Good morning or good evening, wherever you may be, across the nation and across the world. It is just past 4:45 a.m. in "The City."

A current temperature of 52° makes sleeping for most people and animals very comfortable. Of course, I slept through part of last evening's baseball games and then again in bed until about 3:00 a.m. this morning, so in total, I got enough sleep, just not when most people and dogs get theirs.

Today's high temperature will reach 69° if the NWS is being accurate. Plus, there is a 0% chance for showers today too. However, Wednesday and Thursday have showers in the forecast @ 50% and temperatures in the low to mid 60s. Looking longer term, Saturday has a 60% chance for T-storms with a night temperature of only 65°! Oh well, one thing that is certain is that the sun will rise today @ 6:05 a.m. and set later @ 9:24 p.m..

Mary mentioned in an email about letting the fur-children out early this morning, that there was a big, bright planet visible in the eastern sky late last night. Since it is June, I think that it was/is Venus, but it has been a long time since I took an astronomy class.

Speaking of the sun setting, the sun set on the Cubs last night, as they fell to the Rockies, 5 - 6, thus falling 1/2 game behind the Brewers in the NLC. In Denver, @ Coors Field, the baseball flies out of the park with regularity, due to the thin air in Denver. That was the case last night as Bote, Schwarber, and Rizzo all smashed home runs for the Cubs. However, the Rockies returned the favor en route to the win. The Cubs and the Rockies play again tonight @ 8:40 p.m. EDT.

My beloved Red Sox also saw the sunset last night, as Chris Sale once again recorded 10 strikeouts, but the Sox lost to the Rangers in 11 innings, 3 - 4. The Sox and the Rangers try again tonight @ 7:10 p.m.

The Tigers were off yesterday, well, most of this season too. They return to the field tonight to meet the Royals @ 8:15 p.m.

The West Michigan White Caps once again looked hapless, as they fell to the Bowling Green Hot Rods last night, 0 - 4. The Caps move on to Dayton tonight to face the equally hapless Dragons @ 7:00 p.m.

Yesterday was one of those days where I decided to work in the kitchen while Mary walked with the fur-children. I made another of my someday famous stir-fry meals that was very tasty and filling. Naturally, we have leftovers.

Later, I stayed home when Mary went downtown to do some shopping. I think we both got the better end of our respective activities. I don't much like waiting around stores for her and she likes to have some time to browse at her leisure. I played with the the girls, did some drawing and read my novel.

I also received my latest set of colored pencils yesterday from that big on-line retailer. The pencils are exactly what I'd hoped to get, so that was all good. 

Today, I've been tasked with making more of my famous vegan Italian meatballs and I have to do some indoor chores too. Since I'll be in the kitchen, next to the mud room and laundry area, I don't mind. However, Mary's shopping trip yesterday used up any extra hangers we had in the closet, so I don't know how to resolve that issue.

That's enough for one day. Ciao.

Addendum @ 5:50 a.m.

I changed the strings on Abigael, my everyday and traveling guitar. I love to play, I don't like to change strings. I especially don't like to change the 12 strings on Ivy. It is not just twice the work, it is like three times the work because it takes longer to change her strings and still longer to tune each one. Oh well, that's the price I pay for having lots of hobbies.