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.