Good morning or good evening, wherever you may be, across the nation and across the world. It is just past 5:30 a.m. in "The City."

I've been out of the blog world for a few days due to my baking yak. Sooner or later it will be better, I hope, but until then, I am limiting my chair time to avoid unnecessary strain on my lower yak. Sigh.

When I was @ P/T yesterday, I picked Ben's therapist brain with regard to what types of exercises I might employ/enjoy to improve my condition. With those, the pain seems to come and go, so maybe I am making that hoped for progress. Even our chiropractor feels that it would be in my best interest to get some P/T on my yak. However, I have been there before and it is usually just some icing, some heating pad, and much stretching/exercising to get me closer to normal. I'm good as long as I am sitting or standing totally upright, it's that in between stage that is the most painful.

Moving right along, I am showing steady progress on my shoulder. My range of motion is improving and my strength is returning. As my orthopedist stated weeks ago, it takes about four to six months for a mostly complete recovery.

We have a current temperature of 33° that feels like 25° due to the prevailing winds off the "Big Lake." In fact, today's high temperature will only reach 36°as the winds continue to blow with speeds up to 22 mph! The sun will rise @ 7:45 a.m. and set later @ 7:59 p.m.

In Mesa, AZ, spring home to the Cubs for just another six days until the Cubs visit Arlington, TX and open their season against the Rangers, the Cubs are enjoying a current temperature of 53° under clear skies and they expect 72° under mostly sunny skies later today. Nico Hoerner, the Cubs' second-ranked prospect in their minor league system, continues to impress, but he is expected to open the season @ W. TN. Look for him soon at the major league level, as his skills are that exceptional.

It looks like the Cubs will have Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, and Javier Baez in the two thru four batting slots in the early part of the season. No lead-off hitter has yet been designated. Maybe Ben Zobrist or Albert Almora Jr., who have had solid springs. As always, the Cubs are stressing that all players be able to play multiple positions in the field.

My beloved Red Sox are currently experiencing 61° in Ft, Myers, FL, and today's high will reach 76° under sunny Florida skies. The Sox expect that they too will have their lineup set very soon. Third baseman, Rafael Devers, is hitting well.

Sox' outfielder, Mookie Betts, reportedly turned down a contract extension for $200 million, opting to wait for free agency that happens after next season to see what his value will be. That follows the huge deals signed my Mike Trout of the Angels, $426 million for 10 years, and that of Bryce Harper of the Phillies, @ 330 million for 12 years. The sky may be the limit for Mookie,.

In Lakeland, FL, the Tigers are feeling good with a current temperature of 52° as they expect today's high to reach 75° under sunny skies. The Tigers received bad news recently, as starting pitcher. Michael Fulmer, will need Tommy John surgery and he will be out for the next 14 to 16 months, recovering and rehabbing. While the Tigers don't anticipate rushing pitching prospect, Casey Mize, to the majors anytime soon, they are impressed with his talents and poise. Much of that timetable depends on how the Tigers see their next several seasons and playoff chances shaping up.

Today. I have no plans other than rest and reading. If all goes well, I will start to feel better in all of my physical areas very soon. As Ben said yesterday. as you get older, your time of recovery from any injury increases exponentially. Sigh.

John is done with the painting for a while and the dining room and foyer look terrific.

A side note, I finished reading an article Mary forwarded to me about Amtrak train travel. The article perfectly describes a typical cross-country trip on Amtrak. If you have a lot of time, just like taking an Amtrak trip, peruse the article from the NY Times Magazine, for which I have attached a link.

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/03/20/magazine/train-across-america-amtrak.html Ciao.