Good morning or good evening, wherever you may be, across the nation and across the world. It is just past 4:00 a.m. in "The City."

To paraphrase Erich Maria Remarque, from his novel, All Quiet on the Western Front, things are quiet here in W. Michigan, at least weather-wise. The NWS in GR is reporting a current temperature of 69° under cloudy-skies. Also according to the NWS in GR, today's high will reach 83°, albeit with reduced humidity and no storm alerts in the forecast. The Weather Window One Report from my weather office/art studio/music room/business office shows higher current temperatures, however, the view out the WW corresponds with the forecast that is showing no additional rain this morning and for several more days. The sun will rise @ 6:24 a.m. and set later @ 9:17 p.m.

We had an interesting day yesterday. I was packed and ready to go to my monthly Irish Jam Session @ the library. Since the weather was iffy, my roadie, Mary, volunteered to drop me off after we had visited the farmer's market for some fresh vegetables. We were on schedule, but when we arrived at the library, the doors were locked and there was a sign on the doors that indicated the the library was closed due to "Technical Difficulties." No further information was available, so we continued our trip to the grocery store to replenish our larders. That part of our outing went fine, as did our stop at the nearby nationally recognized pharmacy chain. Home to greet the fur-children, before continuing with our plans to go north for some craft items.

That part of our plan was thwarted by the inclement weather that forced the postponement of the game between the West Michigan WhiteCaps and the Wisconsin Tiber Rattlers. Those teams will play two today, beginning @ 2:05 p.m.

The 1st place in the NL Central Cubs, tried to give the game away yesterday, as Jose Quintana served up several gopher balls. However, the heroics of Javier Baez at the plate and in the field, provided the Cubs with a 6 - 5 win over the 5th place in the NL West Padres. The Cubs and the Padres play again today @ 2:20 p.m. EDT, as Kyle Hendricks takes the mound in an attempt to sweep the Padres.

My beloved, 3rd place in the AL East Red Sox, recovered from their loss on Friday to hammer the 5th place Orioles, 12 - 6, with Jackie Bradley Jr. getting 2 home-runs. Today's game @ 1:05 p.m. will feature Andrew Cashner on the mound trying for his first win in a Red Sox uniform.

The 5th place in the AL Central Tigers, once again managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory, after a rain delay that took starting pitcher Dan Norris out of the game and put Gregory Soto on the mound. He served up a Grand-Slam home-run and the almost as bad, 4th place Blue Jays, went on to win the game, 7 - 5. Once again, the Tigers will try to win a game @ 1:10 p.m. today, when Kyle Alexander takes the ball from Tigers manager Ron Gardenhire.

We had a great dinner last night, as Mary made one of my favorite dishes, vegan green bean casserole, using the fresh green beans that we had purchased @ the farmer's market early yesterday afternoon. I think the use of fresh versus frozen green beans made the casserole better, but as Mary pointed out, fresh green beans are not available much of the year. Sigh.

Today, not much on tap. Reading of books and the weekend edition of the Grand Haven Tribune, are on our agenda. No need to water the vast gardens after yesterday's heavy rainfall. Ciao.