Good afternoon GH. It has become a beautiful day here in "The City." Currently the temperature is 72 sunny degrees as we head for a high of 78. The showers we had early this AM have given way to sunny skies and a nice breeze. Tomorrow looks like more of the same.

Yesterday I rode my bike for about 15 miles. Once I got to riding, I just couldn't stop. I am sure that I will pay for it later in life; but for now it felt great. Otherwise, I didn't do much except play my guitar, spend some time in the "Bone Zone," and do a bit of watering which probably ensured the rain. I also got started on a book about Nikola Tesla, by W. Bernard Carlson. Like other books of this genre, it is long on technical jargon, but also includes a great deal of explanation about the man himself. So far, I like it.

I have found that we have a local public radio station that plays oldies from the 50s, 60s, and a little 70s. Being a public radio station, they don't have commercials and they have an extensive collection of songs that are seldom if ever heard on commercial radio. Best of all, it is an AM station where I live, and when listened to on a one speaker transistor radio, it is just perfect.

Today, I already walked twice with Sugar the Weather Dog and now I don't anticipate doing much of anything else. I did do the dishes, ate the soup that I made last week for lunch and organized the drawer where we keep some of the candy, crackers, and baking supplies that have no other home. I like the result of my efforts.

In sports, the boys in blue fell to the Phillies by a score of 8 - 9. The Tigers improved to a 5.0 game lead over the Tribe as they beat that team by a score of 5 - 1 to give Justin Verlander his 12th win of the year. My beloved Red Sox had a real slug fest, beating the Astros 15 - 10. That gives them a 1.5 game lead over the Rays. The Caps beat the Dragons 6 - 3.

So that being said, I should note that the trains early this morning were about three hours apart as they moved slowly down our short line. I just wish they came by during the day so that I could get some pictures However, that is unlikely due to traffic concerns.

Speaking of traffic concerns, the Tribune is reporting that the state is studying widening Beacon, route 31, as it goes through GH. In order to do that, they would have to take out the boulevard and the trees that occupy it. I don't think it is a good plan, especially since the money involved could be put to better use repairing the existing streets and roads. However, that is less appealing to the politicians.

So, time for more guitar, more reading, and more of whatever I want to do. Ciao Barb.

Good morning GH. This is a sharp change from yesterday morning when the temperature dropped to 52 degrees about this time.  Today at 2:00 AM in "The City," it is 66 degrees and we are once again enjoying life in our little slice of paradise. Sugar the Weather Dog is sound asleep and that means that the front that was supposed to come through didn't produce any rain. I've also decide that if Sugar is a dog who is sensitive to the fronts, then I am Jack the Weather Guy who is also sensitive to those same fronts. Every time a front is moving through, I get a sinus headache. Our next chance of meaningful precipitation is Wednesday.

On Monday, Sugar and I went for a walk in the AM, and Sugar and Mary went for a walk to the waterfront in the PM. In between Mary and I traveled to the library for some additional reading material. I got a book about Tesla the engineer along with some spy type thrillers. Mary got a couple of books too.

At home I elected to do very little and that was enough for me. I did get in some guitar playing, but other than that, I was basically inert. Sometimes that's enough. Oh well, that's one of the things about being retired. However, being up at this hour has also allowed me to listen to the WGN host reminisce with Jack Brickhouse's widow about the legendary broadcaster on the 15th anniversary of Jack's passing. For those of you like me who also remember the late broadcaster, let me say that it is has been a pleasure

Today, I don't have any real plans. I often plan and then put things off. I think that the days when I get up around 11:00 AM and then let the day follow its own course are the best. I used to think that each day needed a plan, but now I think that the days that write their own script are the best. No deadlines, no schedules, no appointments. Oh well, I'm rambling.

In sports the boys in blue fell to 18 games back and they didn't even play. Somehow Jack Brickhouse would have found a way to make us feel good about what became an all too familiar outcome for the boys in blue for too many years. Listening to Jack call the 500th home run for Mr. Cub, Ernie Banks, and the no-hitter for Milt Pappas was bittersweet. In fact, Jack could make a rain delay exciting as it seemed that he knew just about everyone in baseball and could call them into the booth for some great moments in history. Jack was a three sports announcer as well as doing man on the street segments and doing the news.  Before there was Harry Caray and his "Holy Cow," there was Jack Brickhouse and his "Hey-Hey, whee." He was truly one of the greats in sports and deserved his place in Baseball's Hall of Fame. I still measure the first day of spring as the day that pitchers and catchers report in February.

The Tigers looked like they might lose a game and then when it looked bad, a ninth inning home run snatched victory from the jaws of defeat as they defeated the Tribe 4 - 2 and moved to four games ahead of that same team. Unfortunately, they lost their shortstop to a 50 game suspension. My beloved Red Sox were blanked by the Astros 0 - 2 resulting in a .5 game lead over the Rays. The Caps after a resounding win over the Dayton Dragons the day before, fell to those same guys 4 - 5.

So, that's about it for today and yesterday. Soon it will be...Tea time and that means that a little more sleep is on order. Ciao.

P.S. Be sure to check out Mary's blog for some great pictures of Saturday's parade and the fireworks that closed out our Coast Guard celebration.

Good early morning GH. Here in "The City" it is just past 3:00 AM and the temperature is 54 brisk degrees. The chance for showers has been increased to 50% by day's end. It should rain, since I took time to water on Sunday.

Speaking of Sunday, I was a busy bee. Basically, all of the things that were on my to-do list are now on my to-done list. I oiled the hinges on the garage door, I put the first coat of paint on the outer doors to the man-cave, after which I mowed the lawn on the palatial estate. Next, I folded the laundry I had washed, followed by emptying the dishwasher, and all of that by 1:30 PM. Not bad for a man of my advanced years. : - )

I even found time to walk with Sugar the Weather Dog and visit our now quiet city. Now that the Coast Guard Fest is over for another year, we have our city back. As Mary often says, we couldn't enjoy our city the rest of the year if it wasn't for the various cultural activities that bring in the tourists during the summer months. I think it's a fair trade.

Later in the day Mary and I walked to our favorite watering hole and got a table, something that was near impossible during the fest. On the way back, we visited the newly opened bread purveyor and picked up a loaf of Polish rye. Another of those perks we get because of the tourists. When we got home, Sugar and I spent some time in the "Bone Zone."

Today, not much to do that can't wait, especially if it rains as predicted. In fact, nothing but some guitar practice. What's not to like?

In sports, the boys in blue continued down the path to oblivion, losing to the Dodgers, 0 - 1. The Tigers took 12 innings, but they defeated that other team from Chicago, 3 - 2. My beloved Red Sox once again sent the D-backs to their rightful place, in a 4 - 0 win. They maintained their one game lead over the Rays. The Caps trounced the Dragons from Dayton, 10 - 3. All in all, mostly a good day in baseball.

Now for some additional pictures from the parade.

We're glad they came. The Red Flannel Festival is held in Cedar Springs, MI to honor their lumbering history. Cedar Springs is about 20 minutes north of Grand Rapids.

Who knew that the CG had an official lawn mower?

A float from the festival which is held in Hart, near Shelby.

What's a parade without marching bands? Of course, this band is from our fair city.

Shelby, MI is about 40 miles north, near Hart.

The band from Shelby.

This band always closes out the parade. Scottville is about 70 miles north.

A special shout out to Debbie. Our condolences on the passing of your mother. Mere words cannot mend, but you'll always have the memories, they never pass away.

Good morning GH. We've just passed 6:30 AM here in "The City" and the temperature is a brisk 59 degrees. Sugar the Weather Dog is out of her hide-e-hole now. More about that later. No precipitation on the horizon until Monday's 40%.

On Saturday, Sugar took me for a walk in the AM to the bank where she and I made withdrawals, while Mary made those Deviled eggs I mentioned. There were so many people in town for the Coast Guard Parade and the craft show, that Sugar didn't know which way to turn. Fortunately we made it home without incident, and then Mary and I were off to the parade ourselves. That's where her Deviled eggs come into the story. They were a hit at the barber shop and all were soon devoured. I think they were her best effort to date, and this coming from someone who never ate them in the past.

We spent about three to four hours at the parade viewing and I took so many pictures that I ran out of both space on my memory card and battery power. I'll share those pictures over the next few blogs, as there are so many from which to choose. Later we watched the people exiting town after the parade, from the GH channel.

This might be good spot for some of those parade pictures.

This is Wally "enjoying the parade.

A large "Coastie."

What's a CG parade without one of our Harbor Trolleys

The CG Color Guard steps it off

Yes, they were

Duh

The first of one of our many local bands in the Tri-Cities area.

A bar stool pulling a lion

Why not?

Like I said, way too many pictures for one blog, so more tomorrow.

Also later that same day, well actually in the late evening, I convinced Mary to join me at the fireworks show that always culminates the Coast Guard Fest. We didn't bring chairs on which to sit, but that "minimalist"approach as Mary dubbed, it allowed us to leave at the end of the show. and arrive home in time to watch the auto and foot traffic post show. That traffic lasted about 2 two hours, maybe more. It took poor Sugar about that ong to calm down after the noise of the fireworks.


In sports, the boys in blue fell to the Dodgers, 0 - 3, while the Tigers defeated that other Chicago team by the same score reversed, 3 - 0. My beloved Red Sox powered past the D-backs 5 - 2 to remain one game ahead of the Rays. The Caps lost to the Dragons of Dayton, 3 - 5.

Tea time awaits as does more nap time. Ciao

Good morning GH. The day is dawning here in "The City" and if the weather report is accurate, it will be a beautiful day for a parade. The fog will burn off and the Sun will shine. Currently we have 57 degrees as we head for a high of 75. The chance of precipitation is only 20% for the annual Coast Guard Fest Parade. I'll be there and taking pictures with any luck, so in my next blog, I'll share those.

Yesterday, I was still feeling out of sorts in the AM, but as the day wore on, I began to feel better. I think that my malaise was caused by some food poisoning. At any rate, Sugar and I took a walk in the morning with Mary and then she and I finished the final edit on her current project prior to submission. By the time the afternoon rolled around, I felt just fine and we traveled to Holland to drop off our puzzle for framing and then go to the grocery store.

When we returned, we spent some time going through the annual Craft Fair that accompanies the Coast Guard Fest. For those of you in the know, think Wa-Zha-Wa and you've got Coast Guard Fest . We also stopped in at the post and saw the folks there. Thus, we never made it to the Waterfront Stadium to see the Beatles interpreter band. Oh well. Then we came home and I soon fell asleep.

Mary spied something that she wants for her garden at the craft fair, so if she still wants it this morning, we'll journey back and pick it up. First, Sugar the Weather Dog and I will go for a walk and then stop for some fresh cash at the bank. If all goes well, Mary will be making some Deviled eggs while we're gone, before we go out for the parade. We will be stopping by my barber's for the parade and Mary hates to go empty handed. After that I'll be ready for some rest time.

In sports, the boys in blue fell to the Dodgers 2 - 6. The Tigers eked out a win, 2 - 1 over that other Chicago team. They play again tonight. My beloved Red Sox, fell to the D-backs 6 - 7, but they still lead the Rays by one full game. Today, they will send Jake Peavy to the mound to face those same D-backs. The Caps were postponed by rain.

So, without further ado and with much to do, time to get on with my day. Ciao

Good morning GH. We have a current temperature of 67 degrees under cloudy skies in "The City." Our expected high today is 76 and we have a 30% chance of isolated T-storms. Strangely though, the sun is coming up while we are currently experiencing rain. Sugar the Weather Dog has not stirred, so those T-storms must not be nearby. The weather sure has been interesting lately.

Yesterday I was feeling a bit under the weather myself. Nothing serious, but enough to keep me indoors and put a limit on my activities. I feel better today, but that just means that I will still take it easy today, so that I can fully regain my strength. One of the really great things about being retired is that there is no rush to get anything done today as there is always tomorrow.

While my health issues of the recent past have taught me that life is indeed finite, I also have come to appreciate the things that really are important. Family and friends are far more important that wealth and things. It really is true that you can't take it with, you can only live for today and then leave the rest to your heirs. Sure, I think you need to plan for your old age, but no one really knows what that will look like. Life offers no guarantees. But I am getting maudlin, so on with today.

We plan to go to the Waterfront Stadium for a tribute band concert tonight. However, since that is an outdoor event, the weather will get a say on that. I have to help Mary finish her current project today, something that I have been doing over the last few days, and then I am free. No outdoor watering required and no outdoor painting allowed. : - ) I also can't ride my bike today with the rain, but since it is Coast Guard Fest time, I don'd ride anyway with all of the extra traffic that comes into town. Riding these days is for pleasure, not distance, so like all things, it can wait.

In sports, the Tigers and the Red Sox had the day off. The boys in blue should have, as they dropped a 4 - 6 game to the Dodgers, despite four home runs. Of course, that smacks of the old team that relied heavily on home runs and failed to hold the other team down or score when they had runners on base. The Caps dropped a game to the Loons, 1 - 7.

So, it will soon be...Tea time, time to let Sugar take me for a walk, and time for some editing. Therefore, back to the comfort that a warm bed brings. Ciao.

Good morning GH. Just after 6:00 AM now, and "The City" is just beginning to awaken. Nice breeze coming in the Weather Window, well actually that's the warm inside air going out, and the expectations for today are 75 and sunny. Not bad for August 1.

Yesterday was a fun day. We did make it to the music venue last evening that was showcasing the local band and as predicted, they were tight. It was just beginning to rain when we left, so that hopefully means that I won't have to water today. We also journeyed to Holland yesterday afternoon in search of a frame for my puzzle and got an estimated cost of $50.00. We'll check locally to see if they can be somewhere near that number.

Today, I'll get to that editing for Mary that I didn't do yesterday and then play Bridget and Blue some. Like all things, when you are retired, there is always tomorrow, except for things with a firm deadline. Otherwise not much else on tap.

In sports, the boys in blue salvaged one game out of their four over the Brewers, 6 - 1 The Brewers are the only team in their division that is worse than they. The Tigers crushed the Nationals 11 - 1, and my beloved Red Sox won 5 - 4, to regain the top spot in their division by .5 games over the Rays. The Caps once again defeated the Loons, this time 3 - 1.

Now, back to bed and then...Tea time. Ciao.