Good morning or good evening, wherever you may be, across the nation and across the world. It is just past 4:30 a.m. in "The City.

A current temperature of 69° under partly-cloudy skies will lead to a high temperature later today of 81°, also under partly-cloudy skies. The Relative Humidity Index, (RHI), should make today a bit more palatable to the average Michigander and also to the tourists. Once the sun rises in the East, about two hours from now, @ 6:12 a.m., and long before it sets into the West @ 9:26 p.m., we'll have a very pleasant day for outdoor activities. As the day wears on, the visitors who enjoyed GH over the extended 4th of July weekend, will be departing and going home happy.

Speaking of happy, 1/2 of my baseball teams were/are. The 47 - 42, in 1st place by 1/2 game over the Brewers in the NL Central, look to sweep that 41 - 44, 3rd place in the AL Central, other team from Chicago, as Kyle Hendricks takes the mound @ 2:10p.m. EDT for the Cubs. After today's game, the Cubs and all of the teams in the Major Leagues™ will be enjoying some time off/rest for the Major League All-Star Break™.

Speaking of which, Cubs' catcher, Willson Contreras, will be the first Cubs' backstop to start an All-Star Game since Gabby Hartnett in 1937. Hartnett was considered the quintessential player at his position, catcher, even into the 21st Century! He may best be remembered for being behind the plate when Babe Ruth supposedly called his home-run in the 1932 World Series™, between the Cubs and the Yankees. He may also be remembered for his "Homer in the Gloamin" in a game against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1938, as the Cubs chased the Prates. That was during his stint as a player/manager for the Cubs.

My beloved, 48 - 41, 3rd place in the AL East Red Sox, waited once again for hours as the rains fell in Detroit. Once the game commenced, the 28 - 56, 4th place in the AL Central Tigers, tried for a comeback, but the Sox and a resurgent Andrew Benintendi, who went four for five, took the game, 10 - 6. The Sox and the Tigers are scheduled to play again today @ 1:10 p.m.

The now, 7 - 9, 6th place in the 2nd half of the MWL East season, West Michigan WhiteCaps, were drubbed by the 1st place, 12 - 4, Bowling Green Hot Rods, 4 - 12. The Caps were never in the game. Sigh. Those two teams go again today @ 3:05 p.m.

Collectively, we made two things in the kitchen yesterday, I successfully crafted a terrific Cole slaw from a new recipe, once Mary returned from the Farmer's Market with the cabbage. While she was out, I also made a vegan roast beest that became part of lunch along with that Cole slaw. I can honestly say that this Cole slaw recipe is a keeper.

Later, after we returned from some errands to pick up some 1/2 off things from Jo-Ann Fabrics™, and some hardware items at the big-box home center in Norton Shores, Mary made lasagna for dinner. That too was excellent. I did my part, washing up the dishes and emptying the dishwasher a while ago.

STWD is being weird, surprise, as she is eschewing eating in the morning. Her appetite is fine, but I think she is still traumatized by the 4th of July pyrotechnics. That, or she is just being weird. Ginger is her usual unflappable self.

Today, I may go to a movie to round out the holiday weekend. I am considering seeing Rocket Man, the story of Sir Elton John. If I do, I will be enjoying a humongous bucket of  popcorn and a ginormous cherry-cola. Mary will enjoy more time to read and do some indoor chores.

I wanted to mention, that our tomatoes and tomatillos are producing fruit, but that our green peppers are lagging. Ciao.