Good morning or good evening, wherever you may be, across the nation and across the world. It is just past 5:00 a.m. in "The City."

The current temperature is 61° with light rain falling. Rain will continue to fall until around noon today. That means that for our 46th anniversary, we can stay inside until the threat of rain is not a factor. Plus, there is no additional watering required around the Palatial Estate. The sun will rise today @ 7:09 a.m. and set later @ 8:19 p.m. Today's high is forecast to reach 71°, as the rain falls gently on the Tri-Cities area.

Yes my loyal readers, it has been 46 years since Mary and I were wed on a beautiful Saturday afternoon in Prospect Heights, IL, as our families and friends gathered that day to wish us a long and happy life together. Our nuptials took place at Mary's childhood church and school, St Alphonsus Catholic. I am betting that Mary can still remember the words to the school song.

I'd like to say that I remember everything from that day, but I only remember the songs we had chosen. I also remember Mary wearing a neck-brace that was a reminder of the fender-bender that had occurred just a few days prior to our wedding.Another thing that I remember is that we were both young and full of life and hope. 

So, as a way of helping us to remember, I have chosen to add two clips from YouTube™ of the songs that we chose for our "Special Day."

First, is this song by a band that was very popular at that time, The Association. One of their songs was this one, Never My Love.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32OSn3iNw9A

The other song we chose, was from another band, also popular at that time, Bread. It was written by that band's lead vocalist, David Gates, and is entitled, Make it With You. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0KXV0gB0dw

Both are oldies now, but way back when, we had high hopes and wondrous dreams. Please enjoy both songs as we travel further down life's highway together.

Baseball news yesterday was not so good for us "Die Hard" Cubs fans. The Cubs' starting pitcher, Cole Hamels, returned from the paternity list, and only surrendered two runs to the Brewers. Those two runs came in the top of the first inning, but the Cubs were unable to score any runs and lost, 0 - 2.  

Today's games marks the expansion of the teams to a 40 player roster and the return of Ben Zobrist to the Cubs' active roster. However, the 1st place in the NL Central Cardinals, took two from the Reds yesterday to pull 2.5 games ahead of the Cubs. Perhaps Yu Darvish can change the Cubs' fortunes and win the final game of the series against the Brewers @ 2:20 p.m. ET today.

My beloved Red Sox also took it on the chin, losing to the Angels yesterday, 4 - 10. That loss didn't change much for the beloved, as they are still in 3rd place in the AL East, 15. 5 games behind the 1st place Yankees. Today's game begins @ 4:07 p.m. when David Price takes the mound for the Sox.

The 5th place in the AL Central Tigers, took advantage of an 11K night from Matthew Boyd and with the aid of some great hitting, the Tigers overwhelmed the 1st place Twins, 10 - 7. Today's game begins @ 1:10 p.m. as Spencer Turnbull gets the call from Tigers' manager, Ron Gardenhire.

In a battle between the 8th place West Michigan WhiteCaps and the 6th place Dayton Dragons last night in the MWL East, the Caps slipped past the Dragons, 5 - 4. Today's game begins @ 2:00 p.m. in Dayton.
 
Also in sports, the college football season has now commenced. The Wolverines of Michigan overcame some turnovers en route to a 40 - 21 win over the Middle Tennessee, Blue Raiders last night. Mary, the fur-children and I were in front of the TV eating the snacks that Mary had prepared. 

The Spartans of Michigan State played Friday and they defeated the Tulsa Golden Hurricane, 28 - 7. 

The Huskies of Northern Illinois University also played yesterday and they defeated the Redbirds of Illinois State, 24 - 10.

We traveled to Holland yesterday afternoon to return an unused cable box. Along the way, I took some pix of things that caught my fancy, mostly of the industrial type that I tend to favor.

Approaching a grain elevator in the Holland area.

Less hidden by trees as we passed by.

I took this shot of a BNSF locomotive that was on a siding near the coal-fired power plant in Holland. For those of you who are curious, BNSF stands for the Burlington Northern & Santa Fe RR.

Yesterday, Ginger went to the groomers to get a bath, a pawdicure, and a haircut. She always looks remarkably better when she is done. Her older sister, STWD, wanted to go too, but later realized that she had dodged the proverbial bullet upon Ginger's return. 

Today promises to be less busy. The fur-children will be sleeping dogs until the rain clears and then we can get on with our day. They need to get their monthly meds, but upon further review, I discovered that Ginger needs an additional med that we don't have on hand. So, Tuesday's activities will include a trip to her doctor for a resupply. No one ever said that adopting a dog was inexpensive.

Otherwise, not much is happening. Ciao.