Good morning or good evening, wherever you may be, across the nation and across the world. It is just after 6:00 a.m. in "The City."

We have a current temperature of 63º under clear skies. With a wind-speed of 3 mph, it feels like 63º.

No rain last night, and we have a 5% chance for additional precipitation today, so I"ll be watering once again.

The sun will rise @ 6:33 a.m. and set later @ 9:07 p.m.

There is a Beach Hazard Statement in effect for Ottawa, Allegan, and Van Buren counties. High wave action, strong currents, and dangerous swimming conditions can be expected. Piers may be heavily swamped by waves, from this afternoon through late tonight. Strong currents can pull swimmers into deeper water and high waves can sweep people off piers. Northerly winds upwards of 25 mph will create 3 to 4 foot waves along the lakeshore at beaches from Grand Haven and south. The worst conditions of 3 to 5-foot waves will occur from 4 p.m. this afternoon through sunset at the North Beach in South Haven and at Holland State Park. People are strongly encouraged to remain out of the water to avoid hazardous swimming conditions and should not venture out on piers. Ya think?

In addition, there is a Small Craft Advisory in effect from 2:00 p.m. this afternoon until 2:00 a.m. tomorrow. North winds of 15 to 25 knots with gusts up to 30 knots and waves 3 to 5 feet can be expected from St Joseph to Grand Haven. Conditions will be hazardous to small craft. Inexperienced mariners, especially those operating smaller vessels, should avoid navigating in hazardous conditions.

I am going to truncate the baseball news in order to save time and space, well also to avoid the grisly details of the 4 - 2 Cubs' debacle in Cincinnati, where the Cubs fell to the 2 - 4 Reds, as RHP Kyle Hendricks was lit up and former Tigers and Cubs OF, Nick Castellanos, got a grand slam home run en route to the Cub's 7 - 12 loss. Today the unreliable $126 man, RHP Yu Darvish, hopes to do better @ 6:40 p.m. EDT.

My beloved 2 - 4 Red Sox ended their skid when they eked out a win over the 3 - 3 Mets, 6 - 5. The Sox hope that this will be the first of many wins as they once again face the Mets tonight @ 7:07 p.m. EDT.

The surprising 4 - 2 Tigers used another home run by JaCoby Jones to get a win over the 2 - 4 Royals, 5 - 4. Tonight @ 7:10 p.m. EDT, the Tigers once again go against the Royals in what may be one of the few games remaining in the current season. The entire season may deserve an asterisk when this is all over.

Oops, not very truncated, was that?

I baked that apple pie yesterday, and if I do say so myself, it turned out great. However, Mary concurs, so I don't have to say so myself. In her role as our Senior Staff Photographer, she took this picture of the first pie I have baked in a long time, once again vegan and from scratch. I was ably assisted by my loyal sous dogs, STWD and Ginger, who behaved herself very well and allowed me my space to work as she stayed in her space. STWD already knows the program.

No comment, except that it is delicious!

Otherwise, I vacuumed the manse and worked a crossword puzzle. I didn't get any reading done, but I did sit and play with Lorelei yesterday morning. I am getting better at the alternative fingerings required by a baritone ukulele.

Mary prepared both meals using some leftovers and some newly prepared fare. In both cases, I liked them. We also completed one episode of Downton Abbey and watched another entire episode. I am liking this program, but then I always like period pieces.

Today, that aforementioned watering is the only item on my agenda. Mary has nothing specific of which I am aware. Ciao.