Good morning or good evening, wherever you may be. It is nearing 3:00 a.m. in "The City."

To quote Harry Caray, "Cubs Win!  Cubs Win!  Cubs Win!"

That makes it three in a row to open the 2016 MLB season, and the first time that the boys have won that many in a row to open a season since 1995. The boys got off to a rough start as John Lackey was a bit off his game at the beginning. However he toughed it out to get the win, and the Cubs went on to score 14 in a 14 - 6 win over the D'Backs. Anthony Rizzo had a six RBI game as the boys turned it into a romp. One note of concern, Kyle Schwarber went down with a leg injury after a collision with Dexter Fowler in the outfield. As of now, x-rays on his ankle are negative, but an MRI on his knee is scheduled for later today.

The Tigers home opener against the Yankees is set for a chilly Comerica Park tonight. They are coming off two wins in Miami against the Marlins. My beloved Red Sox were postponed in Cleveland due to the weather.

I got a late start on my blog this morning, as I went down what Mary calls a wormhole, spending about one hour revising some music after listening to the Cubs game on the radio. I felt like a kid again, listening to a ballgame from out west on the radio. Revising that music was a labor of love.

We set out for some errands yesterday afternoon following a lunch of patty melts and potato salad. Mary felt that the potato salad was too sweet, but I liked it. However, I try not to disagree with the chief cook and bottle washer.

We discovered that the garage door was malfunctioning when we tried to raise it. I had to provide a manual assist. For reasons that I don't understand, there are some cables that help to the coil spring lift the door that came off their pulleys. We have a service call scheduled for first thing this morning.

I never made it to the guitar store yesterday, so I plan to do that today after the garage door service and the morning safari with STWD. Plus, I hope to make it to the man-cave to make the risers for my desk as the chiropractor suggested. More reading is also on my agenda while Mary works, chats, and prepares the meals. Hmmm, I think I have the better plan.

There are likely to be trains today, but there weren't any last Friday, so I don't know for sure.

The current temperature is 32° according to my desktop weather station with its front porch sensor. The NWS, according to Weather.com, says the temperature is 26°, but that it feels like 20° before we reach today's high of 38° with a 70% chance of precipitation and 20 mph winds. It won't be until tax day, April 15, that we reach the upper 50s.

Otherwise, not much is happening. The sun will rise at 7:14 a.m. and set at 8:20 p.m. Ciao.

Good morning or good evening, wherever you may be. It is just after 12:00 a.m. in "The City."

That dire forecast for yesterday's weather never came to fruition. No snow, nor sleet, but lot's of rain here in GH. It seems that all of the bad stuff went north of "The City." That's okay by me. As of now, we have a current temperature of 39 degrees that feels like 32. We are hoping that today's' high will reach the 41° forecast.

I watched the southbound train pass by yesterday at 10:47 a.m. Locomotives 2019 and 2057 were towing a mix of cars that included two BCs, 15 CHCs, two DBTCs, one GTC, and three DWTCs bringing up the rear. All of the cars were unloaded judging by their swaying motion on rails of the reality scale train board. At shortly after 4:00 p.m., Mary and I were sitting in JWs eating dinner after my chiropractor's appointment, and we heard the train heading north. I can't report about the cars and their numbers, but I could tell that these cars were fully loaded.

Speaking of that chiropractor's appointment, it went well. My ribs seem to be healing from that bad bruise I got several weeks ago in FL, As is generally the case, my posture became the topic of discussion. My slouching posture is not a good thing, tell me something that I didn't already know. However, my acquiescence to lower back pain has produced some problems with my hip. More appointments to come. Oh, as Adam knows about workspaces in general and mine in particular, since I am tall, my desk is too low and I have to find a way to raise it a few inches to improve my sitting position. I'll have to explore my options in the man-cave.

I got all of my indoor chores done yesterday, so today I get some time to read more of Montezuma's Ferrari. I have other books to read on the shelf, so It will be a few weeks until I get back to the series that I am totally enjoying. I also will spend some additional but limited time with the girls too.

Speaking of the girls, I never got to the guitar store, so that is on tap for today as my only outdoor activity other than the morning walk with STWD. We walked between the raindrops yesterday, but it was an abbreviated sojourn after an early lunch. Afterwards, the representative came to give us some input on the replacement of the part of the sidewalk that is not being replaced by "The City."

By the by, while we were out, in the late afternoon, someone from Miss Dig, our version of JULIE, came by to mark the location of part of the utilities that could be impacted by the sidewalk work. I believe that there are more marking sessions to come for other underground utilities. Soon, the parkway will be very colorful, as flags sprout from the grass to mark water and sewer mains in addition to the gas mains.

Monday, we learned that the driveway will be out of commission for about one week as the concrete cures. Alternate parking will be arranged in the nearby city owned lot near public safety.

Yesterday the boys in blue, AKA the Cubs, had the day off as they traveled to AZ for their series against the D'Backs. That begins tonight with newly acquired pitcher John Lackey on the mound. If the boys can win three in a row, it will be the first time in 28 years that they have started a season that strongly. The Tigers in a much improved performance, defeated the Marlins 7 - 3. My beloved Red Sox fell to the Indians, by a score of 6 - 7.

So that looks like enough for now. The sun will rise at 7:16 a.m. and set at 8:19 p.m. after a day with a 40% chance of snow and rain and winds that may gust to over 40 mph. Ciao.

Good mornig or good evening, wherever you may be. It is just past 3:30 a.m. in "The City", on an early morning where the NWS has issued a Winter Weather Advisory that is in effect from 10:00 p.m. last night until 2:00 p.m. today. They are predicting a 100% chance chance of snow, sleet and freezing rain accompanied by thunder. A quick glance out the WW and a look at my indoor weather station with its porch mounted sensor, and I already see a flaw in the forecast. Nothing is falling from the sky and the streets outside are dry. That's not to say that the NWS is wrong, but the accuracy of their forecast is in question.

But I digress, We have a current temperature of 38° that feels like 30° before we see today's forecast high of 44°. So, it is a wait and see here in GH. STWD will not be happy if the forecast turns out to be accurate, albeit premature.

We did get our new awning installed yesterday on what was a cool but pleasant day. We think it looks terrific. Here is a picture. 

We think we chose wisely with the vertical stripes in green centered between the shutters.

The awning was necessitated by the removal of the diseased and dying tree in the parkway, which sprang from the root broken and buckled sidewalks and driveway ramp that will be replaced in the next few weeks. In any event, things are moving along. As you may notice, when I took this picture, the skies were blue and the sun was shining. That meant that our scheduled meeting with the Director of Public Works and his assistant came off as planned. We all came to an understanding of what is needed and when it will come to pass. 

Well ladies and gentlemen and other interested parties, as you know, the MLB season started this week. The boys in blue, AKA the Cubs, are now 2 - 0 following another win in Anaheim, CA over the Angels, 6 - 1. Jon Lester looked like the ace pitcher that the Cubs signed last year, as he threw 93 pitches over seven innings of work, issued no walks, and fanned four, coupled with a three home run game to win his first of what we hope to be at least 20 games this year on the way to a World Series triumph.  

The Tigers endured 11 innings to win over the Marlins, 8 - 7. Their closer melted down, they left too many men on base in scoring position, and had two runners picked off. Fortunately, Ian Kinsler had a great night, getting four RBIs. My beloved Red Sox defeated the Indians, 6 - 2, as Big Papi, hit another home run in his final season. I guess that's a trifecta in baseball yesterday. 

I already told Adam that my MRI results are already back, and I have nothing to worry about. My previous health concerns that prompted me to get that MRI are no longer a concern. Now I can get on with the business of retirement, you know, the important things, like enjoying life with Mary, playing with the girls, reading, walking with the intrepid one, and visiting with the kids when possible. What's not to like?

This afternoon, I have an appointment at the chiropractor if it isn't storming. I suppose that the short walk to his office isn't a huge impediment, but like Sugar, I'm not much into getting rain, snow, and sleet blown in my face. However, only time will tell. At least I walk past the guitar store on the way, so I can stop in there and play a few licks. It is worthy of note, that I tried to make an earlier appointment to get a pre-surgical consultation with the orthopedic doctor regarding my thumb. Unfortunately, there are no earlier appointments available, so I'll have to stick with the one I have scheduled for my knees in early May.

Otherwise, a few indoor chores will keep me busy. I am 100% finished with my highlighting, so I am free to do other things. Mary has to work. 

The sun will rise at 7:18 a.m. and set at 8:18 p.m. Ciao.

Good morning or good evening. wherever you may be. It is just past 3:00 a.m. in "The City." A current temperature of 23° that feels like 15°, will give way to today's forecast high of 42° under sunny skies. Sadly, that sunny forecast will give way to rain this evening. For the foreseeable future, we won't see the temperature climb out of the 40s. Oh well, that's spring in MI.

Yesterday we got up early so that we could drive to GR for my MRI appointment. That meant that STWD and I had to get out early for our morning safari to the newspaper box. Unfortunately, we were too early at 7:30 a.m. In addition, someone dropped what I think was a large number of books into the dropbox at the library, so the intrepid one thought it was thunder and wanted to get home ASAP.

Mary and I got out after a quick breakfast of juices and an English muffin, mine with almond butter. The trip east to GR was mostly uneventful, unless you take into account the crazy people who were on their way to work and felt the need to pass into quickly approaching oncoming traffic. I guess that they felt an imaginary need to get to the promised land five seconds sooner. Fortunately, they didn't make it, so neither did we.

The MRI results won't be in for a few days. I'll keep you posted, although I don't anticipate any problems.

Since it was not a good day for walkabout in GR, we just stopped in at G.B. Russo and Son, a family run business in GR, that has specialized in all varieties of Italian and related type foods since 1905. Their wine selection is outstanding, as is their assortment of pastas, sauces, condiments and even kitchen utensils. Mary was totally overjoyed.

We made our way back to GH, with a stop at the Embassy Bar and Grill along the way. They have the best onion straws we've found in MI. Then home to the Palatial Estate and STWD. Dinner was pasta with a special sauce that Mary crafted over a two day period. Just the right amount of garlic, onions, tomato sauce and spices combined to make a delicious repast.

I only have a trainspot to report, as I only witnessed the northbound passage yesterday at 4:32 p.m. EMD GP 38 locomotives 2057 and 2019 were once again traversing the tracks of the reality scale train layout, with seven CHCs, six,, DBTCs, one GTC, three DWTCs loaded with HCL acid, and a lone BC at the rear.

I finished the Last Open Road  late Sunday night and I loved it. Thanks Adam. I'm now on to Montezuma's Ferrari, and it too is a great read. Maybe you have to be a car guy, but since I am, this is a joyful ride, so to speak.

I am also nearly done with my highlighting, having reached a 90% complete level. That's 252/281 pages.

For those of you who have been awaiting the balance of the MLB regular season openers, I have a little news. The boys in blue, AKA the Cubs, defeated the Angels in Anaheim late last night 9 - 0, behind a great pitching performance by Jake Arrieta, who tossed a two hit gem. Tonight, Jon Lester will face the Angels in game two. My beloved Red Sox were postponed and the Tigers open tonight in Miami. I heard that that other team from Chicago won also, but who cares? Oh, Villanova beat the Tar Heels of N.C on a crowd stunning, buzzer beating three point shot, 77 - 74.

I did get in some time with the girls late yesterday afternoon and it felt great. My thumb still needs repair, so I'll be making the appointment for surgery ASAP.

Not much is on tap for today except the usual mornig safari and then more highlighting, reading, and such. We have a meeting this afternoon with the head of the GH Public Works Dept. to discuss the sidewalk repairs in front of the Palatial Estate.

Speaking of construction, the public safety remodeling is nearly complete, but the landscapers decided that late yesterday afternoon was a good time to remove some concrete near the old entrance to the facility. That entailed pounding with an air hammer right next to the newly installed windows and brickwork at that facility. Plus, the pounding shook the Palatial Estate at its very foundation. Enough is enough already.

The sun will rise at 7:20 a.m. and set at 8:16 p.m. just after the opening of tonight's new episode of NCIS. Ciao.

Good morning or good evening, wherever you may be. It is just past 6:00 a.m. in "The City."

Yes, I am a bit tardy as compared to my normal blogging time, but sometime that's the way that life goes.

Yesterday we started out to go to a favorite garden center north of here by about 27 miles. That was after a hurried morning safari with STWD. However, the snow that was in the forecast from the NWS for the afternoon got an early start, so we turned back and stopped at the nearest big-box nearly everything store for a few things. By the time we got out to the parking lot, the snow was falling heavily, So that sent us scurrying home and that's where we stayed for the balance of the day. I even had to retrieve the snow shovel from the man-cave to clear the deck and the driveway.

I finished The Last Open Road, and I absolutely enjoyed every page, especially the descriptions of Elkhart Lake, WI and the races and places as they were in the 1950s. In my view, some of the places haven't changed much since then. Now I am ready for the next book in the series, Montezuma's Ferrari. I have to finish that book by April 13, or renew it if possible. Since it is on interlibrary loan from across the state, I don't know if that is possible. Somehow, I doubt that a book that was published over 25 years ago is in high demand.

Today, the regular Sunday morning activities. CBS Sunday Morning, bagels with vegan cream cheese, and Sugar at our feet, followed by the morning safari. What's not to like?

Don't forget, that the MLB regular season kicks off today. I really am born again, because as we all know, "Baseball is life!" The Cardinals and the Pirates open this afternoon in Pittsburgh at 1:05 p.m. EST. The Blue Jays will open against the Rays in Florida, where it is expected to be warmer at 4:05 p.m. EST, while the Royals and the Mets begin the season in Kansas City tonight at 8:37 p.m. EST. That looks like two out of three cold weather possibilities or even postponements. Tomorrow night, the Cubs open the season in Anaheim with a game against the Angels at 3:05 p.m. EST. I should be warm and snow free there, unlike here in the middle of the country, where it is a bit snowy and colder.

So, after we watch the regular Sunday morning programs and after I do some highlighting, and some reading, I'll settle down for some baseball.

If I don't get to blogging tomorrow morning, it will be because I am resting up for my final MRI scan later in the morning. This should be the final one that confirms what I already know, that I am just fine. But you can never be too careful. I will not know the results for several days or weeks if nothing is found, but that's fine with me. As the oft quoted they often say, "No news, is good news."

The current temperature is 26° that feels like 20°, before we reach today's high of 49° under partly cloudy skies. Tomorrow it will be a tad colder with a high of 37° under clear skies. We had hoped to do some tourist type things in GR while we are there, but the colder temperatures may preclude that. We'll see.

The sun will rise today at 7:23 a.m. and set at 8:14 p.m. Did I mention that, "Baseball time is here again?" Thanks to the late Steve Goodman for that lyric. Ciao.

Good morning or good evening, wherever you maybe. It is just past 12:00 a.m. in The City."

No trainspotting yesterday. Why? I don't know.

However, we took the morning safari with STWD and that was rather uneventful.

Afterwards, we walked to the local yarn store, Needlesmith LLC., to pick up some yarn for Mary's project. I get the leftovers for my attempt at knitting. How that will turn out, I don't know yet, but here's hoping.

I found time to go to the man-cave to do some cleaning, which included removing the remains of a dead bat. I also took time to hang my newly framed jigsaw puzzle. Here is a picture of it hanging in its new home on the wall next to the tool board that Adam installed several years ago,

As you may recall, Mary said it couldn't be on the main floors, so this placement amidst the tools seems perfect.

Today we have nothing particular on tap. More walking, more reading, more time with the girls, and more highlighting. I am currently on page 135 out of 281, so that means I am 48% done. I am way ahead of Mary, so I am certain that if the rain isn't too much of a factor, I might find time to do other things. 

The current temperature is 35° that feels like 28°. However, if the NWS is correct in their forecast, the high temperature of 39° later today with a 100% chance of snow when coupled with windy conditions, will likely make for a short morning walk and lots of indoor activities, such as that aforementioned return to knitting by yours truly.

We're almost there. The MLB season opens tomorrow in MO, with games in St. Louis in the afternoon, and a night game in Kansas City. The balance of the teams open on Monday, weather permitting. I know when my brother and I used to go to opening day at Wrigley Field, it was often cold, so that hasn't changed. However, the World Series™ regularly lasting until early November can also be on the cold side in many cities. 

The sun will rise at 7:27 a.m. and set at 8:12 p.m. Ciao.

Good morning or good evening, wherever you may be. It is just past 5:00 a.m. in "The City."

My computer seems to have a mind of its own. I came to my desk to find that it had shut itself down once again, in spite of the fact that the power settings don't seem to have that as a checked option. Either this machine is haunted, or there is a setting that I don't know how to locate. Maybe later this morning Mary can assist me, or she can ask our IT guru for advice during this afternoon's chat session. It turns back on fine, but this is weird.

Yesterday afternoon, we made our way to Holland to check out one of those low cost grocery stores. They don't carry many of the name brands, but according to an article that Mary read recently, their store brands are equal to the name brands or even better. We bought a few items to compare to the name brands we normally buy. Now we can make a comparison of all the relevant factors, price, taste, and/or quality.

We originally set out to make that trip to Holland in order to pick up my newly framed jigsaw puzzle. It looks terrific. In fact it looks so good, that I wanted to place it on the living level of the Palatial Estate. Mary doesn't agree, so its new home will be the originally intended wall in my Man Cave. It will look terrific there too.

The current weather conditions are a temperature of 37° that feels like 30° before the sun rises at 7:27 a.m. and the high temperature of 45° for the day occurs. According to the forecast by the NWS, the temperatures for the next 10 days will not get over 50°. As Mr. Horse would have said, "Well sir, I don't like it."

Speaking of the weather, rain and snow are back in the forecast too. Yesterday, during our trip to Holland, we just managed to beat the huge storm that rolled through W. MI in the late afternoon. We had just picked up my puzzle and made it back to the car when the skies opened up. The wind blew, the rain came down and flooded the streets and the skies were very dark. We took the back road as we returned to GH.

Today, I am going to do more highlighting and reading. Mary has plans for me to try to learn to knit once again. She picked up what looks like a great instructional book at the library. I've tried stick knitting before and I've attempted to use a loom, but the results have been less than stellar. Maybe I can learn this time. If not, I always have Mary to do my knitting for me. Like Clint Eastwood said in one of the Dirty Harry movies, "A man's got to know his limitations." I can do many things, but so far, knitting has not been one of them.

Otherwise, just more trainspotting the morning walk with STWD to pick up the Grand Haven Tribune,  and the anticipation that the MLB season openers are just three days away. Ciao.