Good morning or good evening, wherever you may be, across the nation and across the world. It is just past 3:30 a.m. in "The City."

Did you miss me? Probably not. But that's okay, because I needed the sleep more than you needed to read my blog. 

Since I missed a Saturday blog, let me state for the record that the 33 - 26 Cubs beat that 35 - 24 other team from Chicago Friday night, 10 - 0. However, last night's game had a much different outcome. Losing LHP Jon Lester, 3 - 3, was unable to hold the lead that a Kris Bryant Grand Slam in the top of the third inning gave the Cubs His homer was supposedly powered by the good luck chains he and teammate Anthony Rizzo were wearing. Those four runs were the last that the Cubs' would score as that other team answered with five runs of their own in the bottom of the frame and then two more later in the game. 

The Cubs backed into the NL Central Division title because the Brewers beat the Cardinals. We'll take it, but unless things change, the Cubs won't last long in the post-season. 

This afternoon's game features the stylings of rookie RHP Adbert Alzolay, 0 - 1, @  3:10 p.m. EDT.

My beloved 23 - 36 Red Sox pounced on the 35 - 24 Braves last night, 8 - 2, behind the superb pitching of rookies RHP Tanner Houck. 3 - 0. Houck struck out 10 to finish this shortened season with style. The Sox close out the 2020 season today @ 3:10 p.m. EDT, when RHP Nick Pivetta, 1 - 0 takes the mound for the beloved. 

On a possibly sad note, Jackie Bradley Jr. may be playing in his final game as a Red Sox outfielder. He will be a free agent afterwards. Will the Sox resign him? He may be too costly for a team that gave up on Mookie Betts last year. Time will tell.

The 23 - 34 Tigers, eked out a win in Kansas City last night over the 25 - 34 Royals, 4 - 3. with LHP Matthew Boyd flashing the form that the Tigers had hoped to see all year. Boyd is 3 - 7 with a 6.71 ERA. There's always that familiar, "Next Year" for the Tigers, who close out their disappointing 2020 season with a game today @ 1:10 p.m. when RHP Jordan Zimmerman, 0 - 0 makes the start. 

Yesterday's game saw the Tigers lose two players to injuries, necessitating catcher Austin Romine to take off the "Tools of ignorance" and move to first base for the balance of the game. He also had a good day at the plate. 

The current temperature is 69º under clear skies, It feels like 69º in spite of the 23 mph winds that have caused the NWS to issue a Beach Hazard Statement for Mason, Oceana, Ottawa, and Muskegon counties until 2:00 p.m. today. There is also a  Small Craft Advisory for that same time, from St. Joseph to Grand Haven. Winds of 15 to 25 knots and gusts to 35 knots will produce waves of four to seven feet in height. The surf will be up, much to the enjoyment of local surfers, but small craft should stay in port.

We went to the cemetery for a walkabout with the fur-children @ about 3:30 p.m. Friday afternoon, and as we traveled south on Sheldon Ave., three deer ran across the road directly in front of us. They aren't usually out at that hour. I think it has to do with the decreasing grazing area available to the deer population of GH. 

Yesterday, in spite of my original intentions. I repaired to the kitchen and baked another apple pie, my best to date. I say that with no brag, just the facts. It was such a great effort, pat, pat, pat, that I had our Senior Staff Photographer snap a pic with her Smart Phone camera.

Not just a pie, but an "Apple Pie."

I have only a few specialties, but pies are one of my best. 

Today, I may or may not watch the 2 - 0 Bears play the 0 - 2 Atlanta Falcons @ 1:00 p.m. The 0 - 2 Detroit Lions are are in AZ for a 4:25 game versus the 2 - 0 Cardinals. Are the Bears really a good 2 - 0 team? I doubt it. Are the Lions a not so good 0 - 2 team? I believe their record speaks for itself. 

Having accomplished the indoor chores I had  on my agenda yesterday, I plan to kick back and be retired today. Well, I may stop by the kitchen and do something. Mary made the meals yesterday, using up some leftovers for lunch, and making a very tasty baked macaroni and cheeze casserole for dinner. 

We watched more of the dwindling number of episodes of The Paradise along with a couple of episodes of Dharma and Greg. 

Otherwise, not much is happening. We may go walkabout with the fur-children if the air is cleared out by the windy conditions. Otherwise, Mary will be reading, as will I. Perhaps more crossword solving too. Life is easy when your choices are limited by the places you can visit. Ciao.