Good morning or good evening, wherever you may be, across the nation and across the world. It is just after 4:00 a.m. in "The City."

A current temperature of 57° will give way to today's high of 65°, a full 9° cooler than yesterday's high of 76°! Yesterday was about average for this time of year here in GH, but today is another of the many anomalies that we've been experiencing this year. Plus, there is a 60% chance for showers today as well as tomorrow.

I did spot the southbound run of the train yesterday, as I observed MMRR locomotives 2019 and 2025 at the head of 16 CHCs, 3 DBTCs, and 3 DWTCs, all fully loaded. I was on my way to my orthopedist appointment on my bicycle when I saw those two locomotives heading north, but I only espied the first few CHCs they had in tow.

My orthopedic appointment went well after I had lunch at the hospital salad bar. I am a bit lacking in arm strength, but my range of motion is excellent and the doctor believes that the strength will return by the end of the year, coincidentally the anniversary of my surgery. He was pleased, as am I, that I can easily play my guitars without any problems.

We had the carpet cleaning people in yesterday and they did excellent work while Ginger was at the groomers. The carpet and the couch are still drying, no surprise, but they should be good to go by this afternoon.

Baseball news yesterday was not so good. The Cubs dropped one to that other team from Chicago, 1 - 3, in spite of Cole Hamels becoming just the 10th left-handed pitcher in MLB history to record 2,500 Ks. Sadly, Pedro Strop took over and surrendered a two-run home-run in the top of the 9th to put a damper on the Cubs hopes for a win. That loss did not prove fatal, as the Brewers also lost to their opponent, the San Diego Padres. Those Cubs and that other team play again tonight @ 8:05 p.m. EDT. The Cubs are still 1/2 game behind the Brewers in the NL Central.

The Tigers defeated the Pirates last night, 5 - 4. Sadly for the Pirates, they were supposed to have a good year, but they are languishing in last place in the NL Central. The Tigers and the Pirates take the field again tonight @ 7:05 p.m.

Alas, my beloved Red Sox fell to the Twins last night, 3 - 4, after nearly six hours and 17 innings of baseball. Jackie Bradley Jr., was once again a magician in the outfield, robbing Jorge Polanco and sticking to the wall like Spider-Man for a brief second. The Sox and the Twins will try to do their best in nine innings tonight @ 8:10 p.m.

As you may recall, the Caps are enjoying the MWL All-Star break and won't take the field again until tomorrow.

Today, we have to get the oil changed on the car. We've had her for about 7 months, but have accumulated only a shade over 3,000 miles on the odometer. So to be on the safe side, we'll have the oil changed.

Otherwise, we have to replace the furniture, do some coloring and/or drawing and painting, read the newspaper and do the crossword, play some music, and whatever else comes to mind. Retirement is sure a busy time in life. We are watching the weather forecast for Kalamazoo, to decide whether to make the trip to the Kalamazoo Irish Fest this weekend. Last year, the rains were an annoyance and we don't want to repeat the experience. Ciao.

Oh, an update. The sun rose @ 6:05 a.m. and it will set later today @ 9:27 p.m.