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

Well, this is a new experience for me, at least new by current standards, two blogs in a row. I wouldn't be here now, but I woke up and had to get up to let my head clear. However, that's a good thing, as I am finally at the end of this seemingly everlasting cold. This is just about two weeks and Mary seems to think that I had a mild case of the flu or a not so mild cold. I think I had a combination of the two. Whatever, the end is in sight. As Hawk Harrelson, longtime announcer for that other team from Chicago would say, "Put it on the board, Yes!" In fact, here he is with that famous call.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfeOitqzPXU

What a great way to segue into baseball. We are getting nearer each day to the opening of the Major League™ baseball season. The Detroit Tigers have their home opener at Comerica Park, the earliest opening day in the park's history, set for March 29, 2018 against the Atlanta Braves! My beloved Red Sox have their opening day set for Tampa, FL against the Rays that same day, coincidentally, their earliest opener since 2008. The Cubs, also open the 2018 season in Florida against the Marlins, also on that day. Also coincidentally, the West Michigan Whitecaps, AKA The Caps, open their 2018 season on April 5, 2018 against the South Bend Cubs. So far, I've not been able to pin down a schedule for the Grand River Loggers, the team that is supposed to play in Grand Haven this year @ Sluka Field. I'll keep trying. When does that other team from Chicago open? Who cares.

Somewhat worthy of note are the Spring Training records for my favorite teams. The Cubs are sporting a 16 - 10 record in the Cactus League. My beloved Red Sox have a 17 - 8 record in the Grapefruit League, and the Detroit Tigers are @ 9 - 14, also in the Grapefruit League. Oops! Well, as any manager will tell you, spring games are a time to find out what you have in the way of talent at the Major League Level. Because the Tigers and the Sox have new managers and the Tigers are in rebuilding mode, all bets are off. Still, I am seeing the Cubs in the World Series™ once again this year, maybe against my beloved Red Sox? The Caps, being the "A" level team for the Tigers, have to wait until April to have any record of note at all.

Had a great day yesterday, well we humans did anyway. Mary walked Ginger to the groomer, a place that Ginger doesn't like very much, before Mary went for her own grooming. When the groomer called to say Ginger was ready, I walked over to the groomer with Mary to pick up Ginger. All told, I made it past the 3,000 step mark yesterday. I'm feeling good about that.

I also made applesauce yesterday from those apples we purchased several weeks ago. Some of the apples had gone over, but with careful selection, I made a nice batch. Part of that batch became the side dish for our dinner of vegan chikn' salad sandwiches.

Today, we hope to rest and relax. I'll help with unloading the top half of the dishwasher so that I don't have to bend over or lift too much, and leave the rest of the dishes for Mary. I might try my hand at a dinner meal of vegan stroganoff too if the mood strikes. Mary has an appointment at the chiropractor later this afternoon. Both of us also want to read more in our collective book.

The NWS is reporting a current temperature of 27° under clear skies before we reach a temperature zenith of 40° under sunny skies later today. The sun will rise @ 7:44 a.m. and set later @ 7:59 p.m. Ciao.