Good morning, good evening, wherever you may be in "The City" and its environs. It is just past 1:30 a.m. and the current temperature is 66° as we drop to our overnight low of 59°. The next few days will be sunny with temperatures in the low 80s and only a slight chance of rain. I guess that means that I"ll be back out with the water hose on Saturday. For those who like outdoor activities, that's good, for me, it means watering. Sigh.

I have no P/T appointment after all today. My therapist is unable to come into the office, so I am rescheduled for next Tuesday. I have an early appointment next Monday with the back doctor. I wish that I had a consistent report to give to him. The aches in my back have good days and bad. I can live with the pain, but it would be nice if it was a consistent ache that I could manage. The pain seems to move around and the intensity seems to change too.

I did a lot of work in the fields of the palatial estate on Wednesday afternoon. I probably overdid it. When coupled with the walk we took to the favorite watering hole in the evening, it was probably too much. The muscle relaxant that the doctor prescribed at my last visit didn't/doesn't seem to do much, if anything. I recognize that he was trying a drug with the least side effects, but a drug that worked would be better. My new lumbar support arrives today. Hopefully that will help. Right now I am using a small pillow as a substitute. The exercises that the therapist prescribed have helped, but they too are not totally effective at relieving the pain. When we visited the racetrack a few weeks ago, I had no pain and now it's back. Go figure. If this is all there is, I'll work with it, but I am hoping that there is a non-surgical something. I would have to be desperate to go the surgical route any time soon. I'm not there, yet.

Tonight I have that rehearsal for our Irish Jam. We are supposed to be welcoming the pirates as they come to GH. I can do it if the pain I am feeling right now isn't any worse. I guess that I'll have to take a wait and see attitude.

In sports, the boys in blue fell into their old ways once again on Wednesday night, as they lost to the Rockies, 4 - 13. My beloved Red Sox eked out a win over the Cardinals 2 - 1. The Tigers lost to the Yankees 1 - 5. While still leading their division, they need to put together a longer win streak than one game so that the playoffs are not a one and done affair. The Caps are doing what most "A" level teams do, learning. As a result, they lost to the Lake County Captains, 0 - 3.

I am up to page 127 in my highlighting efforts. If I maintain my current pace, I'll finish ahead of schedule while learning something new along the way. Mary is making steady progress on her current project. She is still on schedule to deliver it to her editor by Saturday.

Today I will practice with the girls a bit more. More practice equals better playing. There's a surprise. I'll also walk with Sugar the Weather Dog this morning as she enjoys the sunshine. She had a good visit to her doctor yesterday and received a clean bill of health. She likes her current food, so as long as it is producing positive results on her tests, we'll stay with it. It seems expensive up front, but at one cup per day, it lasts a long time. After our walk, it's back for more newspaper reading, more highlighting, more crossword puzzle solving, and more practice with the girls. If all goes well, I'll go to that practice session with the Irish Jam group in the park later. Tomorrow, the "performance" itself.

The sun will rise today at 6:37 a.m. and set at 8:59 p.m. In between the morning walk and the evening rehearsal, I'm in. Ciao.

Good morning, good evening, wherever you may be in "The City." It is just past 2:30 a.m. and the current temperature is 67°, as we roll towards a low of 59°. Once the sun rises at 6:37 a.m., the temperature will begin to rebound to 71°, which will repeat itself over and over for the next few days. Sugar the Weather Dog was queried about the forecast for T-storms on Tuesday, and she confirmed my personal forecast that the rains would pass us by. So that means it's back to the hose to apply water to the gardens today. That will happen after Sugar and I return from her doctor following her 10:00 a.m. appointment.

I missed the earlier southbound run of the train, and I am hoping to be back in bed before the northbound run. With the improving economy, the trains have been growing in length and the mix of cars is ever changing.

In sports, the boys in blue are on a roll. They have won four out of five, and last night they beat the Rockies in 12 innings, 6 - 5. On the strength of home runs by catcher Wellington Castillo, and a towering drive by newly called-up rookie Javier Baez, playing in his first major league game, they are on the move. With his family watching, Baez got off to a rocky start, striking out in three of his first five at bats. But when he got the pitch he was looking for, it was long gone over the wall. Here's hoping that this is the first of many. My beloved Red Sox fell to the Cardinals, 2 - 3. Fortunately, the  Tigers beat the Yankees 4 - 3 to make me feel better. The Caps lost to the Lake County Captains, 2 - 3.

Yesterday I went to my P/T appointment. I rode my bicycle and the appointment went well. My therapist suggested that I order a lumbar support cushion for my office chair to aid in my posture, which I did. It will arrive on Thursday. He also suggested that I raise the height of my computer. After consulting with Mary, we placed a box most recently containing a batch of printing underneath, and that raised the computer by about two inches. Cost, nothing. Good feeling, everything, as we re-purposed a box that called out for some new use. Mary's ingenuity and thriftiness saved us $20.00 and kept a box out of the landfill. A little leftover fabric will bring it fully into vogue.

Meanwhile, I am endeavoring to improve my posture before the lumbar support arrives, by concentrating on sitting upright and using the timing program that Mary had me get from the internet. For years, I have slouched when working on my computer or at my desk. I get up every 20 minutes and that in itself is a good thing. I was also advised by the therapist to get up after every song or two when playing the girls. I use a tall stool, so though inconvenient, it is a simple thing to do. I suspect that Adam's therapist has given him similar advice too regarding desk height etc. Since he and I are taller than the average desk was built to accommodate, we share some similar aches and pains.

Once again yesterday, I had lunch at the hospital cafeteria salad bar. I used to exist on salad bars when I was going to college, and I still enjoy the variety of choice. Mary creates a tasty salad bar too, often using the bounty from our gardens, but her choices are of necessity, limited. I may do salad bar again following Thursday's P/T appointment.

Our garden continues to yield a bountiful harvest. Soon, the cucumbers will be coming in to join the tomatoes, green beans and hopefully, the green peppers. For a picture of one of our recent harvests, check Mary's blog at http://marygoeswalking.blogspot.com, for Sunday August 3, 2014, as well as future postings. My task is to grow and water. Mary cooks and chronicles the harvests.

I got started on my highlighting for Mary yesterday. It seems like it will be an interesting book. By the time I walked with Sugar, read the newspaper, got back from my appointment, voted in the primary, and got started on that highlighting, the day was mostly gone. Busy, busy, busy.

Last night I walked over to Central Park to see the Sea Cruzers play old time rock and roll. I stayed for about an hour, and then headed home to watch a movie with Mary. As usual, I fell asleep and then I was off to bed until just a short time ago.

Once Sugar and I get back this morning, I'll read the paper, do more highlighting, and play the girls a bit. If I highlight for about two hours each day. I should be able to get the work done on schedule. The sun will reliably set at 8:59 p.m. I'll watch some TV and then it will once again be time for bed. Like I've said before, retirement is such a busy time of life. Ciao.

Good morning, good evening, wherever you may be in "The City" or its environs. It is just after 4:30 a.m. and the current temperature is 67° as we drop to our overnight low of 59° The chance for scattered T-storms today increases to 40% by 8:00 a.m. and then continues to rise until 3:00 p.m., when it once again recedes to about 20% for the balance of the day/evening. In other words, although the view out the Weather Window is dark with a side of dark, Sugar the Weather Dog should have only the middle of the day as her problem. That is if, and I do mean if, the weather forecast is any where near accurate. You know how I feel about that. It is a good thing that I watered the gardens on the palatial estate yesterday.

Speaking of that forecast for T-storms, I have a P/T appointment today scheduled for 11:30 a.m. My plans call for  me to ride my bicycle, so if the forecast is accurate, I'll make it without a problem. But since the forecast is iffy, I'll check with Sugar and then make my plans. I tell anyone that my appointments are not firm until I check with the Weather Dog. She is generally accurate to within  about one-half an hour.

Sugar is also a good judge of people. If she doesn't like someone, there is probably a good reason. It has taken her nearly three years, but she is now desirous of seeing our local letter carrier, not any of his substitutes mind you. Then only until she gets close, at which time she doesn't bark, wants to be petted, but them turns shy and moves away. We figure that by the time we've been her another two years or so, she will be his.

In sports today, the boys in blue had the day off and play the Rockies tonight. My beloved Red Sox also had the day off on Monday and they too play this evening against the Cardinals. The Tigers fell to the Yankees 1 - 2. They still lead their division by 4.5 games over the Royals. The Caps are coming off a win on Monday over the Lake County Captains, 5 - 4.

I did get in some playing time with the girls yesterday. Abaigeal continues to delight. Her tone or timbre is wonderful and she is easy to play. She is the perfect addition to the family. I also read the Grand Haven Tribune and completed the weekend crossword, in addition to the crossword from Monday's paper. Naturally the paper was chock full of stories regarding the just concluded Coast Guard Festival™. I think that Mary's pictures, which can be found at her blog marygoeswalking.blogspot.com, are on a par with the professional pictures from the newspaper. But like Adam says, I am biased.

Mary did some laundry and used her drying rack to dry everything, using only the sun and the wind. An excellent use of natural resources. I think she was trying to get her head around the way to proceed on her current project. She says I should have that project for editing by Friday or Saturday at the latest.

In train news, I missed the southbound run, but I was here to witness the northbound run as it passed by the Train Spotting Window. The regular cadre of locomotives followed by 15 covered covered hopper cars, a black tank car, 23 more covered hopper cars, another black tank car, and then nine open and very rusty regular hopper cars brought up the rear. Various livery was seen on the covered hopper cars of differing dimensions. Some of the covered hopper cars are leased from a famous rail services co. Others belong to a large firm out of Florida that operates in the eastern U.S. The rusty cars were too rusty to I.D. The black tank cars went by before I could I.D. them. Maybe next time.

Today I have that P/T appointment and I have a call into Sugars doctor for a follow-up blood test. I'd like that to take place on Wednesday, but anything that doesn't conflict with my P/T is fine, since Sugar and I will be walking to her doctor. She has been fine, but I like to play it safe when it comes to our fur child.

That looks like enough for today. A bit more time with the girls, a little more reading of the newspaper and books, and the day will be done. I had to return some books because Mary and I will be too busy to read then right now. The sun will rise at 6:37 a.m. and set at 8:59 p.m. The days are indeed getting shorter. Ciao.

Good morning, good evening, wherever you may be in "The City" or its environs. It is just past 2:00 a.m., and the current temperature is 66° as we head down to a low of 62°. The view out the Weather Window is dark. No lightning nor cars on this early Monday morning. The sun will be rising at 6:35 a.m. and setting at 9:01 p.m. in our post Coast Guard Festival™ city. Things are once again a bit quieter here in our little corner of the world. We love hosting the festival, but a breather is in store. We are still in tourist season, so we have plenty of visitors to our fair city. Don't forget to visit marygoeswalking.blogspot.com for more pictures, and Mary's unique slant on what is happening or has happened in GH, including the Coast Guard Festival™ and the Grand Parade. I like her pictures better.

Next up is the Michigan Pirate Festival. Pirate re-enactors from the historical to the fanciful sail into our city to the delight of  both young and old. Our Irish Jam musicians will be there to help welcome the pirates. The Loutit District Library along with Harbor Island, will be home to the pirates for several days. More fun activities and visitors to GH. Sidewalk sales, Art on the Riverfront, and Walk the Beat follow shortly thereafter. Walk the Beat brings together hundreds of musicians and offers prizes at many venues in the Tri Cities area for those musicians. It should be fun.

I heard the southbound train go by earlier, but I didn't feel like getting up to look.

In sports, the boys in blue took two out of three from the Dodgers, beating them 7 - 3 Sunday afternoon. An all too rare win for hard luck pitcher Edwin Jackson. My beloved Red Sox fell to the Yankees, 7 - 8 Sunday night. The Tigers swept the Rockies with a final game score of 4 - 0 Sunday afternoon. The Caps were not as fortunate Sunday afternoon, as they dropped two of three to the Ft. Wayne Tin Caps, this time 3 - 5.

Looks like I'll be watering again today. In spite of that forecast for rain on Tuesday, I know the right thing to do is water the gardens on the palatial estate. If I do, it may rain. If I don't, it won't. Is that a silly, superstitious way to look at things? Probably, but here in GH, I don't count on the weather forecast much anymore.

Otherwise, with the exception of watering, not much is expected to happen today. I will read the Grand Haven Tribune after I return from my morning walk with Sugar the Weather Dog. I have numerous books o choose from after that. Plus, the girls are always there for me. I also have to go back to my highlighting job. I've been prepaid for my efforts, so I can't delay for too long. It is also time to pull in the Coast Guard flag from the eaves for another year. That should be enough for today. Ciao

Good morning, good evening, wherever you may be in the world or the universe, or at least in "The City." It is just past 5:30 a.m. and the current temperature is 54°, coincidentally the low that was forecast for this early morning. The temperature is expected to rise to the lower 70s today, tomorrow, and the day after that. By Tuesday, there is a 50% chance of showers. So with that in mind, I watered on Saturday morning.

Yesterday was the final day of Coast Guard Festival 2014™. Naturally, we had to go over to the barbershop to see the parade and I have some pictures to share Mary has some too, which she will share in future blogs. The weather was superb, the parade was great, and the fireworks later were spectacular. In short, what's not to like?

After walking Sugar the Weather Dog first thing, I came home to find Mary struggling with her deviled eggs. I would go so far as to say that they were giving her a devil of a time. It seems as though the eggs wouldn't get hard boiled. Once, twice, three times and then voila, they were done. With a quick mix of ingredients, she crafted the deviled eggs, transferred then to the serving tray, and we were off to the Grand Parade. The eggs quickly vanished at the gathering. We listened to Lew Russ serenade the crowd and then it was time for the parade. Many dignitaries, many floats, lots of local high school bands, the Coast Guard Pipe Band, and lots of handouts for the children. What's not to like? A few pictures right now seem in order.

Every parade needs a cow.

The Coast Guard Pipe Band.

Adam would say that all parades need Mustangs, so the Mustang club obliged. 

Just in case you didn't know.

Coast Guard dignitaries.

A great local pizza restaurant.

Other pictures have too many "small people" to include on my blog, sorry.

In sports, the boys in blue went back to their old ways, losing to the Dodgers 2 - 5. My beloved Red Sox fell to the Yankees, 4 - 6. The Tigers crushed the Rockies, 11 - 5. Unfortunately, the Caps fell to the Ft. Wayne Tin Caps, 0 - 6.

In other news, our neighbor got the wall torn down in the back forty. A little masonry repair, and a new fence, and he will have it all done. It already looks better. I think Mary took some pictures. Once home, it was time to have dinner and then fall asleep, at least for me. Mary got me up later so that I could view the culminating fireworks display. Eat your hearts out SoHa, but I think that these fireworks were probably better. Thousands, maybe tens of thousands,  flocked to our little city for the final day of the festival and then stayed for the fireworks extravaganza. When the fireworks were over, Mary and I retreated to our front porch to watch the exodus from our city. The people were wonderful, no horns were honked, and no problems occurred during the nearly one and one half hour mass exodus. We hope the people can make it again next year for the 2015 Coast Guard Festival™.

Today, a walk with Sugar the Weather Dog, who unsurprisingly spent some time in her hide-e-hole last night as the fireworks roared. Also some time to read the newspaper and play the girls. That's about it. The sun will be rising shortly at 6:35 a.m. and setting later at 9:01 p.m. Mary has to get to work on her latest project and I have to finish my last bowlful of Kellogg's Cornflakes™. The Kellogg company has a Michigan heritage. Ciao.

Good morning GH. It is fast approaching 6:15 a.m. in "The City." The current temperature during this last day of Coast Guard Festival™ 2014, is 59­° as we head towards an overnight low of 56°, Weather forecasts call for a rebound into the lower 70s for the start of the annual Coast Guard Festival™ parade, which steps off around 11:00 a.m. For a city of about 11,000 in population much of the year, the festival will have drawn several hundred thousand people to our fair city over the course of the 10 day festival. The people come for the carnival, the food, the finally sunny and warm weather, and of course this morning's parade and tonight's culminating fireworks display. Mixed into all of that, there has been some outstanding entertainment in the many venues that our city has to offer. We also have the craft fair in Central Park. I'll let Mary describe that.

Suffice it to say that Sugar the Weather Dog will be in her Thundershirt™ and hiding in one of her hide-e-holes tonight by the time the fireworks begin. Mary and I will watch part of the show from Washington Ave, and then head for our front porch to watch the real entertainment, the thousands of people trying to leave GH afterwards.

Speaking of the intrepid weather dog, we learned yesterday that she isn't fond of bagpipe music. While Mary and I like the sound, it must be excruciating to Sugar's ears. When we went for a walk yesterday morning and detoured past the municipal building, we heard the sound of the Coast Guard bagpipe band. Sugar reacted like they were setting off fireworks when Mary ran home to get her camera while the band was taking a break. Before Mary returned, the band started up again, and Sugar was pulling for home. Once Mary returned and we got closer, the band stopped again, and Sugar was okay. When the band began anew, all bets were off and Sugar was once again pulling in any direction that led away from that awful sound. She was quick about her business and we let her get home. Who knew?

In other news, we walked over to get some things printed at the local stationary big-box store and then to the big-box hardware and building materials store to get some things. With the exception of crossing Beacon, (Rte. 31), the trip was uneventful. Tonight I wouldn't try to cross that way again. Tomorrow, all will be quiet once more. Later in the day we walked downtown, stopped at the bakery, and then had dinner at the favorite watering hole, a busy, busy place. Finally off to the Post to see Sally et al. A few adult beverages, some good conversation, and it was time to get homeward bound.

I fell asleep in my chair downstairs and Mary woke me to offer a light snack she had procured. It wasn't long before she and I went upstairs. Mary decided to watch a movie and I decided it was time for bed. No trains last night nor this morning, just the sound of the street sweeper clearing the debris from yesterday. The sun is on the rise as I can now see the clean streets out the Weather Window.

In sports, the boys in blue are on a roll, defeating the Dodgers, 8 - 2. My beloved Red Sox marshaled their forces to defeat the Yankees, 4 - 3. No matter where the Red Sox are in the standings, beating the Yankees is always a good feeling. The Tigers found an easy nemesis in the Rockies, as they beat them, 4 - 2. Finally the Caps rolled over the Ft. Wayne Tin Caps, 5 -2. All in all, a good day in baseball.

For today, the sun will be rising at 6:35, about 20 minutes from now. Mary will make the deviled eggs that she had planned to do yesterday, I'll walk Sugar, and then return to water the balance of the gardens on the palatial estate. We'll journey over to the barber shop to watch the parade and then and then home for some R & R., reading the newspaper, reading in general, and playing the girls. Once Old Sol sets at 9:04 p.m., the Musical Fountain will follow around 10:00 p.m. with a special pre-fireworks display and then the action begins. As I noted earlier, we'll be home before the show is completely over.

That looks like a pretty full day for us. I'll have to stop in the kitchen to watch Mary boiling eggs and making deviled eggs after I am done watering. I also have to install a new seat on the toilet. I guess they don't last forever. Ciao.

Good morning GH. It is just past 6:30 a.m. in "The City" and that is obviously later, or earlier, than I usually sit down at the keyboard. I was out late last night to attend a concert by a Beatles™ tribute band called Toppermost at the waterfront stadium. I'll tell you more you about that later, along with a few pictures. Currently our temperature is 61°. Sunrise occurred at 6:33 a.m. Sunset will happen at 9:04 p.m., one forecast that is scientifically accurate. Today's high of 71° with sunny skies and a 10% or less chance of rain is pretty much forecast to continue through the Coast Guard Festival™ Grand Parade tomorrow and on into Sunday.

We know what that means don't we? In the category of Jack's daily activities, this is the appropriate question. Alex, what is watering the gardens on the palatial estate? Before I water, I'll stick my fingers into the soil to assess the moisture level, and then I may be able to put that activity off until Saturday. That will conflict with the parade activities, but I should be able to do both.

I slept so well last night/this morning, that I never heard the train go by in either direction. That's okay with me.

But let me get back to yesterday's activities. I did get in my final orthopedic appointment for my knees. That's done for another six to seven months. I'll have the doctor give my shoulder the requisite one year check at the same time I return for my next knee treatment. I skipped the P/T appointment due to circumstances beyond my control. While I was out, Mary went to the big-box everything store. I heard that the trip went well overall, except for some minor impediments. She is getting the lay of the store and parking lot more with each visit. Soon, she may be able to get out of there in less than one hour.

Later in the day, I transcribed a song I wanted to learn and played on Abaigael at the same time. Two days into her new home and she still sounds great. As the afternoon progressed, I read a bit from Profiles in Courage, by President John F. Kennedy, written first in 1955. Much of what I have read so far is eerily parallel to today's governmental activities. I'm hoping that the stories and essays that I haven't read in many years become more upbeat as the pages turn.

As the afternoon turned into evening, we sallied forth to the Post to see Sally and the fine people there. A pair of bratwurst sandwiches that included Cole slaw and French fries, accompanied by a few Red Solo™ cups filled with adult beverages, and Mary and I were fortified for the appearance by Toppermost. We did stroll the waterfront for a short time before that concert, but then it was time to settle into the waterfront stadium. What a great time. The band was loose and the concertgoers all had a great time dancing and singing along for nearly two non-stop hours of music. At the end of the blog, I'll add those pictures.

In sports, the boys in blue are moving on up, defeating the Rockies 3 - 1. My beloved Red Sox did not play, but they did trade another starting pitcher, this time to the Cardinals, following another member of their starting pitching staff to Oakland earlier. The Tigers fell 4 - 7 to that other team from Chicago. I am officially worried now. However, their general manager did complete a trade that sent the Tiger's starting center fielder, Austin Jackson to Tampa Bay for the Ray's ace, David Price. The Tiger's also had to give up promising left handed pitcher, Drew Smyly. The Caps defeated Lake County's Captains, 5 - 4.

Today, not much on tap other than walking with Sugar the Weather Dog and watching Mary prepare some deviled eggs for Saturday's parade gathering. I''ll also watch as my neighbor works to tear down a crumbling wall that separates his back yard from the palatial estate. I like to watch other people work. Because of the layout of both yards, it is a very labor intensive activity that won't allow for the use of power equipment. I guess that's what is meant by "Sweat Equity." That's about the extent of my activities for today. Now on to the pictures of last night's concert. Ciao.

A solid interpretation

This band is based in Michigan, near Detroit.

A pretty good John. I think he played and sang well.

This is their George. He was quite good.

This is why we have the Coat Guard Festival™

As darkness fell, the lights took over the effects on stage.

He sang like Paul, but played right handed. I don't think it made any difference. I hope they come back next year..