Good morning GH. It is nearing 10:00 AM in "The City" and the current temperature is 51 degrees. Sugar the Weather Dog has not yet felt a disturbance in the force, so that means that the T-storms are still a ways off. In fact, if the weather channel app is to be believed, we have nothing to fear until one or two this PM.

I awoke this AM to good news from the neurosurgeon's office. They called to tell me that the doctor had read the results of my recent MRI and there is nothing to see. We'll see you next year, same time, same channel. That means that whatever the cause of my headaches, I'll have to look elsewhere.

Yesterday, I harvested the horseradish and the cauliflower, It looks like the cauliflower had gone around the bend so I had to send it to that great garden in the sky. The horseradish was perfect and so I have saved some for the pot, some for Adam and Steph to grow, and the rest to be ground into the elixir of life.

I also raked leaves and now I have four bags full. I know there are many more to come, but it is a start. Since we no longer have curbside vacuuming of leaves in the fall, I have to rake the curb areas too. Let's see, we saved money by not picking up the leaves, but we have money for other pet projects. I guess it depends on who has the reins of government.

That was about it for yesterday. I watched the Dodgers defeat the Cardinals 3 - 0 and that is all good, unless you are a Cardinals fan. This afternoon, the Tigers and my beloved Red Sox face off once again, this time in Detroit, to see who will eventually emerge as the AL champion to face the NL champion. Here's hoping that's the Dodgers. I still haven't decided on the AL champion I want to see crowned, but I don't have to just yet.

Today, time for housecleaning, laundry, and music. When you feel on top of the world as I do now, you just have to do housework. At least I do. Go figure. Tea time awaits and then a walk with the intrepid Sugar the Weather Dog. Ciao.

Good morning GH. It is just past 2:00 AM in "The City" and the current temperature is 48 degrees under clear skies. Our high today is expected to be 64 and then on Tuesday, 67 with a 100% chance of showers/T-storms. Looks like I better get that harvest in today. Cauliflower and horseradish are the only crops in need of harvest and mostly just the cauliflower. It depends on how much energy I want to expend in one day.

Sunday we took a ride to the big box home store to order a couple of ceiling fans for the upstairs media and music/office rooms. We also got Halloween candy that came with a rebate and a new lamp for my desk. I also got a new electronic device, a set of speakers with a sub-woofer for my computer. The lamp works fine and actually helped me to organize my desk. We also took advantage of the sale on yard bags and stocked up. We may not use them all this year, but they can sit on the shelf in the garage for next year.

After our stop at the big box store, we took a drive into the country where we got two small pie pumpkins for our Halloween decorations. Once they have served their duty by the front door, they will become a pie or soup. A terrific re-purposing of one of the fall crops.

Once done cruising, we headed for home and caught the end of the Lions game at a local tap. Although the Lions were behind in the first half, they turned it up a notch in the second half and won handily. 31 - 17. We headed for home and a short stint of TV before I got tired and went to bed. I tuned in the Tigers and Red Sox on the radio and then promptly fell asleep. However, I awoke just in time to hear Big Papi hit a grand slam to tie the game and then in the bottom of the ninth, the Tigers couldn't hold on and let in the winning run for the Red Sox who won, 6 - 5. I am feeling good since both of my teams are tied. Trouble is, those pesky Cardinals have a 2 - 0 game lead in their series.

So today, more highlighting, more walking with Sugar the Weather Dog and more music, along with that harvesting. I have to call the neurosurgeon again too, to try to get those MRI results.

No trains as of yet and it is still dark out. Tea time awaits in just a few short hours and then the day begins anew. Ciao.

Good morning GH. It is just past 4:30 AM on this chilly morning. Quite a change from yesterday. 57 degrees is not 65 under clear skies. We are anticipating a high of only 63 today in "The City. So while walking and enjoying the beautiful weather yesterday was great, this day feels more like indoor time and a cup of hot cocoa. Sugar enjoyed her morning walk to the farmer's market and we enjoyed just being alive.

Yesterday in the AM, after we had walked with Sugar the Weather Dog, we went over to the public safety department to see what was happening at the open house. The kids were enjoying a ride on the fire truck, using a hose to extinguish a pretend fire, and painting faces on small pumpkins in the house where the fire engines usually rest between trips. There were squeals of delight. Both Mary and I think that this is a great way to introduce the kids to members of the public safety department. Plus, they got cotton candy, popcorn, and hot dogs to eat, with water to wash it all down. What's not to like as a kid?

Once afternoon rolled around, we were restless, so Sugar got another walk and then we headed downtown for some football viewing. Unfortunately, Michigan lost to Penn State in four OTs, 40 - 43. Earlier in the day, MSU beat the Hoosiers of Indiana 42 - 28. The Northern Illinois Huskies defeated the Akron Zips 27 - 20 to go to a 7 - 0 record. Pity poor Northwestern, they were trounced by the Wisconsin Badgers, 6 - 35.

Better news in baseball, the Tigers won their game, 1 - 0, over my beloved Red Sox. Both teams play again tonight. I still have hope, plus I can't lose with two teams in the hunt. Now I have to lament that the Cardinals once again defeated the Dodgers, this time by a tiny margin of 1 - 0, to go up 2 - 0 in their series. As a lifelong fan of the boys in blue, I just can't cotton to the Cardinals.

Today promises to be relatively quiet for Sugar, Mary and me. More music, more highlighting, more walking, and more baseball tonight. In short, perfect. I don't have the energy for much more today, having walked over 15 miles the last three days. While that isn't much for some, at my advanced age that can be more than I want prior to my knee treatments. I hope that Barb is doing well with her course of treatment. I don't look at the social website that she frequents much, so I don't really know.

So barring a major life change, I'll leave with thoughts of...Tea time dancing in my head. That and more sleep. Ciao.

Good morning GH. It is just past 2:30 AM here in "The City" and the current temperature is 59 degrees under clear skies. The chance of showers begins to rise about 1:00 PM with a temperature of 71 and a 30% risk of showers as we head for temperatures in the mid-seventies with the chance of showers climbing to 70%.

It seems as though the temperatures of yesterday will parallel today, but the showers will be arriving as the day progresses. Mary and I just had to get out for a walk along the water-front and take the time to enjoy the day. You never know how many there will be at this time of year. That followed taking Sugar the Weather Dog over to the dog park a few blocks from here. She had the opportunity to "mingle" with a few new friends and run herself ragged. We always have to stop her because she doesn't self-regulate when she gets tired from running her short legs off.

Sugar can keep up with the bigger dogs, but it takes a lot of energy to do so. As always, there was a dog who wanted to establish the pecking order, and that just further stimulates Sugar's need to run. But long legged dogs versus a short legged dog leads to total exhaustion. When Mary and I went out for our walk, Sugar was lying in her downstairs beg sound asleep.

We walked to the main drag here in town, stopping in a couple of stores. We didn't buy anything, but the weather made that unnecessary. Friday was just one of those days when we say, "It doesn't get any better than this." I loved being back in my summer uniform and I know that I won't get all that many more chances to do that this year. We may have walked too much, but I feel okay, so that means that it wasn't too far.

We split a great wet bean burrito at our alternate watering hole and then off to the post to see Sally. Friday is euchre night at the post, and they were also setting up for a Saturday afternoon/evening wedding reception. Lots of people there. I think the showers will hold off for the noon outdoor wedding. The reception is scheduled for 3:00 until 9:00 PM on a drop in basis. Hors D'oeuvres and an open bar trended by Sally should make for a great time. We had a quick adult beverage while there and I dropped a quarter into the jar on the bar and won a free adult beverage. I also got a national parks quarter for one of my collections that Sally had saved for me. She knows that I am collecting and she keeps her eyes open. We'll have to make her holiday gift extra special this year. I'm not sure what, since I don't make things in a wood shop anymore. We'll work on it.

That was about for Friday and after a bit of TV viewing I was ready for bed. Unfortunately that means that I get up in the wee hours to do this blog. I think I'll use some of my "extra" time to do some highlighting for the boss.

In sports, the Cardinals took 13 innings to dispatch the Dodgers 3 - 2. Tonight the Tigers face off against my beloved Red Sox at 8:00 PM. I'm fairly certain that the television people would prefer an East Coast versus West Coast match-up for the World Series. Of course, they might like the Tigers to represent the American League from the mid-west. Most likely the Red Sox offer better revenues for advertising on TV.

Lot's of college football today and that makes for a great day of sports viewing. Michigan visits Penn State, MSU is visited by Indiana for the 500th game played in the Spartans stadium. Northwestern travels to Wisconsin and the Northern Illinois Huskies host Akron as the Huskies go for their sixth straight win.

The Blackhawks defeated the Islanders 3 - 2 and welcome the Buffalo Sabers tonight. The Red Wings, now in the Atlantic Division of the NHL, face the Philadelphia Flyers tonight too. I know that the league is trying to achieve a balance, but the Blackhawks and the Red Wings are two of the original six teams in the NHL and they belong together. My barber and I agree on that one.

I have to mention that I got excited at about 7:00 PM Friday when I heard a train whistle. I raced to the GH channel just in time to see, a lone locomotive sporting the new livery of the Mid-Michigan Railroad and no cars. I thought to myself and said out loud to Sugar, "That's not a train, that's a disappointment." But I'll take what I can get right in front of our house.

Time for some highlighting, soon to be time for bed, and then...Tea time. Ciao.

These were the best of times, these were the worst of times. My apologies to Charles Dickens, but his words seemed apropos to the latest happenings in major league baseball. My beloved Red Sox must face off against the Detroit Tigers in the American League Championship Series. Only one can emerge as the eventual pennant winner. Following a 3 - 0 victory over the As, the Tigers must now go through the Red Sox to reach the World Series. They begin their series on Saturday at 8:00 PM. I guess in one way I can't lose. I have a horse in the race. Since I can't root for the Cardinals of the National League, I have to go for the eventual American League winner. That's better than being a Cubs fan and having to wait until next year.

In any event, I started out with sports because I never do. It is just past 1:30 AM here in "The City" and the current temperature is 54 degrees under clear skies. No precipitation in the forecast until the 70% on Saturday. Temperatures look to be in the 70s for today and tomorrow. Sugar the Weather Dog will want to go for a long walk today, and I'll be happy to oblige her.

As I mentioned in my previous blog, Thursday was my day for doctor's visits. All went well. Podiatrist, internist, MRI. However, after a flu shot in my left arm and the dye injection in my right, both of my arms are sore. I am reminded of that old joke, where a comedian says, "I just flew in from (fill in the blank) and are my arms tired." I did get to ask the doctor who administered the dye a question when he said, "You'll be sore for one or two days, but then you should be able to resume your regular activities." I just had to ask, "Will I be able to play the piano?" He assured me I would, to which I replied, "Funny, I couldn't before."

That's an old one, but I'm an old guy. Of course he had to wear a lead apron to avoid the effects of x-ray exposure and I just had to say, "Yes, you don't want to glow in the dark." I liked his bedside manner.

Today, I don't anticipate doing much of anything. I just don't have the strength. I do have to call the neurosurgeon's office, again, to see if he has had time to read the latest MRI on my head. But other than walking with Sugar, that's about it. I'll do more highlighting for the boss, because that requires very little in terms of physical strength.

A quick mention that the train flew by about an hour ago. I say flew, because the speed with which the horn faded into the distance told me that he was making good time as he headed north.

I hope that all of the important people in our lives are doing well. Too many to mention, but you know who you are. My bed awaits. It will be...Tea time soon enough too, and then a walk in the park with Sugar. Ciao.

Goods morning GH. At just after 4:00 am, it is currently 55 degrees as we head for a sunny high of 73. No showers expected until Saturday. Looks good for both Sugar the Weather Dog and me.

On Wednesday, our entire little family traveled to the farmer's market for some produce. I needed some apples and tomatoes and Sugar needed a walk. Once we returned, I just kept on walking over to the barber shop and then to the local grocery story to get all of the things that I needed for my afternoon's activities.

Once we get back, Mary made fried green tomatoes and grilled cheese sandwiches for lunch. Then she went off to her office for work and Sugar and I repaired to the kitchen for some plain and fancy cooking. I had to sandwich in some laundry and dish washing since we had exhausted the supply of napkins and tableware.

Sugar in her customary role of Sous Dog, as usual, was a great help. First we made my world famous banana nut bread and got that in the oven. Sugar helped with the clean-up phase of the activities. Next, we began work on my soon to be famous potato, celery, and onion soup. The recipe was in a cookbook that Mary had on her shelf and I followed it exactly. Once the potatoes were washed and made ready, the rest of the preparation went smoothly. I have to say that the peeling of garden fresh potatoes, some the size of olives, took extra time.

Sugar and I finished and I sampled the results and I pronounce them good. However, I am not necessarily a good judge, because if it is soup, I am probably going to like it. Sometimes I wonder why I didn't like my mother's split pea soup. It is probably because my mother was often kitchen challenged, unlike Mary. Mary's creative side seems to emerge more all the time. I am impressed. Everything went smoothly, the soup was placed in jars for storage, and I even used the new knife with no wounds.

I was feeling good until it came time to put things away after I cleaned up. One of the chopping knives in the utensil drawer, the one with the twin blades, attacked me. Not as bad as the chef's knife that attacked Mary, but enough to make me a worse typist this morning with a band-aid on my finger. Fortunately, all of the first-aid supplies I procured for Mary the other day came in handy.

I got the laundry put away, and by then it was time for Mary to try out that recipe that I was going to do for eggplant Parmesan. Mary is right, I am learning, but this recipe was/is past my current skill level. After a little dual prep, and some baking time, we sampled our efforts and I pronounce them nothing short of fantastic. This one is a keeper, and another demonstration of Mary's skills in the kitchen. I do know that without my hands for assistance, she would have been unable to accomplish this outcome.

Today is mostly taken up with doctor's visits. Podiatrist, internist, and an MRI all in the same day. That means that while I will get some reading done in waiting rooms, but that will be the extent of my day's activities.

A quick sports report. Joe Girardi will be staying with the Yankees, so the boys in blue will be looking elsewhere for a new manger. The Pirates defied my prediction. They lost to the Cardinals so they won't be going to the World Series. The Tigers and the As face off tonight for the decisive game five in their series. If the Tigers win, they will face off with my beloved Red Sox, and get a chance to face either the Cardinals or the Dodgers in the World Series. If not, they go home and wait for next year. There is a certain familiarity in that phrase. More sports happened, but I'll wait on those.

A train went by just before 12:00 AM and that was early for a train on these tracks. Tea time awaits as does a morning walk with Sugar and all those doctor's appointments. Ciao.

Good morning GH. It is just past 4:30 AM and I am up doing a few things for the boss. Seems like my work is never done. The current temperature is 55 degrees under clear skies. Unfortunately that is a weather description rather than a description based on the amount of light. No precipitation is expected until Saturday. Sugar the Weather Dog is sleeping soundly, so I know that the forecast is most likely accurate.

Speaking of Sugar, she has gotten so territorial of late. She wanted to protect me from the lady who delivers her dog food. Protecting Mary, the palatial estate, and me was her top priority, over receiving her food as it came in the door. Same thing for our neighbor's father who made the "mistake" of stepping on Sugar's hallowed deck. He just wanted to talk, but Sugar knew he must be up to no good. I appreciate her concern. Until she gets "used" to someone, they are not welcome. Period!

That's why she had to be put into her downstairs hide-e-hole when the HVAC man came to check our duct work yesterday. He is going to get back to us with an estimate, but the numbers he was tossing about were more than Mary and I want to spend this or any year. Mary and I agree that replacing the ceiling fans that we took down in the two front rooms might be the best choice. Not perfect, but better at less than $1,000 versus $5,000 to $6,000. Oh well, sometimes these old houses produce a need for trade-offs. We now know why the ceiling fans were there, but the old ones were so dated and ugly, that they had to go.

Sorry that I didn't get to my blog yesterday, but I got up late, went for a walk with Mary and Sugar and then on to the local pharmacy for first-aid supplies for Mary By then the day was nearly over. I spent so much time mowing the lawns on the palatial estate, watching our politicians, and talking to the aforementioned HVAC man and our neighbors dad, that time just got away.

Today, more work for the boss. I was excited to read that Kerry got her piano back after a year's absence. Along with baseball, music is life. Speaking of life, I think I'll get to more of that musical variety of life later today. You don't want to overdo.

In sports, the Tigers forced a deciding game 5 as they pitched Max Scherzer in relief. Now the Tigers may have to face my beloved Red Sox who moved on to the Championship Series by defeating the Rays, 5 - 1. A potential problem for me that I won't mind having. The Pirates and the Cardinals are tied at two games apiece as they head for their decisive game five. The Cardinals usually have success in these deciding games, but I think this is the year for the Pirates. Whomever wins, goes on to meet the Dodgers for the NL pennant and then on to the World Series.

So that about looks like it. Easy day coming up. Like all days, this one will start with...Tea time and then walk time with Sugar. Music, highlighting for the boss, and maybe making my world famous banana bread with the able and reliable assistance of my loyal Sous Dog.

Ciao.