Good morning or good evening, wherever you may be, across the nation and across the world. It is just past 6:30 a.m. in "The City."

In spite of my original intentions yesterday, I spent some time in the kitchen doing what I like, cooking. I've always enjoyed that activity, and now that I have plenty of time, even more so. While I only have a few things that I like to call my "specialties", I find the activity soothing and perhaps cathartic in a way. Naturally, STWD was upstairs asleep, so I had to rely on my official Sous Terrier, Ginger, for her assistance in clean up. Her invaluable assistance was appreciated.

I made vegan Italian burgers, vegan Bratwursts, and with some assistance, Cole slaw. In addition, I did the majority of the indoor chores too. I was a busy beaver.

Today, I hope to slow the pace a bit. There are things I'd like to get to, but they can wait. Between the Covid-19 isolation and retirement, I have plenty of time. 

Mary did the real heavy lifting at her desk upstairs, navigating through the myriad possibilities for a visit to the big-box nearly everything store this afternoon and also perusing our banking website to make sure that we are paying everything as we should, but not being overcharged. 

I find that I can live without the constant barrage of sensory input caused by the TV news media. Of course, that applies to our inability to watch network TV too, due to the over abundance of political ads that contradict each other one right after another. We are stuck in limbo here in MI due to our being a state that can decide the election in a few weeks. 

I didn't listen to the 32 - 23 Cubs lose to the 16 - 39 Pirates last night, but the Cubs backed into the post-season, as the Nationals defeated the Phillies. Even though the Cardinals defeated the hapless Royals last night, they remain in 2nd place in their division, 3.5 games behind the Cubs. 

The Cubs send RHP Kyle Hendricks, 6 - 4, to the mound tonight @ 7:05 p.m. EDT.

My beloved 21 - 34 Red Sox snuffed the 23 - 32 Orioles last night, as newly acquired RHP Nick Pivetta, 1 - 0 made his first start for the Sox. He fanned eight en route to the win. He may be a big part of next year's team if he can continue his winning ways. The Sox and the Orioles play out the string tonight @ 7:30 p.m. when the Sox send RHP Nathan Eovaldi to the mound. 

The 22 -31 Tigers took extra innings last night, but they lost to the 34 - 22 Twins, 4 - 5. However, interim manager Lloyd McLendon, hopes to remove the interim tag as he auditions for the role of the regular Tigers' manager, as he sends rookie RHP Casey Mize, 0 - 2 to the mound in search of his first big-league win tonight @ 7:40 p.m. EDT.

We had a totally pleasant day weather-wise yesterday. Scattered clouds dotted the azure-blue sky and the temperature was as fall-like as you could hope. We never got out with the fur-children, but maybe today.

The high temperature today is forecast by the NWS to be 72º with an overnight low of 61º. Right now the temperature is 58º and with the 2 mph wind, it feels like 58° with a bit of fog over the channel and the lakeshore.

Today, I hope to read more, play some music, do more puzzle solving, perform no kitchen activities and do no indoor chores. If I don't get out, I am okay with that. I do have to walk the trash and recycling bins to the curb later today, but that is the extent of my required activities.

Mary currently has plans to do that run to the store, but if she doesn't, that will be fine. She is enjoying reading time and she has just received a new adult coloring book on which to work. Of course, she can't get to that for a couple of days, due to concerns over the Covid-19 virus. 

The sun will rise today @ 7:34 a.m. and set later @ 7:39 p.m. Ciao.