Good morning or good evening, wherever you may be. It is just past 8:00 p.m. in "The City."

I forgot to mention in my previous blog, that I got a reassuring phone call from Mercy St. Mary's Hospital in GR Wednesday afternoon. Last Sunday, I spent about 35 minutes in the MRI machine there and the nurse from the office of neurologist, Dr. Ludders, at the Hauenstein Neuroscience Center at the hospital called to let me know that the doctor had had a chance to read the results of that MRI scan. Once again, the results showed that there was no change from the previous scan done two years ago. In other words, the tumor that I had removed from my brain in 2011 had no recurrence. The nurse there put me on the list for a followup in two more years. Adam would say that I am free and clear, but as someone who has been down that road once before, I am quite content to be reassured regularly.

I also forgot to mention that the first flowers of spring sprouted in our gardns recently. They are small and blue, but spring has sprung in the gardens.

Today, I spent a couple of hours in the kitchen making those two new recipes I mentioned yesterday, one for vegan pastrami and the other for bratwurst. We had some of the pastrami for dinner on Polish rye bread with sauerkraut topped with Russian dressing and the results were excellent. This recipe is definitely a keeper. We'll try the bratwursts tomorrow and we are hoping for similar results.

Right now, I am listening to the Cubs game on SiriusXM radio and the Cubs are tied with the Marlins, 1 - 1. I'd like to be able to watch on TV, but the game is not available on our system. Earlier today, the Tigers opened at Comerica Park against the Pirates, but the Tigers bullpen imploded and they lost the game, 10 - 13. My beloved Red Sox are also playing in Florida right now and they are tied with the Tampa Bay Rays, 0 - 0.

*** Update!  It took 17 innings of ineptitude at the plate, but the Cubs managed to drop their second game of this young season, 1 - 2 to the Marlins. Oh well, better luck tonight.  My beloved Red Sox were not much more effective at the plate, but they managed to eke out a win over the Rays in regulation time, 1 - 0 to go even with the league. David Price was masterful and he had to be with the bats asleep.

It is still cold here in West Michigan. The current temperature is a brisk 32° under partly cloudy skies. According to the long-range forecast from the NWS, it will be Saturday, April 13, before we break into the 50s. I want spring to spring and soon.

Tomorrow, we have no specific plans. TV news, more reading in Eight Men Out, for our history book club meeting next Wednesday and of course, watching the NCAA Final Four match up between Mary's Loyola Ramblers and the Wolverines of Michigan. Otherwise, we will play it by ear.

The sun will rise tomorrow @ 7:28 a. m. and set later in the day @ 8:29 p.m. Ciao.