Good morning or good evening, wherever you may be. It is just past 4:00 a.m. in "The City."

I tried to stay in bed and go back to sleep, but alas, I just couldn't do it, so here I am. I took a few minutes to run some of the virus programs on my computer and that allowed me to do some reading in The Cubs Way. I am learning a great deal about the philosophy that Theo Epstein brought to the Cubs and how us long-suffering fans were finally requited in our quest for a World Series win after 108 years. However, the reading is also making me wonder what is wrong with the Cubs this season.

Last night, the Cubs were able to see some spectacular play from one of the players that Epstein had drafted in his plan to make the Cubs a winner, Albert Almora Jr. He made a throw from center field that is worthy of a highlight reel. However, in spite of that throw and in spite of the good news regarding the right ankle sprain of Kris Bryant and in spite of the strikeouts recorded by starter Mike Montgomery, the Cubs lost to the Reds, 0 - 5, The Cubs fell to 40 - 40 and stayed in 2nd place in the NL Central. The Cubs and the Reds play again today @ 4:10 p.m.

The Tigers and the Indians were rained out last night so they will make up that game on September 1, as part of a Twi-night double header. The Tigers maintained their solid hold on 4th place in the AL Central with a record of 35 - 43. The rumor mill is grinding regarding the trade availability of several marquee players from the current squad, including pitching ace, Justin Verlander. Unfortunately, as I've mentioned before, those players come with big contracts and lots of baseball mileage on them, so who knows? At any rate, the Tigers play the Indians again today @ 1:10 p.m.

My beloved Red Sox came from behind to defeat the Bluejays last night, 7 - 4, in Toronto. That win allows the Sox to remain in 1st place in the AL East with a record of 45 - 35, one full game ahead of the Yankees who manhandled the Astros, 13 - 4. The Sox and the Bluejays play again today @ 1:07 p.m.

The Caps lost to the Great Lakes Loons last night, 3 - 4. That gives the Caps a 7 - 2 record in the MWL East and keeps them tied for 1st place with the Ft. Wayne TinCaps. The Caps and the Loons play tonight @ 7:05 p.m.

We have a current temperature of 66° under partly cloudy skies. Today's high has been forecast by the NWS to be 73°, also under partly cloudy skies. There is only a 20% chance of precipitation today. We anticipate temperatures to slowly rise over the next few days towards Tuesday's high of 80°. No significant precipitation is in that forecast, so I'll be watering every other day for the veggies and every day for he new sod. The sun will rise shortly @ 6:09 a.m. and set @ 9:28 p.m.

Mary has plans to do some vegan sausage making/steaming today along with more crafty type things. I understand that she nearly threw her latest project across the room when she discovered that her yarn had been tied together at one color change point. Apparently, she overcame that urge and continued the project later.

I am so over the latest round of home repair/remodeling mania. I want our carpeting installed, I want our furniture delivered, and I want the house to settle back to some semblance of normal, whatever that is. Not today, not tomorrow, but Wednesday thru Friday of next week if all goes according to plan. The carpet will be installed and then the furniture can be delivered shortly thereafter. Ciao.