Good morning or good evening, wherever you may be, across the nation and across the world. It is just past 3:00 a.m. in "The City", where the current, low, and Real Feel temperatures are a very seasonal 68° with a wind out of the west @ eight mph.

Today's high temperature will reach 77° before an overnight low temperature of 68°. This isn't San Diego, CA, but temperatures like these make living in the midwest very nice.

Once again, we have two weather issues to report. 

First, is a Beach Hazard Statement until 6:00 p.m. tonight for Allegan, Mason, Muskegon, Oceana, Ottawas, and Van Buren counties in Michigan. Strong waves pushed by 25 mph winds will create hazardous rip currents and waves up to five feet in height. 

Not surprisingly, that leads to issue number two, a Small Craft Advisory, from St. Joseph to Manistee due to those aforementioned winds and waves.

The RHI is 78%, something that both Mary and I find makes outdoor activities, such as hiking or yard/garden work, less than ideal. But, once again, this isn't San Diego, CA. The sun will rise this morning @ 7:08 a.m. and set later @ 8:21 p.m.

Time for a big Thank You! to all my family and friends. I had a great birthday! I opted for another of Mary's special dishes, Veg a Roni, which is the homemade version of that famous faux Italian mass-produced creation. I could have had spaghettirole casserole, but a decision needed to be made and I opted for the Veg a Roni. 

In any event, I made it to my ortho appointment, read two newspapers, and worked on three crossword puzzles, put some paint on canvas, played both guitar and ukulele, and enjoyed putting another birthday in the mirror. We also listened to more of book number seven in the Maggie Hope series by Susan Elia MacNeal, entitled, The Paris Spy. In other words, it was a great day.

That being said, it was not a great day in sports.

The 55 - 75 Cubs looked good for a while, then they imploded versus the 70 - 58 Blue Jays in Toronto. Cubs' RHP Marcus Stroman, returned to the place where he began his MLB career, but the bullpen, a much-ballyhooed "strength" for the Cubs, fell apart and... 

I almost forgot, there is a "Waiting List" for Cubs season tickets for next year. Say what?

The Cubs and the Jays close out their series tonight @ 7:07 p.m. with TBD pitching for the Cubs.

My beloved 62 - 68 Red Sox looked awful as they dropped another to the 67 - 61 Twins, 5 - 10. RHP Michael Wacha, 9 - 1, is slated to pitch for the Sox beginning @ 7:40 p.m.

The woeful 50 - 79 Tigers, looked like an over-priced and overpaid team as RHP Matt Manning's slider was described as "less than crisp" as he served up another in a long line of losses to the 71 - 58 Mariners in Comerica Park in Detroit. Tonight's series finale begins @ 7:10 p.m. with RHP Tyler Alexander, 3 - 8, and the Tigers trying to play MLB™ level baseball. 

Finally, the victorious 64 - 57 West Michigan White Caps, took one from the 47 - 73 Ft. Wayne, IN Tin Caps, 5 - 1. Tonight's game in Ft. Wayne commences @ 6:35 p.m.

Today looks to be more laid-back, as Mary takes Ginger to her spa appointment this afternoon, I enjoy a slower day, and Mary and I listen to more of our collective ear-read. I may get to more print-reading too, but I often find that in retirement, I have less need to push myself to do things that can be put off til tomorrow. Ciao.