Good morning or good evening, wherever you may be, across the nation and across the world. It is just past 8:30 a.m. in "The City."

I am going to once again depart from the regular format of this blog, albeit with one mention of baseball in honor of the fact that this is Opening Day, the first day of the 2019 Major League Baseball™ season. This is the day when the season opens, when all the teams have equal records and when all that is great about America can shine through and past all that isn't, but which can be again.

Of course, what would Opening Day be without John Fogerty and his homage to baseball, his song, Centerfield! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UnWQd70br9g

The Tigers open first in Toronto against the Blue Jays @ 3:37 p.m. The Cubs open next in TX against the Rangers @ 4:05 p.m.. And finally, my beloved Red Sox open tonight in Seattle against the Mariners @ 7:10 p.m.. All times are EDT.

Oh, I can dispense with the weather in AZ and FL, and just get on with life here in "The City." We have a current temperature of 41° as we slowly climb towards today's high of 45°. The sun rose @ 7:34 a.m. and it will set later @ 8:06. The view out the WW tells me it will be a sun shiny day.

We had a great day yesterday by any measure. Our first tomato seedlings are sprouting and the sun was shining. We made it to the chiropractor in the afternoon and then later to see Beth Nielsen Chapman @ Seven Steps UP! Worthy of note, is that the building that houses Seven Steps Up is a renovated Masonic Hall built in 1919 at 116 S. Jackson St. in Spring Lake, MI. The owners, Gary and Michelle Hanks, purchased the vacant red brick building in 2001 with plans initially to renovate the entire building for their home. But when they were unable to obtain approval to rezone the two lower floors from commercial to residential, they opted to restore the building to its original character and open Seven Steps Up for small gatherings, such as wedding receptions, showers, reunions, corporate parties and special events.

The name "Seven Steps Up" comes from the seven steps leading to the front door where guests from a bygone era entered the Masonic Temple's Grand Ballroom. Makeovers included the removal of industrial grade carpeting covering original maple hardwood flooring and plaster hiding a fireplace and beautiful Chicago brick walls.I assure you, that a building that is now 100 years old is a terrific venue to hear artists perform in an acoustically perfect setting.

A real singer/songwriter who wanted to perform in smaller venues on this tour.

Like Spring Lake's Seen Steps Up.

Ms. Nielsen-Chapman was equally adept at guitar

And the keyboards.

Ms. Nielsen-Chapman sang her songs and told her life stories. Here are some links to songs we really liked.  The first is her song Deeper Still from her 2002 album of the same name.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vSzw2bpYa4

And, Life Holds On, from her album, Hearts of Glass.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8KTox26vt_M

Since Ms. Nielsen-Chapman has written many songs and written for many artists, the choices were difficult. But, some of you may recognize this next song,  It was co-written by Ms. Nielsen-Chapman and became a hit in 1998 for country music artist Faith Hill. It is entitled: This Kiss.  The song was Grammy™ nominated as the best country song for that year.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dls_cBmUt7Q

Otherwise, today is just another day in paradise, AKA another P/T appointment and that's about it. I also have more indoor chores to do, more reading, perhaps some kitchen activities, and more retirement. What's not to like about that? Ciao.