Good morning or good evening, wherever you may be, across the nation and across the world. It is just past 6:30 a.m. in "The City."

The current temperature is 64° under partly-cloudy skies. The sun will rise today @ 7:12 a.m. and set later @ 8:14 p.m. The days are getting shorter as we near the end of summer and the fun that goes with it.

The NWS has now extended that Beach Hazard Statement in effect from north of Holland to GH, until 4:00 p.m. today. High/strong-winds and rip currents should absolutely preclude swimming in the "Big Lake." However, that does not mean that the surf is not inviting to those are prepared, like the sail-boarders and bogey-boarders pictured below.

This man was being pulled farther into the surf by...

His sail!

The Red Flag is enough to deter most people.

But not these bogey-boarders.

And another sail-boarder.

They may not be able to read, but these birds know enough to stay on the beach and out of the air.

The Gale Watch has been canceled, but we have added a Small Craft Advisory, also in effect until 4:00 p.m. today. We also have an extension of that Beach Hazard Statement in effect until 4:00 p.m. too.

However, all those warnings of yesterday produced very little action here in GH. We got a few drops of rain, but the storms split and went north and south of our fair city. No rain is in the forecast until Friday's 40% chance, so I am prepared to water the vast gardens today.

Baseball news yesterday was a story of marking time.

The 2nd place in the NL Central Cubs defeated the 5th place in the Al West Mariners last night, 6 - 1, to get the sweep of that short series. The Cubs used a home-run from Willson Contreras who just came off the IL and a three-run shot off the bat of Nick Castellanos. Starting and winning pitcher, Jon Lester, got out of several jams, including two with the bases-loaded to get the win. The Cubs are rooted in 2nd place, three games behind the Cardinals. The Cubs are off today before returning to action tomorrow night in Milwaukee against the 3rd place Brewers @ 7:10 p.m. EDT, when Jose Quintana takes the mound, for the Cubs.

My beloved Red Sox are still mired in 3rd place in the AL East, as Rick Porcello had nothing and had to watch as the Red Sox bullpen tried, but failed, to put their collective thumbs in the dike. The Sox lost to the 1st place in the AL Central Twins, 5 - 6, despite a three-run homer from Rafael Devers and a sol shot from Andrew Benintendi. Sad to say, the magic is gone in Bean-Town and Alex Cora's crew looks very average of late.

The 5th place in the AL Central Tigers also lost 5 - 6, in their case to the 4th place Royals. The Tigers and the Royals Tigers and Edwin Jackson try to win the battle of the cellar again tonight @ 8:15 p.m.

By the by, the Tigers claimed OF Troy Stokes Jr. off of waivers yesterday. He had been on the Brewers list of prospects, but struggled in an injury-plagued season this year @ the Brewers Triple A affiliate, the San Antonio Missions of the Pacific Coast League. Stokes Jr. was not promoted to the Major-League™ roster by the Tigers, but they took a flyer on him anyway at no cost. Meanwhile . Jeimer Candelario will see more playing time @ 1st base to see how he handles that job and allow the Tigers to look @ Dawel Lugo @ the hot-corner, 3rd base.

We ran a few errands yesterday as not much was happening. I didn't get to a lot of things I had planned, but there is always today. However, Mary got more stitching done on my apron after I retired to the media-room to watch the Cubs and after a dinner of pasta with garlic bread. Retirement is such a busy time. Ciao.