Good morning GH. It is just past 1:00 AM in "The City" and the current temperature is 43 degrees under partly cloudy skies. We are heading for a high of 47 under sunny skies by about 2:00 this afternoon. It looks as though the showers will hold off until Wednesday and the snow showers until Friday. The chance of precipitation will be 50% for the three days Wednesday through Friday.

I had an interesting day on Monday. Mary and I walked Sugar the Weather Dog for some morning exercise and then I set off to pick up those prescriptions and stop at the various hardware and grocery stores. At the first stop I was unrequited At the second less so, but not entirely satisfactory. At the final stop I was able to get some things for Mary and get my prescriptions. Then I came home and waded through the installation of the new smoke detectors I had purchased and their associated paperwork. By then, I was spent. Mary asked me to do a tiny amount of work for her, and for that I got to sit at my desk, so I was okay with the request.

I had to get new smoke detectors because the upstairs one started chirping every 30 seconds, an indicator that the detector was defective. I decided to replace both the upstairs and downstairs detectors with ones that had ten year life span batteries. A bit more expensive, but the peace of mind that comes from having to not change batteries made them worthwhile.

Today, not much is planned. I will get that spaghetti squash in the oven, and have it for dinner. I will get the bathroom cleaned for Mary's guest. Speaking of bathrooms, I decided that the faucet aerator in the upstairs bathroom needed cleaning. I got it apart, cleaned it, and then couldn't get the parts to go back together correctly. I finally removed what I determined to be a restriction plate and voila, the faucet now flows freely and fully. But now I can't run the faucet at Talladega in a NASCAR race. I couldn't pass the post-race inspection. Oh well, those are the breaks.

Somewhere in the course of the day, Mary came in to tell me about a shooting at a school in Nevada. The young shooter wounded two students, killed a teacher and then himself. Mary told me that she knew that I would probably have done the same thing when I was teaching, try to protect the students. She knows that somewhere there is a widow and maybe children who are grieving just as she would. I know that teachers are like that, they think of their students before themselves. I grieve for the young shooter, the teacher, and his family. There are no winners in this type of situation, just regular people who do what some call heroic deeds.

So that's about enough for today. Time for some sleep. Ciao.

Good morning GH. I think I'll keep the time of this blog a deep dark secret, because I don't know that it adds anything to the overall efficacy of my efforts. That being said, I still feel that the weather is an important part of this blog, so that will stay.

We are currently at 58 degrees as we head down towards today's high of 47. That doesn't always happen, but it is that time of year. Showers are still in the forecast, and Sugar the Weather Dog is occasionally rocking her hide-e-hole, so it is very likely that the fronts are on the move. I suppose that the falling temperatures are also a good sign, but I'll take Sugar's forecast as more accurate.

Sunday found Sugar, Mary and me on a walk downtown to get some exercise. One of the great things about having a dog is that they force you up and out. That is unless the weather causes them to not want to leave the house. When we returned, I did what I had promised and nearly finished my book. I still have a few chapters to go, but I'll get those read this AM. I also got the laundry done.

However, I didn't hold fast to my promise to skip the leaf raking. With Mary's help, we got quite a number of bags filled. Plus, Sugar got to be out on her tether as we worked. While out, Mary discovered an entire new use for our trusty ice scraper that we had to fight to get last winter. We had invasive weeds growing in cracks in the driveway and she learned that a little judicious scraping made those pesky weeds go away. I knew we needed something, and she found it. Unfortunately, there are many more bags to be filled; but every little bit helps. I also spent all of three minutes covering up the outdoor A/C unit.

Afterwards, we walked downtown for another thing I had promised not to do, watch a little bit of pro football. We wish we hadn't. Simply put, Lions L. Bears L. Neither game was a defensive struggle and it even cost the Bears their starting QB, at least for this game. I'm betting he is out longer. He's a tough guy, but he isn't superman. On Saturday, Michigan romped over Indiana, and MSU defeated Purdue. A bad day for teams from Indiana, except for Notre Dame. I like this new way of reporting without scores.

Once home, I did more reading and Mary interacted with her computer. A light supper and then I was ready for bed. Mary never seems to need sleep. I think that's because when she does go to bed, she really sleeps, whereas when I go to bed, I am never really sleeping, it just seems that way. Alas, that's been my pattern for years.

Today, I'll finish my reading and then return that book. I have a non-fiction book on the first amendment that I want to get to. I think I'll do that while Mary is working. Tuesday, I have to do a little light house cleaning, as Mary has an out of town friend visiting for a couple of days starting Wednesday. Since I cleaned deeply last week, I won't have to work too hard at it. I also have to go to the pharmacy to pick up a few prescriptions. That's about 20 minutes out of my day.

The best part about that impending visit by Mary's friend, is that I have my meals all planned out. Beefaroni and Tater Tots for dinner. I'd like to take credit for that menu, but I got the idea from a guy in a bar in Key West, FL. His wife was going out of town and he happily announced that he could eat his two favorite foods to his heart's content while she was gone. Mary won't be gone, but since I was the one at the grocery store the other day, I was able to plan my meals. She did tell me that I could accompany she and her girlfriend on their rounds, but I think they need a little girl time without me.

That's about it for my day. I may make that spaghetti squash for tonight's dinner, but that is just riving it and seeding it before it goes in the oven. After the squash is nearly done, I'll heat up the pasta sauce I made and froze last August. Remove the pulp from the squash, pour on the sauce, and I am done. Dinner is served.

Ciao.

Good morning GH. It is just past 6:30 AM here in "The City," and the current temperature is 49 degrees under fair skies. The Weather Channel app is predicting showers and windy conditions for Monday and then the same for Tuesday, except that they have added that dreaded word snow, to the forecast. Wednesday doesn't look any better. So maybe if I am patient, the leaves will use a nature supplied leaf blower and simply be gone from the palatial estate. In any case, I'll wait to see what happens.

I thought that I might start with the sports report early on and then get to the rest of the news later in this blog. The immortal Yogi Berra once said, "It ain't over til it's over." Well, the fat lady has sung and Mighty Casey has struck out. In short, wait til next year is now the slogan for the Tigers too, as they fell to the better team last night 2 - 5, the Boston Red Sox. Earlier in the season, I was lamenting that the bats of the Red Sox had gone to sleep. Now I think that the slumber in the lumber infection must have also transferred to the Tigers. The Prince, Miggy, and most of the team had only one game in which they were able to score a large number of runs.

The Red Sox also needed two grand slam home runs to win two games, so a case of slumber in the lumber is still infecting their bats too. Facing the Cardinals whose bats never went to sleep, is going to be tough for the Red Sox in the World Series. I want the Sox to win, but it is not going to be a "can of corn," to use an old baseball phrase made popular by the immortal Vin Scully. While that phrase is actually in reference to a lazy fly ball or pop up in baseball, I think it helps to sum up the chances for the Red Sox against the Cardinals.

I was reminded of that phrase that I first heard when I was about 12 or 13 years old. I was playing Little League baseball and one of the other players used it. The actual derivation seems to be from the nineteenth-century in reference to the seeming fact that corn was the most popular canned vegetable on a grocers shelves. They would stack it on the shelf for easy take down with a hook. The can of corn fell off the shelf and was easily caught in the pocket of the grocer's apron, thus an easy catch in baseball became a "can of corn." A bit of history for those who care.

On Saturday, we walked to the farmer's market in the AM, of which only one more remains on Saturday and two more on Wednesdays. Then the season is over. We'll have to "wait til next year." To get corn, we'll have to go to the grocer's and get a can of corn. I couldn't resist. Afterwards, Mary worked, I read the paper and then I was off to the Irish Jam at the library.

Once I returned, we set off to the post for the Fall Fest. The weather cooperated at first, but then the front came through and like the Three Little Pigs, it nearly blew the house down. But we survived, had dinner and listened to music, and then it was time to walk home.

Today, as I noted above, I won't be raking the wet leaves, but I will be doing the laundry. It seems to have piled up quickly this time. Sugar and I will be walking, but that almost doesn't need mentioning. I'll finish the book I have due on Monday and that will be my day. Perhaps I'll bake some spaghetti squash, but that's a meal time decision. Pro football is unlikely, because it just isn't baseball.  I'll have to wait until the first World Series game on Wednesday. As we should all know, baseball is life.

Wow, it is almost...Tea time. Ciao.

Good morning GH. It has just passed 2:30 AM in "The City" and the current temperature is 50 degrees under mostly cloudy skies. The day promises to be cloudy most of the morning and afternoon, except for a brief period between one and three PM as we head for a high of 53. That just happens to correspond with my attendance at the Irish Jam session this afternoon. That's good when you are carrying your ax for a few blocks each way. This may truly be an example of the Luck of the Irish.

Later, when we plan to journey to the Fall Fest, the weather looks a bit more dicey. This may turn out to be the first and last annual Fall Fest in GH. Had the fest been held last weekend, the weather would have been perfect. Here in GH the weather is generally agreeable, but it does seem that the rain falls mainly on celebrations, fund raisers, and the like. That's just a superstition.

I learned something I think, about over watering container plants in my garden. I am now getting sweet peppers in abundance. Prior til now, I got just one. Since I haven't been watering and just letting the rain take care of the plants they seem to be happier. I live and learn. Since I used to have an expansive garden with a great southern exposure at our old house, I watered and the water dissipated into the surrounding soil.

With containers, that doesn't happen and so plants that require more or less water are more sensitive. I think I'll try again next growing season and be more judicious in my watering. That, or I'll find a way to plant things where they get the right amount of sunlight and the rains will take care of the watering. Since we have so much shade here and no good southern exposure it will be difficult. But I'll find a way.

Early on Friday found Mary, Sugar and me on a walk to the small box grocery store to get some cheese for Mary's now famous meatless Reuben sandwiches. Along the way, we encountered too many loose dogs for our liking. Sugar is always on guard and that means that she wanted to get in the face of those other dogs. She doesn't understand why she can't run across the street to meet them. It makes the walks more challenging, but that's why she is on a leash for her protection and the protection of our human psyches.

When she and I were in my chair reading later, she looked out the window and saw a man walking by on the sidewalk in front of our house. She had to go to the door to bark at him. She is nothing if not protective of us, the house, and "The City" in general.

Later Friday found me at the big box grocery store. The prices were good as always, but the crowds were think too, as always. But I had a plan and I stuck to it. I stopped in the pharmacy area for some aspirin and I had hopes of finding one other thing. When I didn't, I quickly sojourned to the other side of the store where the groceries are and using my list, I got everything that I planned to get and a few things I didn't plan on.

I should mention that I had already stopped at the Goodwill donation center for a drop off and then took our cans to the medium box grocery store for redemption. 75 cans takes a while, but the redemption center at the bog box grocery store is just too annoying.

Checkout went smoothly and then home for that previously mentioned reading with Sugar. I was summoned by the boss to go upstairs to help with her latest project that never ends, but she finally had to stop and request further instructions. I have never seen her so frustrated by a project as this one. I can't tell you more, but let's say that if she could, she would have this project be magically over, now.

Today the Irish Jam, the stop at Fall Fest later, and that's about it. I think that's enough. We may go to the farmer's market with Sugar for our morning walk, but that depends on the precipitation. I walked a lot yesterday and I am about walked out.

A quick sports report. The Cardinals dispatched the Dodgers 9 - 0 to advance to the World Series against either the Tigers or my beloved Red Sox who play later this afternoon just after 4:00 PM. College football should be interesting as Northern Illinois plays Central Michigan at 3:00 and the Spartans kick off with the Purdue Boilermakers at 12:00 PM. The Wolverines play the Indiana Hoosiers later at 3:30.  Locally, the GH Buccaneers are not having the greatest season. But that's okay, they are giving it their all.

Oops, I thought that I had missed it, but the train just passed by at 3:30 AM. A longer one this time. So, now I am done being long winded and it is time for bed, again. Ciao.

Good morning GH. It has just passed 3:00 AM in "The City" and the current temperature is 56 degrees under mostly cloudy skies. I have to accept that part of the forecast, because as I sit here in the Weather Center, the view out the window is...dark. Since what I have to consult are both analog and digital instruments here in the Weather Center, the prognostications of Sugar the Weather Dog, and the weather projections of the National Weather Service as interpreted by the Weather Channel App., I'll have to go with that forecast.

At about 2:30 AM, our regular northbound train rolled by pulling the usual contingent of mostly covered hopper cars. These trains go by either heading north or south about the same time each morning. Sometimes they are as early as 12:00 AM and sometimes as late as 5:00 AM, but they almost always go by. I still wonder what is beneath the opaque tops of those cars as they go by. Only the shadows know.

Thursday found the day opening with rain and a reluctant Sugar the Weather Dog not wanting to go out. Together we finally went out around noon, and she was quick about her business. She really doesn't like the water that falls from the skies. I can't seem to convince her that the longer she stands by a tree, pole, or fire hydrant sniffing, the wetter she will get. She seems unable to connect getting wet with being outdoors for extended periods. The one bright side is that she went out when we all first got up, she was able to figure out that she was on the wrong side of the chair in which she had become entangled and reverse her course to free herself. When necessary, she can think things through and make adjustments in her behavior, except for why she is getting wet. It is a good thing she likes the snow, except for that cold paws thing. But we are working on it.

Mary made egg salad sandwiches for lunch as Sugar and I walked before I went out to the local health food store after walking with Sugar. That allowed Mary to have sauerkraut to use as a side dish. She then went back to work while I read. Later we went downtown for dinner and stopped at the post for a quick one. Once home, a little TV and then bed time for me around 10:30 PM.

Today, more walking, more reading, and more casual dining. Other than walking with Sugar, I hope to stay in. If I don't play more music, my shoulder may feel okay for Saturday's Irish Jam Session. Yes, my shoulder is seemingly hurting more each day. I am holding out hope for a quick and easy solution from the doctor, but somehow I doubt it. I'll do what I must so that my golden years are pain free. Thank the deity for health insurance and a good orthopedic doctor and hospital nearby. That was one of our criteria, as suggested by Adam, when we chose our retirement home, access to quality health care.

On Thursday, the Tigers fell to my beloved Red Sox 3 - 4. Now I have at least one more game until the World Series opens for one of my two teams. With a little luck and skill on the part of the Tigers, I'll get a full seven games before then. Their next game is Saturday afternoon at 4:00 PM EST. The Cardinals and the Dodgers have a 3 - 2 record going into their next game tonight at 8:37 PM EST. I still want the Dodgers to win.

That's about it for now. Time for more sleep as I await...Tea time and sunrise, not necessarily in that order. Ciao.

Good morning GH. It is fast closing on 3:30 AM in "The City" and the current temperature is 52 degrees under cloudy skies. As the day progresses, the chance of precipitation increases from 10% til it peaks at 60 % at 2:00 this afternoon. Just enough to be annoying and to stop the raking of leaves. We anticipate that our high temperature will peak at 54 degrees as we fast forward the day.

Speaking of raking leaves and the rainy skies, I have four bags of leaves on the front porch. I didn't want to put them out last night because they tend to get wet and fall apart in the rain. So I am hoping that I will be up early enough to put them out this AM. If not, there is always next week.

On Wednesday, I finally got around to processing my horseradish crop. I replanted some of the roots, saved some for Adam and Steph, and processed the remaining amount. After thorough washing and sectioning, I put the roots into the blender and added some vinegar and salt.  A flip of the switch, a bit of stirring with a rubber spatula, and voila, ground horseradish. I used to spend hours with a grater and getting the effects of horseradish tear gas to produce what Mary's high powered blender did on minutes. She was right. If you buy a good blender in the beginning, you get what you pay for. We did, and it proved its value once again.

Speaking of the processed product, the resulting blend is nothing short of really hot. If like me, you like it hot, this is for you. When Adam was younger and his nose was stuffed up due to allergies or a cold, he'd grab the horseradish from the refrigerator and take a good long pull. Whatever was blocking his sinuses would clear right out. This stuff will have the same effect on him now, only faster.

For breakfast/lunch, brunch if you will, while I walked with Sugar the Weather Dog, Mary made veggie hot dogs with couscous. Chopped onions, mustard, sauerkraut, with celery seeds and we had a superb lunch. As they should be, our dogs had no ketchup/catsup just like in Chicago.

Mary worked all afternoon while I played music. When it was time for diner, she got out that deadly chef's knife that tried to kill her last time she used it. I told her she should be sure to get out her chain-mail gloves before starting. She assured me that she was going to be more careful this time. The resulting tuna casserole was once again excellent, even without the addition of her finger tip in the finished product. : - ). She felt there was a spice that she should have added, but I don't recall what it was. Tasted fine to me.

One needs to be careful when commenting on a recipe. As Mary has always says, "If you don't like something, tell me now or it will be back over and over." So I am pretty careful to tell the truth when something is lacking. I recall a friend of mine from childhood who once tried his mother's homemade bread. When asked, he told his mother, who had spent the entire afternoon sifting, stirring, rolling, kneading, and baking that it tasted almost as good as the store bought bread. Not a smooth move as I recall.

Today, I have no additional plans. I got those storm windows exchanged earlier on Wednesday after I had processed the horseradish, so I have nothing pressing. I don't know how much music I'll play as my shoulder is aching from all that strumming yesterday. Adam is right, I need to get it repaired now before I am too old. : - ). I'll get that opinion on the 24th. So I think that after Sugar takes me for a walk, I'll spend some time reading in my chair downstairs. Mary will work, maybe she'll cook, and I'll enjoy her efforts.

In sports, the Tigers defeated my beloved Red Sox handily, 7 - 3. Jake Peavy fell apart early for the Sox. The series is now tied at two games apiece. Game five is tonight at 8:00 PM. The Cardinals fell to the Dodgers 4 - 6, extending their series another game. By the by, I stand corrected. The League Championship Series games seven games, not five. So I still have a chance for the Dodgers to pull out the National League pennant. I also have at least two more games before I have to takes sides in the American League series. It can be tough to wear two rally caps in the same game.

Looks like that about it for Wednesday and Thursday. Tea time awaits as does more sleep. Ciao.

Good morning GH. It is just past 2:00 AM in "The City" and the current temperature is 58 degrees, as we head for a high of 57. A few showers are still on tap for later today at 30% and then about the same for the balance of the week through Sunday. It looks like it will be about 53 on Saturday with rain showers during the Fall Fest here in GH. Actually not bad for late October, but it seems as though the post can't catch a break.

Tuesday I accomplished all I set out to do. House cleaning, check. Laundry, check. Walking with Sugar the Weather Dog, check. Going to our favorite watering hole to watch the Tigers lose to my beloved Red Sox, 0 - 1, check. Being disappointed that the Cardinals went up 3 - 1 versus the Dodgers in their series, check. I got in just a touch of music, but not so much. The Tigers and the Red Sox face off again tonight. Here's hoping that the Tigers get it together and beat the Red Sox. I know, I love the Red Sox, but I like the Tigers too, so having  the series go the full length is fine with me. When the last pitch is thrown and the last out is made, I will still have a winning horse in the race. What's not to like?

Today, just walking with Sugar the Weather Dog and playing some music. I still have to finish the newspaper from Tuesday, and of course get one for today. That goes with walking with Sugar, so I should have no problem there.

No leaf raking today as the leaves will be too wet. I need to get a couple of storm windows out of the basement and put them into the front door and the window in the dining room respectively, but that won't take long. I like it when things are done and I don't need nor want any additional tasks.

Best wishes to Barb. She is fighting the good fight and I know she will win. She has so many good things in her life with children, grandchildren, a lot of great friends, and a great place to live. Like I always say, what's not to like?

A train went by about 1/2 hour ago, but it wasn't a long one. No matter what is going on in the world, the trains keep moving commerce in the U.S.A.

Tea time awaits as does additional time in bed. Ciao.