnuG6gik

What the hey, since I am in a Spanky and Our Gang mood, here is another of their songs from the 1960s I'd Like to Get to Know You.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvMCM7Db23g, 

Again, courtesy YouTube.

Okay, just one more, I promise. Sunday Will Never Be The Same, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wqw1MGEHKNE Once again, courtesy YouTube. Hope you like all three and this short blast from the past.

But I'm digressing, also again. : - )

Yesterday, we accomplished quite a bit. Mary made a great brunch of  "Fakin' Bacon" and toast with blueberry preserves. Later, she signed up for Medicare and the appropriate supplemental policies. She also did some gardening. I finally finished that front-porch railing and if I must say so myself, it looks great and is once again sturdy. I too did some gardening. The fur-children got to and from their grooming appointments without incident, although they were very tired when they got home. STWD looks better and Ginger looks like another dog entirely.

Baseball news was 5/50, .500, etc.

The 31 - 23, 2nd place by only three games to the 1st place 36 - 22 Brewers, Cubs, defeated the Mets, again, 7 - 4 on the strength of the second straight three-hit game off the bat of 37 year old Ben Zobrist, and a three-run home run off the bat of Kyle Schwarber. In addition, although he didn't get the win, starting pitcher, Tyler Chatwood lasted 5 1/3 innings and looked much improved. The Cubs and the Mets play again tonight @ 7:15 p.m. when Mike Montgomery takes the mound.

My beloved, 39 - 19, now 2nd in the AL East by .5 games behind the Yankees, fell to the 37 - 22, 1st in the AL West Astros last night, 3 - 7. Mookie Betts went on the 10-Day disabled list with that muscle strain and the Sox will continue to miss his hitting and defense. Worthy of note is that former Tiger J.D. Martinez got his 19th home run and Mitch Moreland also got a dinger. Sadly, starting pitcher, Chris Sale was off his game and the Astros capitalized. Tonight, the Sox send David Price to the mound against Astros' ace, and also former Tiger, Justin Verlander, @ 7:15 p.m.

Speaking of the 27 - 30, 2nd in the AL Central Tigers, they really are on a roll as they took another game from the 25 - 32 and still hapless Blue Jays, 5 - 2. The Tigers and the Blue Jays play again today @ 4:10 p.m.

Sadly, the now 28 - 26, 3rd in the MWL East White Caps, were crushed by the 2nd place in that division, Bowling Green Hot Rods, 1 - 15. Starting and losing pitcher Jose Vasquez might like to think about what he'll be doing when his short-lived baseball career is over. The Caps and the Hot Rods once again face each other tonight @ 7:35 p.m.

Ginger and I did some trainspotting before she went to the groomer. At 8:53 a.m., we spotted MMRR locomotives 2019 and 2025 heading south towing a long-line of loaded cars that included, 18 CHCs, 13 DBTCs, five DWTCs, and four GTCs.

Later, @ 12:20 p.m., we spotted those some locomotives heading north towing 10 CHCs, and three DBTCs.

Today, we have nothing on tap that can't wait. Looks like a good day to finally help Mary with the math the sink-skirt and a walk with the fur-children. If the mood strikes, we may go to Hemlock Crossing for yet another try at one of their Wildflower Walks. Ciao.