Good morning or good evening, wherever you may be. It is just past 7:00 a.m. in "The City."

I guess that good morning part is totally dependent upon your viewpoint. I stayed up past my bedtime this morning to watch the slow demise of the Cubs' 2018 season. Sadly, Cubs' manager, Joe Maddon, threw everything at the game. But alas, the season that started with so much promise during spring training, ended like a slow leak in a balloon. The air leaked out slowly, but inexorably, as the Cubs fell to the Rockies, 1 - 2 in the Wild Card game. Now it really is, "Wait til next year" time.

What's a Die Hard Cubs fan to do? In my case, root for their beloved Red Sox to win it all, starting with the ALDS on Friday @ 7:32 p.m. However, once a Die Hard Cubs fan has had his/her appetite whetted after 116 years, she/he goes away with a biter aftertaste after a disappointing season like this one, a sense about what might have been in 2018. Next year is here, and it is up to Cubs President, Theo Epstein, Executive VP and GM, Jeb Hoyer, and field manager, Joe Maddon, to assess what happened, or didn't, and what to do to get the Cubs back to the World Series in 2019.

I have a few suggestions for them.

First, sign perennial All-Star and probable NL MVP Javier Baez, to a long-term contract. Second, give up on Jason Heyward. He may be a tremendous defensive outfielder, but he can't hit in the clutch. Third, say thank-you and goodbye to SS Addison Russell and trade him if he comes back to the Major-League club. Fourth, say adios to left-handed relief-pitcher Justin Wilson. He couldn't get himself out the way he is pitching. I know that good left-handed relievers are hard to come by, but he isn't good. There is a reason that the Tigers were willing to trade him to the Cubs. Fifth, decide what position Kris Bryant will play, third-base, left-field, or right-field, and let him stay there. And last, but certainly not least, go get a solid starting pitcher, no matter the cost to shore up a weak starting rotation. I hope that Yu Darvish comes back healthy But right now, he looks like a bad investment of $126 million! Sure, it is easy to say those things from the outside looking in, but as a Die-Hard fan of more than 60 years, I feel entitled.

Oh well, on to the more mundane activities of daily living. The sun will rise today @ 7:44 a.m. and set later @ 7:22 p.m. In between, the NWS is forecasting a 40% chance for scattered T-storms today and 90% tonight. In addition, the NWS has also forecast windy-conditions for today with gusts from 20mph to 30mph. Whew!

I spent some time in the kitchen yesterday making sausages and another version of my famous chocolate-chip cookies. I used a recipe that Mary found on the Internet for those, and when I say that these cookies are delicious, that is an understatement. Our History Book Club will be very pleased.

I started and finished some indoor chores yesterday. I have more to do today. A woman may work from sun to sun, but a man's work is never done. : - )

Otherwise, today, we have walks with the fur-children and a crossword puzzle to finish before our meeting. Mary will be making something for lunch after we rise at a later hour. Ciao.