Good morning or good evening, wherever you may be, across the nation and across the world. It is just past 11:55 in "The City", where the current temperature is 72° under partly cloudy skies and it also feels like 72° with a wind out of the south @ 11 mph. 

That wind is part of the Small Craft Advisory that will be in effect from St. Joseph to Grand Haven until 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, with wind speeds up to 30 knots and waves from one to three feet in height. The overnight low tonight will drop to 63° before we rebound to tomorrow's high temperature of 75° under mostly sunny skies. The sun will rise tomorrow @ 6:09 a.m. and set later @ 9:15 p.m.

We got out today with Ginger for a trip to the library and a Memorial Day photoshoot. We hit several locations and I got some interesting shots at our auxiliary gardens, the Grand Haven City Beach, and Duncan Woods.

STWD is a nervous car rider, but Ginger can't get enough. 

Community Garden #1 is coming to life once again. 

Someone has a sense of humor. 

The channel and lighthouses.

A beautiful day for kite surfing and sunbathing at the Grand Haven City Beach.

One of the numerous black squirrels that call Duncan Woods home.

I love opening up the aperture and capturing the sun as it pokes through the trees.

My baseball teams fared well today, that is unless you count the 13 inning loss of the Cubs to that other team from Chicago. The Red Sox, the Tigers, and the Caps all won.

The Cubs play a doubleheader versus the Brewers tomorrow beginning @ 1:05 p.m. followed by a second game @ 6:40 p.m. The Red Sox take on the Orioles tomorrow night @ 7:10 p.m. The Tigers are home to face the Twins @ 1:10 p.m. The Caps will be off until Tuesday's game against the Lansing Lugnuts.

We had a nice dinner on our deck this evening after Mary prepared the food. I grilled everything just right. Mostly, we watched the 106th running of the Indianapolis 500, which was one by Marcus Ericsson, a Swedish-born driver. 

Tomorrow, we hope to do as little as possible and just enjoy some downtime. Ciao. 

Good morning or good evening, wherever you may be, across the nation and across the world. It is just past 6:00 a.m. in "The City", where the current temperature is 58° under partly cloudy skies. The slight wind out of the west @ seven mph gives us a "Real Feel" temperature of 56°. Today's high-temperature forecast from the NWS calls for 76° under partly-cloudy skies and a barometric pressure reading of 29.86" of Hg and rising, while my own DTWS is showing 29.18" of Hg and steady. 

The NWS has issued yet another Small Craft Advisory for the "Big Lake" from St. Joseph to Grand Haven, beginning today @ 2:00 p.m. and extending until 6:00 p.m. Tuesday. Wind speeds of 10 to 20 knots with gusts up to 25 knots may propel waves up to three feet in height. In short, to borrow from "The Bard", "Much ado about nothing." The sun will rise this morning @ 6:09 and set tonight @ 9:15 p.m.

Baseball yesterday was once again, not very, very good to me.

The only bright spot was the win by the 19 - 26 Cubs over that 22 - 23 other team from Chicago, 5 -1 on the strength of superb pitching by RHP Keegan Thompson, 5 - 0, and strong hitting off the bats of newly promoted rookie Chris Morel, now the latest Cubs leadoff hitter, and Frank Schwindel, last year's 30-year-old rookie phenom, and Patrick Wisdom. 

Is Thompson the new Cubs' ace? Is Morel the "Real Deal?" Can the Cubs continue to dominate that other team from Chicago? Inquiring minds want to know. Today's game with RHP Marcus Stroman, 2 - 4 on the mound for the Cubs begins @ 2:20 p.m. EDT.

Sadly, my beloved 22 - 25 Red Sox looked good in game one yesterday, as they defeated the 20 -28 Orioles, 5 - 3 on the strength of RHP Nathan Eovaldi's strong performance. Game two found that the Sox once again had slumber in their lumber, losing to the 20 - 28 Orioles, 2 - 4, meaning that the Sox lost nor gained ground yesterday. Yet another rookie RHP Josh Winckowski, 0 - 1, pitched for the Red Sox in game two, as manager Alex Cora struggles to find a solid rotation. Today's game begins @ 1:35 p.m. when RHP Nick Pivetta, 3 - 4 throws for the Sox.

The seriously woeful 16 - 29 Tigers found yet another way to lose a ballgame, as rookie RHP Alex Feado pitched well, but the Tigers bullpen collapsed in a lopsided 1 - 8 loss to the 19 - 23 Guardians last night. Today's game begins @ 1:40 p.m, when rookie RHP Elvin Rodriguez, 0 - 0 tosses for the Tigers.

The 19 - 25 Caps fell once again to the 30 - 13 Dayton Dragons last night, 2 - 3. Tonight's game begins @ 6:00 p.m.  

By the by, the 106th running of the World Famous Indianapolis 500, sees the green flag fall @ 12:45 p.m.

A short recap of yesterday's happenings here at the manse. More crossword solving. More planting in the vast gardens, now fully completed. More indoor chores accomplished, and more ear-reading, along with more stitching, and still more print reading.

Today is a day for watching the "Greatest Spectacle in Motor Racing", more reading, and more retirement. What's not to like? Ciao.

Good morning or good evening, wherever you may be, across the nation and across the world. It is just past 7:30 a;. m. in "The City", where the sun rose earlier into hazy skies @ 6:11 a.m. Today's high temperature will reach 62° with an overnight low temperature of 49°. Last night, I laid out my usual summer wardrobe, shorts, and a T-shirt, but I am rethinking that choice now. The sun will set tonight @ 9:12 p.m.

There are two alerts in the forecast from the NWS. First, a Beach Hazard Statement for Allegan, Mason, Muskegon, Ottawa, and Van Buren counties in Michigan until late tonight. Strong currents, especially near the north side of piers, will make swimming hazardous with high waves possible.

In addition, there is also a Small Craft Advisory in effect until 2:00 a.m. tomorrow from St. Joseph to Manistee, with wind speeds up to 30 knots and waves possible from three to six feet in height. 

Yesterday was a good day here at the manse, although we didn't get the rain that was in the forecast. That may happen today around 11:00 a.m., or not. However, I managed to take STWD for a walk, plant five Day Lilies in our ever-expanding vast gardens, take some pix of our flora, and finish my day with a stint in the kitchen making a vegan stir-fry. 

A special shout-out to Mary, as she graciously volunteered to clean up my kitchen disaster after dinner. Plus, since she was up ear-reading and stitching, she emptied the dishwasher too. I love her for all that she does to make my life easier. 

As I previously mentioned, I also took my camera outside for some pix of the flora in the vast gardens. Here are those pix in random and colorful order.

This year, the South Haven bearded irises are beginning to bloom.

As are the irises that came with the manse when we moved in nearly 11 years ago.

The numerous buds on all the irises are a harbinger of the great number of flowers Mary will have for her indoor decorations.

Many years ago, we planted "Major Wheeler", and she too is in bloom.

We used to plant herbs and lettuces in our deck planters. Now, marigolds are there as mosquito deterrents and also for their stunning colors.

Even our rescued Dogwood tree is thriving and starting to bloom.

As are these ferns.

Several weeks ago, the hosts of the Saturday morning Flowerland Show, noted that this has been a cool and wet springer, which is great for the plants and fruit trees here in West Michigan. It appears that they were right. Surprise, that is what they do, so with their guests, they accurately called that one. 

Yesterday in baseball was once again a mixed bag.

The 18 - 26 Cubs and starting and losing RHP Justin Steele, took it on the chin in a blowout loss to the 14 - 30 Reds, 5 - 20. Tonight's game versus that other, 22 - 22 team from Chicago begins in Guaranteed Rate field promptly @ 7:15 p.m. EDT when the Cubs send yet another TBD pitcher to the mound,

My beloved 21 - 23 Red Sox, crushed that other team from Chicago last night, 16 - 7. So, the Cubs will be walking into the game with a team that is stinging from that lopsided loss. Look out below. The Sox meet the 18 - 27 Orioles tonight in Fenway Park @ 7:10 p.m. when RHP Garrett Whitlock, 1 - 1, takes the hill for the beloved.

As a side note, the Red Sox's second-baseman, Trevor Story, has been on a tear, hitting home runs and getting base hits like he is the next coming of the immortal Ty Cobb. In fact, Story even succumbed to tossing out lines like these, " Times like this are rare." "It's a great feeling." "I'm trying to just live in the moment and  have good at-bats when I can." 

Those lines could have been spoken by Tim Robbin's character. "Nuke" Laloosh, in the classic baseball movie, Bull Durham. He was taught those lines by Kevin Costner's character, Crash Davis, when "Nuke" was promoted to "The Show" as the Major Leagues are called by the players. 

But I digress, the 16 - 28 Tigers used a clutch base hit by future Hall of Famer, Miguel "Miggy" Cabrera, to snatch one from the visiting 18 - 33 Guardians, 4 - 3. Tonight, the Tigers send rookie RHP Alex Faedo, 1 - 1 to the mound to face those same Guardians @ 7:10 p.m.

The Caps split a doubleheader with the visiting Dayton Dragons yesterday, losing game one, 0 - 5, but winning the nightcap, 9 - 6. Both teams meet again tonight @ 6:35 p.m.

Today at the manse, would be quieter and maybe wetter if those rains actually occur. We have no specific plans other than to listen to more of The Great Gatsby. That's how retirement should be. Ciao. 

Good morning or good evening, wherever you may be. across the nation and across the world. It is just past 6:25 a.m. in "The City", where the current temperature of 64° under rainy skies will also prove to be our overnight low too. The "Real Feel" temperature is 62° with a wind out of the southwest @ 17 mph.

We will see a continuation of the Small Craft Advisory from South Haven to Manistee until 5:00 p.m. today, with wind speeds of 10 to 20 knots and gusts possible to 25 knots propelling waves up to five feet in height. The sun rose this morning @ 6:11 a,n, and it will set this evening @ 9:12 p.m.

In between, showers will be possible with a 70% chance that increases to steady rain by later this evening. This weekend, the NWS is forecasting highs to reach 79 or 80 degrees with high humidity. 

I didn't blog yesterday because I was bummed out by the murder of 19 students and two teachers.in Uvalde, TX by a gun-toting terrorist with what has been reported as an AR-15 rifle with six or seven 30-round magazines. 

As a retired teacher who started my career before all of these shootings became commonplace, I had to learn along with my students how to shelter in place during Active Shooter Drills that became as regular as the fire drills that had been part and parcel twice per year. Along with Bus Evacuation Drills and Tornado Drills, those were the only things that we had to add to our plans. Sadly, once the massacre at Columbine High School took place, those Active Shooter Drills became additions to schools across this nation. 

I remember the day that the deaths of nearly 3,000 souls occurred at the World Trade Centers on 9/11 and the effect that had on me and my students. While horrendous, that act of terrorism was a one-time occurrence. These days, terrorist attacks on schools and their staff and students are all too common. 

So, I'll now resume my regularly scheduled blog, already in progress.

While I often say that "Baseball is life!", I just couldn't bring myself to go there for two games that turned into blowouts for the Cubs and my beloved Red Sox on Tuesday night. Even now, I will keep it short and mention that yesterday, the Cubs and the Sox fell, the Caps were rained out leading to a doubleheader tonight, and the Tigers took 10 innings to defeat the Twins.

Today, the Cubs play the Reds again @ 12:35 EDT. The Red Sox play that other team from Chicago, @ 8:10 p.m. this evening, and the Tigers are home tonight to play the Cleveland Guardians @ 7:10 p.m.

There were a couple of respites from the rain yesterday during which I walked STWD and Mary and I added new roses to our rose garden. Later, Mary and Ginger walked to the waterfront and back. While there, they took a picture of Dewey Hill as it greens up for spring.

With "The Season" officially beginning today, this was a chance to get a pic without the crowds.

Otherwise, we completed the indoor chores, I completed two crosswords and read more, while Mary made a couple of great meals. Later, while I crashed in the media room, Mary went down the proverbial wormhole and listened to her latest book until early this morning. That's enough for now. Ciao. 

Good morning or good evening, wherever you may be, across the nation and across the world. It is just past 4:45 a.m. in "The City", where the current temperature is 50° under clear skies, but it feels like 47° with a wind out of the east @ six mph. The overnight low is not likely to drop any further than that same 50° before we reach today's high temperature of 65°, which is nine degrees warmer than yesterday. Our overnight low-temperature tonight should be 53°. The sun will rise this morning @ 6:13 a.m. and set tonight @ 9:10 p.m.

Our Senior Staff Photographer and Ginger went freelancing earlier today. Our Senior Staff Photographer took along her Olympus TG-6 Tough Camera and took some shots that she knew I would like, but also one that I'm relatively sure was her own whimsical look into the past. Here are those pix. 

Her idea of what the world should be is a 1960s-era VW convertible. 

My idea of the world as it is is an empty playground with a construction crane in the background.

Baseball yesterday was another mixed bag. I watched the 14 - 27 Tigers send yet another of their young pitching prospects, Elvin Rodriguez, to the mound in the Major Leagues with the outcome not an unexpected loss, 4 - 5, in extra innings, to the 26 - 16 Minnesota Twins. Rodriguez gave up a grand slam home run in the bottom of the first inning, but the Tigers clawed their way back, pun intended, to tie the game. The usually reliable RHP reliever, Andrew Chafin, coughed up the winning run and the Tigers came away with yet another loss. Tonight's game with another rookie, RHP Rony Garcia, on the mound begins @ 7:40 p.m.

The 17 - 24 Cubs are still struggling, but they managed to convincingly defeat the woeful 12 - 29 Reds last night, 7 - 4, as LHP Drew Smyly, 2 - 5, notched the win for the northsiders. The Cubs saw Patrick Wisdom and Frank Schwindel hit back-to-back home runs on two consecutive days, a feat not seen since the late Ernie "Mr. Cub's" Banks and the late Jim Hickman did that same feat in late August of 1969. Those of us old enough to remember that ill-fated season, fondly remember those two players. 

At any rate, Wisdom and Schwindel were joined by Ian Happ in the home run derby. The Cubs and the Reds play again tonight as RHP Marcus Stroman pitches for the Cubs @ 6:40 p.m. EDT.

The suddenly surging, 19 - 22 Red Sox were off yesterday after winning their 5th in a row Sunday. They are in Chicago tonight to face that other 21 - 20 team, as RHP Nick Pivetta, 2 - 4, attempts to extend that streak to six games for the beloved @ 8:10 p.m.

The 18 - 21 Caps were also off yesterday. They are home tonight to face the 26 - 12 Dayton Dragons @ 6:05 p.m.

Around here, the day promises to be less busy, as we have nothing on our schedule. We'll continue to ear-read from the Great Gatsby and possibly my own readings from The Trials of Harry Truman, along with the silent reading of my own novel too. I hope to get to the newspapers today and perhaps the crossword puzzles too, along with a trip to the nursery in Allendale, MI for some additional plants for the vast gardens. I guess that we'll be busier than I thought. Ciao. 

Good morning or good evening, wherever you may be, across the nation and across the world. It is just past 5:30 a.m. in "The City", where the current temperature is a brisk 50° that feels like 48° with a slight wind blowing out of the west @ five mph under cloudy skies. That 510 looks to be our overnight low temperature as we climb towards today's high temperature of 54° under skies that will be a mix of clouds and sun. However, it looks like the heavy rains that fell yesterday are over, at least for now.

We will have yet another Small Craft Advisory going into effect today @ 12:00 p.m. from St. Joseph to Whitehall lasting until 7:00 p.m. tonight. Winds are forecast by the NWS to be anywhere from 10 to 20 knots with gusts up to 30 knots propelling waves up to four feet in height. The sun rose this morning @ 6:14 a.m. and it will set tonight @ 9:09 p.m.

Since we had a rainy day yesterday, we accomplished all of our indoor chores, finished our ear-reading of Radio Girls, and I started a new novel that is much more satisfactory. I also finished three crossword puzzles along with baking some vegan funfetti cookies. Mary had worked into the late hours of Friday night into Saturday to make some vegan cottage tofu and salad dressings. That allowed us to have a nice big dinner-sized salad for brunch and then later, we had tomato soup and sandwiches for dinner. What's not to like?

Every now and then the rains slowed enough for us to get the fur-children out and give Mary a chance to pick some tulips from our vast gardens for her indoor enjoyment.

Fresh from the vast gardens to beenjoyed as we dine.

Baseball news yesterday was a mixed bag.

The 15 - 24 Cubs squandered a great pitching performance by Justin Steele and a 4 - 0 lead to lose to the 21 - 24 D'Backs in 10 innings, 6 - 7. Today's game between those two teams begins @ 2:20 p.m. EDT when LHP Wade Miley makes the start for the northsiders. 

My beloved 18 - 22 Red Sox once again came from behind to defeat the 17 - 24 Mariners, 6 - 5. The Sox and RHP Nathan Eovaldi go for the sweep today beginning @ 1:35 p.m. 

The 13 - 26 Tigers were rained out in Cleveland in a game that was to be against the 17 - 19 Guardians yesterday. That game has been rescheduled for July 14. Today's Tigers' starting pitcher is scheduled to be RHP  Alex Faedo as the Tigers try to salvage a once-promising season. Their entire starting pitching staff has been decimated by injuries. That game is scheduled for 1:40 p.m.

Finally, the 17 - 21 Caps eked out a win over the 15 - 23 TinCaps yesterday, 1 - 0. Today's game begins @ 1:05 p.m. in Ft. Wayne, IN. Next Tuesday, the Caps are home to face the Dayton Dragons.

We're hoping to get out for some walkabout with the fur children today. STWD is willing, but I have to watch her mileage as she hasn't the stamina for too much walking anymore. Mary and Ginger can walk for miles, but then, Ginger is much younger.

Otherwise, we will enjoy our downtime today and I hope to get in some studio time painting and coloring. Ukulele tonight @ 9:00 p.m. Mary will continue her cross-stitching and we'll both start to ear-read a classic novel, The Great Gatsby during meals. Ciao.

Good morning or good evening, wherever you may be, across the nation and across the world. It is just past 4:15 a.m. in "The City", where the current temperature is 57° under skies that are alternating between T-storms, rain, and clouds. The "Real Feel" temperature is also 57° with a slight breeze out of the southwest @ three mph. Considering how windy it was yesterday afternoon and evening, that's quite a remarkable change. 

Our overnight low is expected to fall below that current temperature, possibly as low as 53°, as we rise toward the sunrise today @ 6:15 a.m. and well before the sunset @ 9:08 p.m. In between, the NWS is forecasting a mix of showers and cloudy skies throughout the day and into Sunday. Today's high temperature is expected to only rebound to 58° with an overnight low temperature of 48°. 

Yesterday afternoon, a tornado touched down in Gaylord, MI. causing power outages and damage to buildings and vehicles, with one death and some serious injuries were reported.

The return of Kite Fest is scheduled for today and tomorrow, but the weather is not looking like it will be cooperative.

Mary and Ginger went walkabout yesterday and took some great pix as they sat along the banks of the channel in Linear Park. I've been a slacker and I've only taken short walks with STWD. In fact, while she has lost most of her hearing, her "Weather Senses" are still intact and she has emigrated to the bathroom periodically as she sensed the disturbance in the force. 

At any rate, I'll share some pix  that Mary and Ginger snapped yesterday. 

A pair of Canada geese and their goslings. I understand that the male was very aggressive as he warned off intruders, like Mary and Ginger.

Using the pavilion as a frame for this shot of Dewey Hill.

A lone duck.

Most of the pleasure boats await the start of "The Season."

A lone swan in the nearby pond.

Many plants and colors in this shot. 

I'm getting verbose, so I'll just say that the lone bright spot in yesterday's baseball news was the victory of my beloved Red Sox over the visiting Seattle Mariners, 7 - 3. Every one of my other teams fell to the opposition. 

Today's games are: Cubs versus D'Backs, @ 2:20 p.m. EDT. The Tigers versus the Cleveland Guardians @ 6:10 p.m. The Caps versus the TinCaps @ 6:35 p.m.

I gave up on a novel I was reading and I'm getting set to start another soon. We are nearly done with our collective ear-reading of Radio Girls. We have both speculated on the final outcome of what has been an interesting story.

I made more vegan Italian burgers yesterday and finished two newspapers and crosswords. Today, the inclement weather will keep us indoors and that's fine with me. Mary will get a chance to cross-stitch more and I'll get time to read too. Oh, there are more indoor chores to do too. Ciao. 

Good morning or good evening, wherever you may be, across the nation and across the world. It is just past 5:30 a.m. in The City", Grand haven, MI, where the current temperature is a very comfortable 67° under clear skies with a wind out of the southwest @ 12 mph that makes the temperature feel like 67°. Our overnight low temperature has already been reached with that 67°. Today's high temperature will be a very seasonal 72° with an overnight low temperature of 52°.

We have a Small Craft Advisory in effect from St. Joseph to Manistee until 10:00 p.m. tonight with the NWS forecasting winds speeds of 10 - 20 notes with gusts possible up to 30 knots and waves from two to four feet in height. There is a 40% chance for storms later this afternoon. The sun will rise today @ 6:16 a.m.and set later @ 9:07 p.m.

As editor in chief of this blog, it is my prerogative to assign our Senior Staff Photographer the task of taking pictures on her safaris with Ginger to the waterfront. Here are the results of their efforts from a couple of trips.

The fishing boats were all docked and ready on a recent safari.

In this shot, two small craft are clearly visible in the foreground with Dewey Hill in the background.

While the weather was perfect for walkabout yesterday, fog hung over the channel.

Looking towards Lake MI, visibility was limited.

Mary assured me that I had seen this scene of a rescue boat before, but it was new to me.

The first sighting of many summer-season hammocks was spotted during yesterday's safari.

The quiet before the weekend storm of Kitefest and tourists. 

With few exceptions, the channel was open to all ships and boats yesterday, but still foggy.

I'd like to say that all went well in baseball, yesterday, but I can't. 

The 15 - 22, 4th place in the NL Central Cubs, fell to the 19 - 21, 5th place in the NL West D'Backs last night, 1 - 3, as newly activated RHP Marcus Stroman, 1 - 4 proved ineffective against the bats of the D'Backs. The Cubs and the D'Backs take the field again today @ 2:20 p.m. EDT as RHP Kyle Hendricks, 2 - 3 tosses for the Cubs.

Cubs' exec, Jed Hoyer, took questions from reporters before the game and when asked about the contract status of soon to be free agent catcher Willson Contreras, Hoyer demurred and mentioned a June meeting with Contreras' agents. However, Contreras has indicated that he'd like to wait until season's end to have any substantive talks and he may be yet another member of the 2016 World Series™ team to be traded for future prospects. Contreras will be angling for a long -term contract with big money in that contract. Only time will tell I guess.

My beloved 16 - 22, 4th in the AL East Red Sox, fell behind early last last night, but came from behind on the strength of three Trevor Story home runs and a solid performance from reliever and eventual winning RHP Tanner Houck, 3 - 3, to finish strong and crush the 17 - 22, 4th in the AL West Mariners, 12 - 6. Tonight's game commences @ 7:10 p.m. when RHP Michael Wacha, 3 - 0, takes the ball from Sox manager Alex Cora @ 7:10 p.m. EDT.

The 13 - 25, 5th in the AL Central Tigers, were off yesterday. They open a series tonight in Cleveland against the 16 - 19 third place in the AL Central Guardians @ 7:10 p.m., when LHP Tarik Skubal, 3 - 2, takes the mound for the Tigers.

The 16 - 20, 4th place in the Midwest League East Caps, defeated the 6th place in that same division TinCaps, last night, 4 - 2. The Caps and the TinCaps play again tonight @ 7:05 p.m. EDT.

Today should be a bit more sedate here at the manse of the palatial estate. The weather will be pleasant, there are no pressing chores to be done, and I finally got around to clearing out the man-cave yesterday. I read more of my latest novel, we collectively ear-read more of Radio Girls, and Mary finished her last personal ear-read while I read the beginning of my lates novel and finished the crosswords puzzles. So, it looks as though I can sit back after a short walk with STWD and perhaps get into the kitchen for some creative endeavors. Ciao. 

Good morning or good evening, wherever you may be, across the nation and across the world. It is just past 6:00 a.m. in "The City", where the current temperature is 52°­ although it feels like 50° with a wind out of the east @ six mph. The skies are more than cloudy, and a glance out the WW shows that a light rain is falling. That rain is expected to continue throughout the day today and into the early evening hours tonight. 

Today's high temperature will only reach 57°, with a low of 49°, quite a change from just a few days ago when we reached the mid-80s for high temperatures, with lows in the upper 70s. In fact, the NWS is forecasting very comfortable temperatures for several more days. We'll take it!

The sun will rise this morning @ 6:18 a.m. and set tonight @ 9:04 p.m.

A quickie update on the vast gardens of the Palatial Estate. Our cucumbers havc sprouted! We planted the seeds last Thursday, so it has been less than one-week. Oh, a side note. Our indoor gardens have now received enough sunlight so that Mary's African violets are finally booming. 

Baseball yesterday was not very good to me. In fact, it was awful. 

The only win came as the 15 - 20 Cubs crushed the 15 - 21 Pirates, 7 - 0 on the strength of great pitching by winner RHP Keegan Thompson, 3 - 0, with relief help from rookie callup LHP Brandon Hughes, who in 2019 was converted from outfielder to pitcher. If he can keep it going, the future looks bright for the 26 yo southpaw. 

In addition, Cubs rookie Christopher Morel was called up from the Iowa Cubs and in his first at bat, he got a home run. I know that the Cubs are a work in progress, but is there another World Series in their future? We'll have to wait and see. The Cubs and the Pirates return to the field tonight @ 7:40 p.m.EDT when LHP Drew Smyly, 1 - 4 tosses for the northsiders.

My beloved 14 - 22 Red Sox were thoroughly trounced by the 24 - 13 Astros last night, 4 - 13. Let's just say that if the Sox don't improve, there may be another fire sale in the near future as the Sox also retool for the future. The Sox and the Astros take the field again tonight in Houston for a game starting @ 6:10 p.m. when RHP Nick Pivetta, 1 - 4 makes his next start for the Sox.

The 13 - 24 Tigers, were also crushed yesterday, as the 22 - 15 Tampa Bay Rays pummeled the Tigers, 1 - 8. The future is not looking good in the Motor City. The Tigers and the Rays square off again today, when LHP Eduardo Rodriguez, 1 - 2, toes the rubber for the Tigers in a game beginning @ 1:10 p.m.

The 14 - 20 Caps lost to the also 14 - 20 TinCaps last night, 4 - 5. Both teams try again tonight @ 6:35 p.m.

Otherwise, not much is on tap here today. More reading, more ear-reading, more crossword solving, and more cross-stitching. We will be traveling to Muskegon for a visit to one of my orthopedists this afternoon. That's enough for one day. Ciao. 

Good morning or good evening, wherever you may be, across the nation and across the world. It is just past 4:45 a.m. in "The City", where the current temperature is 52° as we drop to our overnight low temperature of 47°. That's all under mostly-cloudy skies that may or may not lead to a chance shower later this morning under partly cloudy skies. 

The 10 mph wind out of the southwest makes it feel like it is 49°. It is a lot better than that brief but too long heatwave that hit us last week with mid to upper 80° range temperatures. The sun will rise later this morning @ 6:20 a.m. and set later @ 9:02 p.m.

We had a great visit with our children Friday and Saturday. We grilled out Saturday night and for a first of the season effort, everything turned out great. Sadly, we had to bid them adieu early yesterday morning. Here's hoping that we can do more this year.

Saturday, we walked over to the first annual Grand Haven Jeepfest™. The Jeep™ community was well represented and the photo-ops were numerous. I decided to focus on some Jeeps of interest to me. 

The Jeep version of the famous "Woody Wagon."

Surfs up?

A scale version of a Jeep Wagoneer towing a 3-D printed trailer and a 1/24 scale Jeep on top.

What's a fest in GH without dogs?

The Jeep Club from GR was well represented.

What a Jeep should look like when it has been used off-road!

From all accounts, this was a great first-time effort and everyone expects a bigger and better turnout next year. 

Elsewhere yesterday, the 13 - 20 Cubs used 10Ks by Justin Steele to propel themselves to a 3 - 2 win over the 18 - 17 D'Backs. The Cubs are home tonight @ 7:10 p.m. EDT when the 15 - 19 Pirates come calling to the Friendly Confines. LHP Wade Miley will take the mound for the Cubs.

My beloved 13 - 21 Red Sox were summarily dismissed by the 14 - 19 TX Rangers yesterday, 1- 7. The Sox are home tonight to face the 23 - 12 Astros @ 7:10 p.m. as RHP Garrett Whitlock makes his next start for the Sox. 

The 12 - 23 Tigers swept the 14 - 21 Orioles yesterday with a solid 5 - 1 win for starter and potential "Ace", LHP Tarik Skubal. The Tigers travel to Tampa Bay to face the 21 - 14 Rays tonight @ 6:10 p.m. as RHP Alex Faedo, takes the mound for the Tigers. 

Finally, the 14 - 19 Caps tipped the 10 - 23 Snappers yesterday, 2 - 1. The Caps are off until tomorrow when they travel to Ft. Wayne, IN to face the TinCaps @ 6:35 p.m.

I put some paint on canvas yesterday, finished a novel, started another, listened to our joint ear-read, and enjoyed retirement. 

Today, some indoor chores and a visit to the hospital for another round of tests for me, and more cross-stitching, more ear-reading, and indoor chore assistance for Mary. That's all folks! Ciao.

Otherwise, today should've more 

Good morning or good evening or good evening, wherever you may be, across the nation and across the world. It is just past 5:45 a.m. in "The City" where my big fingers once again deleted my first efforts, so I am having to recreate from scratch. Let me, therefore, keep it simple. Our current temperature is 64° which is also our overnight low, our "Real Feel" temperature, and today's high temperature. That's a welcome relief from yesterday's 79° high temperature. Tonight, the low temperature will fall to a relatively chilly 51°.

As this is the day of our inaugural Jeepfest™, the NWS forecast for only a 22% chance of showers under partly-cloudy skies is a harbinger of good things for fest-goers. Our heatwave is over for a while.

The sun will rise @ 6:22 a.m. and set later @ 9:00 p.m.

I was going to write more about baseball, but the necessity of recreating this blog means that I'll just say that the Cubs lost to the D'Backs, the Red Sox defeated the TX Rangers, the Tigers slipped past the Orioles, and the Caps defeated the Beloit Snappers. 

Today's games begin respectively @ 8:10 p.m., 7:05 p.m., 4:05 p.m., and 6:35 p.m.

Speaking of Jeepfest™ our children arrived for a visit and our son brought his latest R/C car, a 1/24 scale Jeep™. I took some pix of that vehicle in our vast gardens along with some other pix of the flora and fauna native to our environs.

Cruising.

Resting near the Tree Man planter.

On safari through our jungle.

A black squirrel resting.

My original reason for having my camera out.

The sun through our ornamental pear tree. 

I liked how the sun and shadows interplayed in this shot. 

Harry the Hare in his new home. 

STWD, as taken by our son.

With a change in the aperture setting on my Olympus DSLR, the sun was an integral part of this shot.

Another change in the aperture produced this shot of that same squirrel. 

The front porch of the manse, the furniture located there, and especially our awning, needed extra effort to clean after a long winter or two. There is a night and day difference. But, I didn't have any before pictures, so any after pictures would have no point of reference.

Today we will be attending the Jeepfest™, taking some pix, grilling out, and staying out of trouble. Ciao.

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", where the sun has already risen, yet well before it will set later @ 8:58 p.m.

Our current temperature is a very seasonal 69° with the high today forecast by the NWS to reach a sweltering 78° under mostly sunny skies.

There is supposed to be a Dense Fog Advisory in effect until 8:00 a.m. this morning, but a glance out the WW does not concur. 

I would have been here sooner, but like many days, my P/C needed yet another update, so I am really hoping to keep this blog brief.

Cubs win in San Diego and move on to AZ for a game tonight against the D'Backs @ 9:40 p.m.

The Tigers took it on the chin in Detroit in a blowout 0 - 9 loss to the As. The Tigers and the As play again today @ 1:10 p.m.

The Red Sox lost yet again to the Braves. The Sox are inTX tonight @ 8:05 for a game versus the Rangers.

The Caps lost big time to the Snappers, 3 - 14. they are playing again tonight @ 6:05 p.m.

We got most of our spring cleaning done yesterday, and we planted some of our flowers and all of our vegetables. 

I gave up on a book I was reading, but I have yet to start another. Instead, we are collectively ear reading Radio Girls. 

Ginger got groomed yesterday and I hope to give STWD a bath today. 

That's enough, Ciao. 

Good morning or good evening, wherever you may be, across the nation and across the world. It is just past 4:45 a.m. in "The City", where the current temperature of 69° is also our overnight low, and the "Real Feel" temperature with a wind out of the southwest @ 11 mph. A rare confluence of temperatures.

We had a high-temperature yesterday of 79° under mostly sunny skies and it felt great! Today's high will be about seven degrees cooler at a very seasonal 72°, albeit under cloudy skies. 

We have a Small Craft Advisory in effect until 8:00 a.m. this morning from St. Joseph to Manistee with winds from 10 - 15 knots with gusts up to 25 knots producing waves up to four feet in height.

The sun will rise @ 6:26 a.m. and set later @ 8:56 p.m.

Yesterday, it was a great day for me to go walkabout. I'd like to say that I have unlimited range, yeah, I'd like to say that, but I can't. I was able to walk to Third St. and back with Mary and Ginger, so I'll take that as a good thing, especially if I can increase my distance more each day. 

I won't say too much about the baseball games yesterday, except that the 10 - 18 Cubs finally gave winning RHP Kyle Hendricks, 2 - 3, some run support in a 6 - 0 win over the 19 - 11 San Diego Padres. The Cubs will see the 2022 MLB™ debut of LHP Wade Smiley, 0 - 0, as he starts the game tonight in San Diego that begins @ 9:10 p.m. EDT.

My beloved 10 - 19 Red Sox mercifully had the day off yesterday as they continue to struggle at the plate. They are in Atlanta tonight for a 7:20 p.m. start versus the 14 - 16 Braves as RHP Garrett Whitlock, 1 - 1, gets the nod from Sox's manager Alex Cora. 

The still struggling 8 - 20 Tigers, a team I had great hopes for the season, dropped a home game versus the visiting 11 - 18 Oakland Athletics, 0 - 2 last night. Tigers' manager A. J. Hinch was tossed out along with SS Javier Baez for arguing with the home plate umpire. Let's just say that a frustrated Tigers team and an overzealous umpire were not a good mix last night. The Tigers play the As again this afternoon beginning @ 1:10 p.m. when LHP Tarik Skubal takes the hill for the home team.

The 10 - 17 Caps were off yesterday before beginning a homestand versus the 8 - 19 Beloit snappers tonight @ 6:35 p.m.

With a few exceptions, the winningest teams from last season are not faring well this season.

I did get some local pictures yesterday during our walkabout, so that was a good thing. No rhyme nor reason, just things I found interesting as I walked and here in the back-forty.

Although nearing their end, the daffodils are still blooming.

As are the mushrooms in our newly laid mulch.

Jeepfest™ is coming this Saturday. 

So, I had to capture Jeeps as we walked. 

This young woman was reading, writing, and enjoying the sunshine in Central Park.

As this bicycle awaited the return of its rider near Public Safety.

Finally, the tulips are beginning to open here at the manse.

As are the violets along our shared driveway.

And the flowers on the English Ivy too.

In short, it was a great day for living here in the midwest of the US. 

Today, more indoor chores, a possible visit to the garden center, less walking for me, beginning to read a novel that is as large as the proverbial NYC phone book, more ear reading from The Radio Girls, and more spring cleaning. It is amazing how much clutter can accumulate during everyday living as well as during the Covid-19 pandemic. That's all folks! Ciao.