Good morning or good evening, wherever you may be, across the nation and across the world. It is just past 3:00 a.m. in "The City."

The current temperature is 65° under cloudy skies. The sun will rise today @ 7:11 a.m. and set later @ 8:16 p.m.

We're almost there. From 8:00 a.m. today through 2:00 a.m. Wednesday, the NWS now has three warnings and statements in effect. The Gale Watch has been upgraded to a Gale Warning, with the expectation of wind-speeds from 34 to 47 knots! The current Gale Warning is in effect for areas  north of Holland up to GH. Wind-speeds of 35 - 45 knots are expected that will produce wave-heights of from 6' to 10' north of Holland! The surf is definitely up! An enticing but scary Photo-Op?

We also have that Beach Hazard Statement in effect, from north of Holland to GH. High/strong-winds and rip currents should absolutely preclude swimming in the "Big Lake." So, while the surf may be up, people are strongly encouraged to avoid the water and walking on the piers, as big waves will be washing over them. With the Labor Day holiday now in the rear-view mirror, the beaches should be mostly deserted with the exception of the surfers.

Mary reminded me that a Gale Warning means that a Small Craft Advisory is also in effect becaise of those high-winds and waves.

The Lakeshore Flood Watch has also been upgraded to a Lakeshore Flood Warning that will also be in effect from 8:00 a.m. today until 2:00 a.m. Wednesday, during which time the risk to properties along the shores of the "Big Lake" is significant. I guess that when the NWS turns watches into warnings, they are serious.

Those Warnings and Statements will be accompanied by the very real possibility of T-storms from 35% @ 8:00 a.m. to 65%  through 7:00 p.m.

We have plans to run some errands, but we won't go if the driving conditions force us to stay home.

In baseball news, the Cubs were not doing well through the first six innings yesterday. The Mariners came to town and held the Cubs to no runs until the 7th inning stretch. Then, the Cubs' bats came to life and the Cubs scored five runs in the bottom the inning en route to a 5 - 1 win. After being shut-out against the Brewers on Saturday and Sunday, the five runs were a welcome sight. Can they do it again tonight when Jon Lester takes the mound @ 8:05 p.m. EDT?

As an aside, the Cubs say that they have been monitoring the number of innings pitched by their $126 million dollar man, Yu Darvish. The scratch on Sunday caused by his forearm tightness will give him 10 days rest until his next start against the Brewers on Saturday in Milwaukee. Darvish only pitched 40 innings last season and is at 150 so far this year, if you include his throwing on the sidelines, so...

My beloved Red Sox will return to the field in Fenway Park tonight @ 7:10 p.m. when Rick Porcello takes the mound against the Twins.

The Tigers, what can I say? They came up short again against the Twins and lost 3 -4. Dan Norris gets the call tonight in Kansas City when the Tigers meet the Royals @ 8:15 p.m.

Another aside is warranted. Miguel "Miggy" Cabrera hit his 10th home run yesterday. Sadly, the once mighty Miggy is no longer what he was and in his new role as designated hitter, he doesn't have to play the field, just get hits and those are becoming more rare. It will be sad to see him retire, just as it was for David "Big Papi" Ortiz in Boston. But I guess, all good things come to an end.

The West Michigan WhiteCaps closed out their 2019 season with a 4 - 5 loss to the Dayton Dragons. It was a frustrating season for the Caps, to say the least. No playoffs, not much to cheer about. Sigh.

When Mary's gas stove was installed a few years ago, replacing the electric stove that was here when we moved in, she sent a pic to Adam who proclaimed, "You've got fire!"

I finally plugged in the replacement refrigerator late yesterday and I was able to say, "I've got cold!" Small pleasures.

Today, a few errands, weather permitting and some additional reading. I want to do some painting too. Ciao.