Good morning or good evening, wherever you may be, across the nation and across the world. It is just past 8:30 a.m. in "The City", where the sun rose over one-hour ago @ 7:04 a.m. and well before it sets this evening @ 8:26 p.m. 

Our current temperature is actually right on the numbers with highs in the upper 50s or lower 60s at this time of year. In fact, Ellen Bacca, an NWA certified meteorologist @ WOOD TV/Radio in GR, recently published this chart that shows where we currently are in April and where we are headed for the foreseeable future, at least temperature-wise. It looks like 61° is the highest temperature we will experience for a while and that's all the way out on April 28!

But as usual, I digress. We have a Small Craft Advisory going into effect tomorrow morning @ 2:00 a.m. EDT and continuing until 2:00 a.m. EDT Friday, from St. Joseph to Manistee. Wind speeds will average between 10 to 20 knots with gust up to 30 knots and possible wave heights from three to six feet. 

Elsewhere in the news, we accomplished those pesky indoor chores yesterday and I got started on the spring cleaning of our mud-room and laundry area. More to go, but it was a good start. I also hung our new living room clock, following the untimely demise of the previous occupant of that space, which apparently was vibrated off the wall by the passage of trains. We liked that previous occupant, but, it could not be repaired.

I spent some time in my studio yesterday, playing my guitar and putting paint on canvas. Truth be told, I christened my new artist's apron in the process. Mary spent a huge amount of time and effort cross-stitching that apron. But I'm told, that that's the point of an apron. Here is a pic taken by our Senior Staff Photographer and the cross-stitching creator of that apron. 

Oops! I was told that it is okay to get paint on m apron, so...

 

In sports news yesterday, at least as far as baseball is concerned, everything went well. My teams went 3 - 0. 

The 5 - 6 Cubs eked out a 3 - 2 win over the 6 - 5 Brewers in Milwaukee last night, as RHP Pedro Strop came on in relief and got the win. Catcher, Willson Contreras, was hit by a pitch in the 4th inning, but came back to hit a two-run home run to win the game. The Cubs and the Brewers play this afternoon @ 1:40 p.m. EDT, when RHP Jake Arrieta, 2 - 0, toes the rubber for the Cubs.

Worthy of note, the original starter for that game, RHP Kyle Hendricks, was a scratch due to an unspecified ill-feeling. In this time of Covid-1 infections, not caution is too much.

The 5 - 6 Tigers looked like a real baseball team last night, as they convincingly defeated the 6 - 5 Astros in Houston, 8 - 2. LHP Matthew Boyd 2 - 1, looked sharp as he stymied the Astros' hitters through most of the game. Once again  rookie phenom Akil Baddoo was all over the ball, getting yet another home-run. This time, he ran hard to first base, without the theatrics of a home-run trot, that he exhibited the day before on what looked like a home-run, but which became a loud double. The Tigers and the Astros close out their series tonight @ 7:10 p.m. EDT, when RHP Michael Fulmer, 0 - 0, makes his first 2021 start.

My beloved 7 - 3 Red Sox took another game from the 5 - 5 Twins last night, 4 - 2. as RHP Adam 

Ottavino, 1 - 0, got the win. Infielder Bobby Dalbec was on a tear, as he got two doubles in the game to pace the Sox. The beloved and the Twins play again this afternoon @ 2:10 p.m., when RHP Nathan Eovaldi, 1 - 1 pitches for the Sox. FYI, the Sox got off to an 0 - 3 start this year, but they are looking good.

Today, Ginger has her first grooming appointment in over one-year, We've done well during this pandemic, but Ginger needs a professional to make her look even more beautiful than she always does on a daily basis. Mary plans to walk her over to the groomer which is just about one-mile.

Otherwise, I plan to get started upstairs on more of that aforementioned spring cleaning, or perhaps I'll go outside for some gardening. I'm open and there is no rush on that gardening. I may get into the kitchen too. Ciao.