Good morning or good evening, wherever you may be. It is just past 3:30 a.m. in "The City."
Although hot and humid yesterday, the day went well. We are nearly done with the carpet installation and with the exception of one chair, all of the furniture has been delivered and set up. That last chair is still being made so it will be available when it is done.
Ginger went to daycare as she can't deal with being in her crate. I am sure that the real consternation comes from her human caretakers, but that's one of the reasons that we adopted her, to enjoy us and so that we can enjoy her company.
Our current weather conditions, as forecast and detailed by the NWS, show a current temperature of 64° under partly cloudy skies. Today's high should reach 73° under sunny skies with lower humidity. The chance of precipitation is less than 20%. The sun will rise @ 6:13 a.m. and set @ 9:26 p.m. If anyone is planning a wedding in Central Park, they should have a great day.
As I described in yesterday's blog, the severe storms blew directly through GH between 2:00 a.m. and 3:00 a.m. yesterday. The rains came hard, the winds blew at tornadic speeds that were given the designation of EF 0, which translates to 65 - 85 mph. Mary, STWD, Ginger, and I went walkabout yesterday morning to see what those wind speeds had produced. Many tree limbs were down and roads were blocked by fallen trees. Sadly, a tree fell on the house of a 72-year-old man here in GH and he was killed. In that instance, the Grand Haven Tribune stated that the winds were unofficially clocked @ 102 mph! Otherwise, there were no casualties. We are still in search of our recycling bin which is probably in another township by now.
For those interested, here is a link to pictures of the storm damage in West Michigan.
http://woodtv.com/gallery/west-michigan-storm-damage-july-7-2017/.
Sports news yesterday was 3/4 good. The Cubs returned to .500 with a 2nd place record of 43 - 43 in the NL Central following a 6 - 1 win over the Pirates @ "The Friendly Confines" yesterday. The Cubs and the Pirates reprise their roles again tonight @ 7:15 p.m.
The Tigers were manhandled by the Indians yesterday 2 - 11. That gives the 4th place Tigers a 38 - 47 record in the AL Central as they return to the field tonight to face those same Indians @ 7:15 p.m.
My beloved Red Sox toppled the Rays yesterday 8 - 3. That gives the 1st place Sox a 50 -37 record in the AL East, 4.5 games ahead of the losing Yankees. The Sox face the Rays again today @ 4:15 p.m.
The Caps eked out a win in Ohio over the Captains 6 - 5. That win gives the 1st place in the MWL East White Caps an overall 2nd half record of 12 - 4. I read a short description a few days ago about how difficult it is for an "A" level team to be consistently successful, as their players are almost always new every season. The Caps have a 1st-year manager, Mike Rabelo, this year, and this is another in their string of playoff appearances and MWL Championships. The Caps came to GR in 1994. The Caps and the Captains play again tonight @ 7:00 p.m.
We retrieved our cuckoo clock yesterday after some maintenance. This clock was in my grandmother's home and my parent's home for many years and I believe it to be somewhere between 60 and 75 years of age. It was made in Germany and has an eight-day movement that according to the clock repairman is showing its age. It may not survive many more years without being replaced.
While in Spring Lake, we also purchased a new lamp at the resale store to add to our new living room furniture. It needs a new shade, but otherwise, it works and looks great.
Today, it looks like we can kick back and relax as we await the final carpet installation and some finishing touches on the thresholds. The furniture looks great and it was a terrific feeling to be able to eat at our new dining room table. In honor of that new table, Mary made one of mine and Adam's
favorites, spaghetti role casserole.
So, that looks like enough for one day. Ciao.
Saturday, July 8, 2017
Friday, July 7, 2017
Good morning or good evening wherever you may be. It is just past 4:00 a.m. in "The City." This is an updated version of the blog I began @ 1:45 a.m.
I had hopes of keeping it shorter than my last post. I failed due to the Severe Thunderstorm Alert.
We show a current temperature of 65° under rainy skies. The temperature @ 1:15 a.m. didn't begin to describe what it was like outside. It was sultry, muggy, steamy, oppressive, I'll leave it to my fellow travelers through the minefield that is the English language to decide which word works/describes conditions the best. I was outside with Ginger @ 1:15 a.m. or so, and it felt like one of the above descriptive words. We are anticipating a high today of 73° under sunny skies with less humidity.
Just before 2:45 a.m. I heard a Severe Thunderstorm Alert on WOOD radio as I was listening to Coast to Coast AM. The alert is for Allegan, southern Kent County, Ionia County, and most of the counties in West MI, including Ottawa.County, which includes GH, for the next 3/4 of an hour! Penny-sized hail and severe T-storms are possible. I'm here watching out the WW. I am hearing the rumble of thunder and seeing the flash of lightning. I am also seeing that the winds are blowing strongly and the rain is falling, in torrents. No hail yet! I can see that our trash can has been blown over and the trash is being scattered across the front lawn and down the street! The winds may reach speeds of 70 mph! The Severe Thunderstorm Alert is in effect until 3:45 a.m. for GH! However, it appears that the storm is nearly over and has moved south and east of "The City!" I guess I won't have to water today. It's over! It is 4:00 a.m. and the storm has blown to the east and the morning hours will once again be calm
Speaking of Ginger, she went to daycare/grooming yesterday and she came back mega-tired. Here she is on her downstairs bed on the newly installed carpet in our living room shortly after her arrival. Let's just say that she needed a recharge from her exhausting day of running with the big dogs along with being groomed.
More on that new carpeting. We are nearly there! The entire tack-down carpeting in the downstairs rooms of the manse and the media room and my office/music room/weather center has been replaced. One more threshold to go downstairs. Now on to the upstairs in our bedroom and Mary's office and crafts room along with the back stairs and we are done. In addition, the new furniture is arriving sometime between 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. today.
I installed my new A/C unit in the window yesterday. The carpet installers carried it upstairs for me. It is advertised as the #1 rated quiet A/C unit on the market and it lives up to its billing. I am enjoying the benefits right now!
Trainspotting yesterday was interesting, as it usually is. At 10:10 a.m., locomotives 2019 and 2057 were seen heading south towing 14 DBTCs and one CHC. Later in the afternoon, @ 3:03 p.m., those same locomotives were observed traversing the RSTL heading north. In tow were 22 DBTCs, four GTCs, and one CHC. In this case, the cars were loaded and there were no hot boxes to set fire to the right of way as the train headed north, as was the case the other day.
Sports news yesterday was 1/2 and 1/2. The Cubs lost to the Brewers in a one-sided rout, 2 - 11. The game was a makeup of a May rainout. Starting pitcher Mike Montgomery was shelled early and ultimately replaced on the mound by utility player Jon Jay, whose peak velocity barely moved the needle on the radar gun @ 56 mph! He actually floated one pitch over the plate @ 46 mph! The Cubs are now a sub-.500 team in the NL Central with a record of 42 - 43! The Brewers are a young club and they are leading the Cubs by 4.5 games. The 2nd place Cubs and the 4th place Pirates play in the "Friendly Confines" today @ 2:20 p.m.
The Tigers are still eight games below .500 in the AL Central following their win over the hapless San Francisco Giants yesterday, 6 - 2. The Tigers are going nowhere this season unless a major miracle occurs. I think we are about to see a fire-sale in Detroit. The Tigers play the Indians tonight @ 7:10 p.m.
My beloved Red Sox fell to the Rays last night, 1 - 4. The Sox still remain atop the AL East with an overall record of 49 - 37 following their loss and a loss by the 2nd place Yankees. The Sox and the Rays play again tonight @ 7:10 p.m.
The Caps are still flying high atop the MWL Central with their 3 - 2 win over the Lansing Lug Nuts. The Caps have a record in the 2nd half of their season of 11 - 4. They travel to Lake, County, OH to face the Captains tonight @ 7:00 p.m.
Other than that Severe Thunderstorm Alert, not much is happening. We can retire my puzzle building table to its regular status once our new dining room table arrives today. We ate lunch at our respective desks yesterday to make room for the carpet installers.
We visited the chiropractor for treatments on our respective aches and pains and special treatment on Mary's swollen left arm, which was bitten by some bug when she and Ginger were at the fireworks display on Tuesday. As of now, Mary's arm is looking much better. I told Mary that she cannot go outside without being fully covered until fall arrives.
The sun will rise today @ 6:13 a.m. and set tonight @ 9:28 p.m. Shortness was overridden by the Severe Thunderstorm Alert. Ciao.
I had hopes of keeping it shorter than my last post. I failed due to the Severe Thunderstorm Alert.
We show a current temperature of 65° under rainy skies. The temperature @ 1:15 a.m. didn't begin to describe what it was like outside. It was sultry, muggy, steamy, oppressive, I'll leave it to my fellow travelers through the minefield that is the English language to decide which word works/describes conditions the best. I was outside with Ginger @ 1:15 a.m. or so, and it felt like one of the above descriptive words. We are anticipating a high today of 73° under sunny skies with less humidity.
Just before 2:45 a.m. I heard a Severe Thunderstorm Alert on WOOD radio as I was listening to Coast to Coast AM. The alert is for Allegan, southern Kent County, Ionia County, and most of the counties in West MI, including Ottawa.County, which includes GH, for the next 3/4 of an hour! Penny-sized hail and severe T-storms are possible. I'm here watching out the WW. I am hearing the rumble of thunder and seeing the flash of lightning. I am also seeing that the winds are blowing strongly and the rain is falling, in torrents. No hail yet! I can see that our trash can has been blown over and the trash is being scattered across the front lawn and down the street! The winds may reach speeds of 70 mph! The Severe Thunderstorm Alert is in effect until 3:45 a.m. for GH! However, it appears that the storm is nearly over and has moved south and east of "The City!" I guess I won't have to water today. It's over! It is 4:00 a.m. and the storm has blown to the east and the morning hours will once again be calm
Speaking of Ginger, she went to daycare/grooming yesterday and she came back mega-tired. Here she is on her downstairs bed on the newly installed carpet in our living room shortly after her arrival. Let's just say that she needed a recharge from her exhausting day of running with the big dogs along with being groomed.
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| Please, let me sleep! |
I installed my new A/C unit in the window yesterday. The carpet installers carried it upstairs for me. It is advertised as the #1 rated quiet A/C unit on the market and it lives up to its billing. I am enjoying the benefits right now!
Trainspotting yesterday was interesting, as it usually is. At 10:10 a.m., locomotives 2019 and 2057 were seen heading south towing 14 DBTCs and one CHC. Later in the afternoon, @ 3:03 p.m., those same locomotives were observed traversing the RSTL heading north. In tow were 22 DBTCs, four GTCs, and one CHC. In this case, the cars were loaded and there were no hot boxes to set fire to the right of way as the train headed north, as was the case the other day.
Sports news yesterday was 1/2 and 1/2. The Cubs lost to the Brewers in a one-sided rout, 2 - 11. The game was a makeup of a May rainout. Starting pitcher Mike Montgomery was shelled early and ultimately replaced on the mound by utility player Jon Jay, whose peak velocity barely moved the needle on the radar gun @ 56 mph! He actually floated one pitch over the plate @ 46 mph! The Cubs are now a sub-.500 team in the NL Central with a record of 42 - 43! The Brewers are a young club and they are leading the Cubs by 4.5 games. The 2nd place Cubs and the 4th place Pirates play in the "Friendly Confines" today @ 2:20 p.m.
The Tigers are still eight games below .500 in the AL Central following their win over the hapless San Francisco Giants yesterday, 6 - 2. The Tigers are going nowhere this season unless a major miracle occurs. I think we are about to see a fire-sale in Detroit. The Tigers play the Indians tonight @ 7:10 p.m.
My beloved Red Sox fell to the Rays last night, 1 - 4. The Sox still remain atop the AL East with an overall record of 49 - 37 following their loss and a loss by the 2nd place Yankees. The Sox and the Rays play again tonight @ 7:10 p.m.
The Caps are still flying high atop the MWL Central with their 3 - 2 win over the Lansing Lug Nuts. The Caps have a record in the 2nd half of their season of 11 - 4. They travel to Lake, County, OH to face the Captains tonight @ 7:00 p.m.
Other than that Severe Thunderstorm Alert, not much is happening. We can retire my puzzle building table to its regular status once our new dining room table arrives today. We ate lunch at our respective desks yesterday to make room for the carpet installers.
We visited the chiropractor for treatments on our respective aches and pains and special treatment on Mary's swollen left arm, which was bitten by some bug when she and Ginger were at the fireworks display on Tuesday. As of now, Mary's arm is looking much better. I told Mary that she cannot go outside without being fully covered until fall arrives.
The sun will rise today @ 6:13 a.m. and set tonight @ 9:28 p.m. Shortness was overridden by the Severe Thunderstorm Alert. Ciao.
Thursday, July 6, 2017
Good morning or good evening, wherever you may be. It is just past 4:00 a.m. in "The City."
Well, as you can read, I am back on the blogosphere much sooner than I had hoped. The carpet has been laid in the media room and my office/weather center/music room with minimal damage, and I have reconnected the internet. Later this morning/afternoon, the carpet goes down in the dining room and living rooms. Then Friday, the carpet will be relaid in the bedroom and Mary's office while the new furniture is delivered. Then, we are done! I hope.
No trainspotting yesterday, unless you count the work truck that passed by on the RSTL
Speaking of sports, the Cubs have righted the ship for another game, but they are a study in opposites. I cite as proof yesterday's win over Cubs' manager Joe Maddon's former team, the Tampa Bay Rays 7 - 3, using a home run off the bat of pinch-hitter Jon Jay, a man with two first names, to tie the game and then singles and doubles from Ian Happ and Anthony Rizzo to score the next four runs. Starting pitcher John Lackey was lifted after throwing 79 pitches as a flare-up in his plantar fascitis caused him discomfort. He was quoted as saying, "I'm 38 years old." "I'm bothered by a lot of things." Yes, and so are the fans. At any rate, the Cubs returned to even in the NLCentral with a record of 42 - 42, three games in back of their opponent @ 2:20 p.m. the NL Central-leading Milwaukee Brewers, for a make-up game.
The Cubs close out their homestand with a three-game series against the Pirates over the weekend. In addition, Kyle Schwarber may be recalled from the AAA Iowa Cubs for the weekend series as Schwarber is finding his major-league hitting stroke there. Once again, here's hoping.
The Tigers were once again the Tigers, as they lost to the woeful San Francisco Giants, 4 - 5. That gives the Tigers an AL Central record of 37 - 46 as they limp into the All-Star break later this month. Several marquee players may be on the trading block as the Tigers attempt, like the Cubs of a few years ago, to rebuild for the future. The Tigers once again face the Giants today @ 1:10 p.m.
My beloved Red Sox fell to the Rangers in Texas yesterday, 2 - 8. The Sox still lead the AL East by four games over the losing Yankees. The Sox with their division-leading 49 - 36 record, face the Rays tonight @ 7:10 p.m.
The Caps also righted the ship as they defeated the Lansing Lug Nuts last night in an MWL East matchup, 6 - 5 to stay firmly in 1st place with a two game lead over the Ft. Wayne TinCaps. The Caps and their league-leading 10 - 4 record, and the Lug Nuts square off again tonight @ 7:05 p.m.
We have a current temperature of 64/68° under partly cloudy skies. The sun will be rising in about two hours @ 6:12 a.m., shortly before the carpet laying crew return for another day of fun here in the manse.
Mary discovered still another use for her new favorite kitchen tool, the dehydrator that she is now using to make vegan jerky, and baked tofu nuggets. She has a plan to try making seitan balls too once the carpet layers are out of the way.
Ginger will be going to daycare and grooming today to stay out of the way. She was very tired from yesterday's daycare session and she still has a Friday session to go. Ciao.
Well, as you can read, I am back on the blogosphere much sooner than I had hoped. The carpet has been laid in the media room and my office/weather center/music room with minimal damage, and I have reconnected the internet. Later this morning/afternoon, the carpet goes down in the dining room and living rooms. Then Friday, the carpet will be relaid in the bedroom and Mary's office while the new furniture is delivered. Then, we are done! I hope.
No trainspotting yesterday, unless you count the work truck that passed by on the RSTL
Speaking of sports, the Cubs have righted the ship for another game, but they are a study in opposites. I cite as proof yesterday's win over Cubs' manager Joe Maddon's former team, the Tampa Bay Rays 7 - 3, using a home run off the bat of pinch-hitter Jon Jay, a man with two first names, to tie the game and then singles and doubles from Ian Happ and Anthony Rizzo to score the next four runs. Starting pitcher John Lackey was lifted after throwing 79 pitches as a flare-up in his plantar fascitis caused him discomfort. He was quoted as saying, "I'm 38 years old." "I'm bothered by a lot of things." Yes, and so are the fans. At any rate, the Cubs returned to even in the NLCentral with a record of 42 - 42, three games in back of their opponent @ 2:20 p.m. the NL Central-leading Milwaukee Brewers, for a make-up game.
The Cubs close out their homestand with a three-game series against the Pirates over the weekend. In addition, Kyle Schwarber may be recalled from the AAA Iowa Cubs for the weekend series as Schwarber is finding his major-league hitting stroke there. Once again, here's hoping.
The Tigers were once again the Tigers, as they lost to the woeful San Francisco Giants, 4 - 5. That gives the Tigers an AL Central record of 37 - 46 as they limp into the All-Star break later this month. Several marquee players may be on the trading block as the Tigers attempt, like the Cubs of a few years ago, to rebuild for the future. The Tigers once again face the Giants today @ 1:10 p.m.
My beloved Red Sox fell to the Rangers in Texas yesterday, 2 - 8. The Sox still lead the AL East by four games over the losing Yankees. The Sox with their division-leading 49 - 36 record, face the Rays tonight @ 7:10 p.m.
The Caps also righted the ship as they defeated the Lansing Lug Nuts last night in an MWL East matchup, 6 - 5 to stay firmly in 1st place with a two game lead over the Ft. Wayne TinCaps. The Caps and their league-leading 10 - 4 record, and the Lug Nuts square off again tonight @ 7:05 p.m.
We have a current temperature of 64/68° under partly cloudy skies. The sun will be rising in about two hours @ 6:12 a.m., shortly before the carpet laying crew return for another day of fun here in the manse.
Mary discovered still another use for her new favorite kitchen tool, the dehydrator that she is now using to make vegan jerky, and baked tofu nuggets. She has a plan to try making seitan balls too once the carpet layers are out of the way.
Ginger will be going to daycare and grooming today to stay out of the way. She was very tired from yesterday's daycare session and she still has a Friday session to go. Ciao.
Wednesday, July 5, 2017
Good morning GH. It is just past 6:30 a.m. in "The City."
Of necessity and desire, I'm going to keep it short.
The current temperature is a muggy 61° under fair skies. The sun already rose @ 6:11 a.m. and will set on a much quieter GH later tonight @ 9:27 p.m.
Sports news yesterday was once again mixed.
The Cubs are still floundering, now having fallen to 41 - 42 in the NL Central following their latest loss to the Rays, 5 - 6, whom they play again today @ 2:20 p.m. They are in 2nd place in a very weak division.
The Tigers fared a bit better as they defeated the woeful San Francisco Giants, 5 - 3 to move to 4th place in the AL Central @ 37 - 45, one-half game ahead of the 5th place team that hails from Chicago. The Tigers and the Giants play again tonight @ 7:10 p.m.
My beloved Red Sox put a whooping on the Texas Rangers and Yu Darvish, 11 - 4, although the score wasn't as close as it seems. Once Sox' starter David Price left the game, the relievers gave up those four runs. Price was masterful. Mookie Betts went 0 - 5 but did contribute a highlight reel catch early in the game. The Sox and the Rangers play again tonight @ 8:05 p.m.
The Caps are finally looking human as they lost to the Lug Nuts, 4 - 10 in an MWL East matchup. The Caps are still in first place by one game over the Tin Caps. The Caps and the Lug Nuts play again tonight @ 7:05 p.m.
Yesterday was the 4th of July, as everyone knows and of course, poor STWD was terrified, spending most of her day and evening in one of her hide-e-holes wearing her Thundershirt™. She seems to have survived, but I had to take her out this morning so that she could release her pent up frustrations, so to speak.
I opted to watch/listen to baseball last night rather than to go view the fireworks with Mary, Ginger and 50,000 of our neighbors. Mary took some pictures of the events and of the aftermath and I did see some of the displays out the window in Mary's office. Mary got eaten by the bugs while out and Ginger was nonplussed by everything, except for the attentive children near Central Park.
Mary returned and we watched out her window and then Mary went downstairs to watch the exodus from the front porch. I'll include some of the pictures here without much commentary.
Otherwise, not much is on tap for today. We should have some carpeting later today and I will be off-line for a few days while that is happening. We'll be taking Ginger to daycare this morning for three days of fun with her friends and to avoid the carpet installers. Ciao.
Of necessity and desire, I'm going to keep it short.
The current temperature is a muggy 61° under fair skies. The sun already rose @ 6:11 a.m. and will set on a much quieter GH later tonight @ 9:27 p.m.
Sports news yesterday was once again mixed.
The Cubs are still floundering, now having fallen to 41 - 42 in the NL Central following their latest loss to the Rays, 5 - 6, whom they play again today @ 2:20 p.m. They are in 2nd place in a very weak division.
The Tigers fared a bit better as they defeated the woeful San Francisco Giants, 5 - 3 to move to 4th place in the AL Central @ 37 - 45, one-half game ahead of the 5th place team that hails from Chicago. The Tigers and the Giants play again tonight @ 7:10 p.m.
My beloved Red Sox put a whooping on the Texas Rangers and Yu Darvish, 11 - 4, although the score wasn't as close as it seems. Once Sox' starter David Price left the game, the relievers gave up those four runs. Price was masterful. Mookie Betts went 0 - 5 but did contribute a highlight reel catch early in the game. The Sox and the Rangers play again tonight @ 8:05 p.m.
The Caps are finally looking human as they lost to the Lug Nuts, 4 - 10 in an MWL East matchup. The Caps are still in first place by one game over the Tin Caps. The Caps and the Lug Nuts play again tonight @ 7:05 p.m.
Yesterday was the 4th of July, as everyone knows and of course, poor STWD was terrified, spending most of her day and evening in one of her hide-e-holes wearing her Thundershirt™. She seems to have survived, but I had to take her out this morning so that she could release her pent up frustrations, so to speak.
I opted to watch/listen to baseball last night rather than to go view the fireworks with Mary, Ginger and 50,000 of our neighbors. Mary took some pictures of the events and of the aftermath and I did see some of the displays out the window in Mary's office. Mary got eaten by the bugs while out and Ginger was nonplussed by everything, except for the attentive children near Central Park.
Mary returned and we watched out her window and then Mary went downstairs to watch the exodus from the front porch. I'll include some of the pictures here without much commentary.
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| I liked this one because of the surreal nature of the image. |
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| Mary and Ginger got shot this while down on Washington. |
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| This one too, and I like the look. |
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| Same here. |
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| Out the office window. |
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| Same. |
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| Also the same. |
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| The exodus as taken from the front porch of the manse. |
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| A sea of tail lights late last night. |
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| Once again, I liked the surreal quality of Mary's photo. |
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| The moon over GH. |
Otherwise, not much is on tap for today. We should have some carpeting later today and I will be off-line for a few days while that is happening. We'll be taking Ginger to daycare this morning for three days of fun with her friends and to avoid the carpet installers. Ciao.
Tuesday, July 4, 2017
Good morning or good evening, wherever you may be. It is just past 2:00 a.m. in "The City."
I have to concur with the clan from Illinois, Raig, Nancy, Amanda, et al, that the idiots can't wait to terrorize the dogs of the area. At 12:00:01 a.m. this morning, the "Patriots" couldn't wait to start shooting off the fireworks in their arsenals. Poor STWD was terrified all evening, and then once the idiocy started in earnest, she was quaking next to the bed. Her fears will be once again be manifested all day and into tonight as the "Patriots" can't wait to demonstrate that they are more patriotic than anyone else.
The "Patriots" can't wait for the GH sponsored fireworks show that starts about 10:00 p.m. tonight and lasts for about 45 minutes including the ground show. This annual event draws crowds of over 50,000 to our little city from all over the Tri-Cities area and much of Western MI. Also @ 12:00:01:01 this morning, people were allowed to place blankets or other markers in the city parks near Dewey Hill from whence the fireworks and the Musical Fountain originate, to mark their chosen spaces. The fireworks immediately follow a display from GH's own world famous Musical Fountain. Mary, Ginger and yours truly may walk down to Washington Ave. to see what we can see from near the manse.
Whereas STWD is terrorized by the booms, Ginger is merely curious. Then, we'll return to the front porch of the PE and watch the crowds take about two hours to leave "The City" by foot and automobile and return to their respective homes.
Speaking of July 4th idiots/idiocy, the public safety authorities were beefing up their ranks in South Haven to forestall the craziness that happened there last year. Unfortunately, the idiots moved to GH and our own Grand Haven State Park on the shores of the "Big Lake" and it took officers from our small city Department of Public Safety in GH, nearby Norton Shores, and the MI State Police to break up about 10 separate fights in a park where no alcohol is allowed. Normally, the GH Department of Public Safety does not patrol the state park, but the park personnel called for help when the craziness got out of hand. I've included a video feed from WOOD TV regarding the incident.
https://video.search.yahoo.com/search/video?fr=tightropetb&p=fights+at+grand+haven+state+park#id=1&vid=80c627a5243078401ad030418b6313b7&action=click
The Rowdies were finally dispersed and returned to their cars near the YMCA and also the downtown area to depart for at least another year, we hope.
Trainspotting yesterday took on a new dimension. STWD, Ginger, Mary, my apprentice trainspotter, and I watched the southbound train go by on the RSTL @ about 10:50 a.m. yesterday. Locomotives 2019 and 2057 were heading south and in tow were one CHC, three DWTCs, and 23 DBTCs. Later, @ 4:01 p.m in the afternoon, Ginger came flying down the stairs to assist me in spotting those same two locomotives as they headed north towing eight CHCs, three DWTCs, and 55 DBTs.
As an aside, I heard one of the DBTCs squealing more than usual as it passed and I believe it had what trainmen refer to as a "Hotbox" which is a bearing lacking lubrication, on one of its trucks. I learned from Mary late last night, that that train sparked several fires along the right of way heading to Muskegon, north of GH. According to a story on the Grand Haven Tribune's website, the first call came in to firefighters @ 4:30 p.m. I am relatively certain that the same train was the culprit. I suspect that the "Hotbox" was sparking those fires. Not a good thing when the "Hotbox" was on one of the DBTCs filled with crude oil.
Sports news yesterday was relatively benign. Both the Cubs and the Tigers had the day off, so there was no change in their relative positions in their respective divisions. The 41 - 41 Cubs are still in 2nd place in the NL Central following their 6 - 2 win over the Reds on Sunday, while the 38 - 45 Tigers are now firmly ensconced in 5th place in the AL Central following their 8 - 11 loss to the Indians on Sunday. The Cubs play @ the Tampa Bay Rays today @ 2:20 p.m. and the Tigers are home to take on the woeful, 33 - 51 in the NL West, San Francisco Giants @ 1:10 p.m.
My beloved Red Sox took 11 innings last night to defeat the Texas Ranges 7 - 5. That finds the Sox a season-high 13 games over .500 in the AL East, three full games ahead of the Yankees. All good! The Sox and their left-handed pitcher, David Price, are in Texas again tonight to face the Rangers and their ace pitcher, Yu Darvish @ 8:05 p.m.
The Caps had a good weekend, taking two of three from the Great Lakes Loons and moving their MWL East record to 9 - 3, a full 2.0 games ahead of the Ft. Wayne TinCaps. The Caps are home tonight to face the Lansing Lug Nuts @ 7:05 p.m.
Elsewhere in the local news, we had our first outdoor cookout on Sunday, just before the rains came. With Mary's preparations and my grilling expertise, we had a great repast that consisted of roasted corn, roasted broccoli, and grilled vegan sausages that Mary had made the day before.
Here are some pictures of our first, of what we hope to me many more, outdoor meals.
We have a current temperature of 65° under clear skies. Ginger was in to visit while I was writing this blog, but declined a trip to the great outdoors when invited. According to the forecast from the NWS, the high-temperature today is expected to peak @ 84° under sunny skies. The sun will rise @ 6:10 a.m. and set @ 9:27 p.m. In between, I'll be reading and playing with the girls, and Mary will be in the kitchen. Ciao.
I have to concur with the clan from Illinois, Raig, Nancy, Amanda, et al, that the idiots can't wait to terrorize the dogs of the area. At 12:00:01 a.m. this morning, the "Patriots" couldn't wait to start shooting off the fireworks in their arsenals. Poor STWD was terrified all evening, and then once the idiocy started in earnest, she was quaking next to the bed. Her fears will be once again be manifested all day and into tonight as the "Patriots" can't wait to demonstrate that they are more patriotic than anyone else.
The "Patriots" can't wait for the GH sponsored fireworks show that starts about 10:00 p.m. tonight and lasts for about 45 minutes including the ground show. This annual event draws crowds of over 50,000 to our little city from all over the Tri-Cities area and much of Western MI. Also @ 12:00:01:01 this morning, people were allowed to place blankets or other markers in the city parks near Dewey Hill from whence the fireworks and the Musical Fountain originate, to mark their chosen spaces. The fireworks immediately follow a display from GH's own world famous Musical Fountain. Mary, Ginger and yours truly may walk down to Washington Ave. to see what we can see from near the manse.
Whereas STWD is terrorized by the booms, Ginger is merely curious. Then, we'll return to the front porch of the PE and watch the crowds take about two hours to leave "The City" by foot and automobile and return to their respective homes.
Speaking of July 4th idiots/idiocy, the public safety authorities were beefing up their ranks in South Haven to forestall the craziness that happened there last year. Unfortunately, the idiots moved to GH and our own Grand Haven State Park on the shores of the "Big Lake" and it took officers from our small city Department of Public Safety in GH, nearby Norton Shores, and the MI State Police to break up about 10 separate fights in a park where no alcohol is allowed. Normally, the GH Department of Public Safety does not patrol the state park, but the park personnel called for help when the craziness got out of hand. I've included a video feed from WOOD TV regarding the incident.
https://video.search.yahoo.com/search/video?fr=tightropetb&p=fights+at+grand+haven+state+park#id=1&vid=80c627a5243078401ad030418b6313b7&action=click
The Rowdies were finally dispersed and returned to their cars near the YMCA and also the downtown area to depart for at least another year, we hope.
Trainspotting yesterday took on a new dimension. STWD, Ginger, Mary, my apprentice trainspotter, and I watched the southbound train go by on the RSTL @ about 10:50 a.m. yesterday. Locomotives 2019 and 2057 were heading south and in tow were one CHC, three DWTCs, and 23 DBTCs. Later, @ 4:01 p.m in the afternoon, Ginger came flying down the stairs to assist me in spotting those same two locomotives as they headed north towing eight CHCs, three DWTCs, and 55 DBTs.
As an aside, I heard one of the DBTCs squealing more than usual as it passed and I believe it had what trainmen refer to as a "Hotbox" which is a bearing lacking lubrication, on one of its trucks. I learned from Mary late last night, that that train sparked several fires along the right of way heading to Muskegon, north of GH. According to a story on the Grand Haven Tribune's website, the first call came in to firefighters @ 4:30 p.m. I am relatively certain that the same train was the culprit. I suspect that the "Hotbox" was sparking those fires. Not a good thing when the "Hotbox" was on one of the DBTCs filled with crude oil.
Sports news yesterday was relatively benign. Both the Cubs and the Tigers had the day off, so there was no change in their relative positions in their respective divisions. The 41 - 41 Cubs are still in 2nd place in the NL Central following their 6 - 2 win over the Reds on Sunday, while the 38 - 45 Tigers are now firmly ensconced in 5th place in the AL Central following their 8 - 11 loss to the Indians on Sunday. The Cubs play @ the Tampa Bay Rays today @ 2:20 p.m. and the Tigers are home to take on the woeful, 33 - 51 in the NL West, San Francisco Giants @ 1:10 p.m.
My beloved Red Sox took 11 innings last night to defeat the Texas Ranges 7 - 5. That finds the Sox a season-high 13 games over .500 in the AL East, three full games ahead of the Yankees. All good! The Sox and their left-handed pitcher, David Price, are in Texas again tonight to face the Rangers and their ace pitcher, Yu Darvish @ 8:05 p.m.
The Caps had a good weekend, taking two of three from the Great Lakes Loons and moving their MWL East record to 9 - 3, a full 2.0 games ahead of the Ft. Wayne TinCaps. The Caps are home tonight to face the Lansing Lug Nuts @ 7:05 p.m.
Elsewhere in the local news, we had our first outdoor cookout on Sunday, just before the rains came. With Mary's preparations and my grilling expertise, we had a great repast that consisted of roasted corn, roasted broccoli, and grilled vegan sausages that Mary had made the day before.
Here are some pictures of our first, of what we hope to me many more, outdoor meals.
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| The grill was hot and the various foods were quickly ready. Note my use of heat resistant gloves in the cooking process. |
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| With all the condiments, like sauerkraut and jalapeno mustard for the sausages, the meal was perfect. |
Sunday, July 2, 2017
Good morning or good evening, wherever you may be. It is just past 3:30 a.m. in "The City."
As is often the case, I was listening to Coast to Coast AM, in this case with George Noory's guest host, Lisa Garr, who is the regular host of a show entitled The Aware Show, on KTLA in San Francisco. She is a student/practitioner of a lifestyle that emphasizes personal awareness and self-help and has interviewed hundreds of guests on many subjects. As such, she was interviewing Paul Selig, a psychic and medium. Her next guest was to be William Peters, a practitioner, and believer in a smooth transition/crossing at the end of life. Whew, this is way too heavy for me so I changed stations.
At any rate, I had a very productive day yesterday. Since it was a sunny day, I decided it was the perfect opportunity to apply the stain to my recently power washed deck. It should be dry later today and everything can be returned to its rightful place on the deck and we can once again enjoy the great outdoors in/on the PE.
Mary was busy in the kitchen while I was staining the deck, whipping up another batch of vegan sausages and vegan jerky, which I had a small part in preparing. Earlier this morning, I was downstairs and added my second contribution, I washed the steamer and the dehydrator used in the preparation. The sausages are excellent and the jerky is too.
Speaking of sports, which I guess I wasn't until now, the Cubs fell apart yesterday in Cincinnati versus the Reds. In spite of taking an early lead using home runs, they ultimately succumbed to the Reds, 3 - 5. That drops the Cubs to 40 - 41, still in 2nd place in the very weak NL Central, three games behind the Milwaukee Brewers with their record of 44 - 39. In other NL divisions, the Brewers would be in second or third place and the Cubs, well, use your imagination. The Cubs try again today to return to .500 against the Reds @ 1:10 p.m.
The Tigers split a pair yesterday against the Indians in an AL Central matchup, losing one game 1 - 4 and winning another 7 - 4 to remain even and still in 4th place. The Tigers and the Indians play again today, also @ 1:10 p.m.
My beloved Red Sox are now two full games ahead of the Yankees and in first place in the AL East with a record of 46 - 35. The Yankees lost to the Astros while the Sox were defeating the Bluejays, 7 - 1. The Sox and the Bluejays play again today @ 1:07 p.m. What's with those odd starting times anyway, eh?
The Caps seized sole possession of 1st place in the MWL East by one game over the Ft. Wayne TinCaps and the Lake, County Captains with the Caps convincing win over the Great Lakes Loons, 8 - 3 last night. The Caps and the Loons play this afternoon @ 2:05 p.m.
We have a current temperature of 65° per the NWS and the skies are clear. Later this evening, that same NWS is forecasting a 60% chance of T-storms, but that is more likely true in GR than it is here on the shores of the "Big Lake." So, watering is likely for me.
The sun will rise in a few hours @ 6:09 a.m. and set late tonight @ 9:28 p.m. Ciao.
As is often the case, I was listening to Coast to Coast AM, in this case with George Noory's guest host, Lisa Garr, who is the regular host of a show entitled The Aware Show, on KTLA in San Francisco. She is a student/practitioner of a lifestyle that emphasizes personal awareness and self-help and has interviewed hundreds of guests on many subjects. As such, she was interviewing Paul Selig, a psychic and medium. Her next guest was to be William Peters, a practitioner, and believer in a smooth transition/crossing at the end of life. Whew, this is way too heavy for me so I changed stations.
At any rate, I had a very productive day yesterday. Since it was a sunny day, I decided it was the perfect opportunity to apply the stain to my recently power washed deck. It should be dry later today and everything can be returned to its rightful place on the deck and we can once again enjoy the great outdoors in/on the PE.
Mary was busy in the kitchen while I was staining the deck, whipping up another batch of vegan sausages and vegan jerky, which I had a small part in preparing. Earlier this morning, I was downstairs and added my second contribution, I washed the steamer and the dehydrator used in the preparation. The sausages are excellent and the jerky is too.
Speaking of sports, which I guess I wasn't until now, the Cubs fell apart yesterday in Cincinnati versus the Reds. In spite of taking an early lead using home runs, they ultimately succumbed to the Reds, 3 - 5. That drops the Cubs to 40 - 41, still in 2nd place in the very weak NL Central, three games behind the Milwaukee Brewers with their record of 44 - 39. In other NL divisions, the Brewers would be in second or third place and the Cubs, well, use your imagination. The Cubs try again today to return to .500 against the Reds @ 1:10 p.m.
The Tigers split a pair yesterday against the Indians in an AL Central matchup, losing one game 1 - 4 and winning another 7 - 4 to remain even and still in 4th place. The Tigers and the Indians play again today, also @ 1:10 p.m.
My beloved Red Sox are now two full games ahead of the Yankees and in first place in the AL East with a record of 46 - 35. The Yankees lost to the Astros while the Sox were defeating the Bluejays, 7 - 1. The Sox and the Bluejays play again today @ 1:07 p.m. What's with those odd starting times anyway, eh?
The Caps seized sole possession of 1st place in the MWL East by one game over the Ft. Wayne TinCaps and the Lake, County Captains with the Caps convincing win over the Great Lakes Loons, 8 - 3 last night. The Caps and the Loons play this afternoon @ 2:05 p.m.
We have a current temperature of 65° per the NWS and the skies are clear. Later this evening, that same NWS is forecasting a 60% chance of T-storms, but that is more likely true in GR than it is here on the shores of the "Big Lake." So, watering is likely for me.
The sun will rise in a few hours @ 6:09 a.m. and set late tonight @ 9:28 p.m. Ciao.
Saturday, July 1, 2017
Good morning or good evening, wherever you may be. It is just past 4:00 a.m. in "The City."
I tried to stay in bed and go back to sleep, but alas, I just couldn't do it, so here I am. I took a few minutes to run some of the virus programs on my computer and that allowed me to do some reading in The Cubs Way. I am learning a great deal about the philosophy that Theo Epstein brought to the Cubs and how us long-suffering fans were finally requited in our quest for a World Series win after 108 years. However, the reading is also making me wonder what is wrong with the Cubs this season.
Last night, the Cubs were able to see some spectacular play from one of the players that Epstein had drafted in his plan to make the Cubs a winner, Albert Almora Jr. He made a throw from center field that is worthy of a highlight reel. However, in spite of that throw and in spite of the good news regarding the right ankle sprain of Kris Bryant and in spite of the strikeouts recorded by starter Mike Montgomery, the Cubs lost to the Reds, 0 - 5, The Cubs fell to 40 - 40 and stayed in 2nd place in the NL Central. The Cubs and the Reds play again today @ 4:10 p.m.
The Tigers and the Indians were rained out last night so they will make up that game on September 1, as part of a Twi-night double header. The Tigers maintained their solid hold on 4th place in the AL Central with a record of 35 - 43. The rumor mill is grinding regarding the trade availability of several marquee players from the current squad, including pitching ace, Justin Verlander. Unfortunately, as I've mentioned before, those players come with big contracts and lots of baseball mileage on them, so who knows? At any rate, the Tigers play the Indians again today @ 1:10 p.m.
My beloved Red Sox came from behind to defeat the Bluejays last night, 7 - 4, in Toronto. That win allows the Sox to remain in 1st place in the AL East with a record of 45 - 35, one full game ahead of the Yankees who manhandled the Astros, 13 - 4. The Sox and the Bluejays play again today @ 1:07 p.m.
The Caps lost to the Great Lakes Loons last night, 3 - 4. That gives the Caps a 7 - 2 record in the MWL East and keeps them tied for 1st place with the Ft. Wayne TinCaps. The Caps and the Loons play tonight @ 7:05 p.m.
We have a current temperature of 66° under partly cloudy skies. Today's high has been forecast by the NWS to be 73°, also under partly cloudy skies. There is only a 20% chance of precipitation today. We anticipate temperatures to slowly rise over the next few days towards Tuesday's high of 80°. No significant precipitation is in that forecast, so I'll be watering every other day for the veggies and every day for he new sod. The sun will rise shortly @ 6:09 a.m. and set @ 9:28 p.m.
Mary has plans to do some vegan sausage making/steaming today along with more crafty type things. I understand that she nearly threw her latest project across the room when she discovered that her yarn had been tied together at one color change point. Apparently, she overcame that urge and continued the project later.
I am so over the latest round of home repair/remodeling mania. I want our carpeting installed, I want our furniture delivered, and I want the house to settle back to some semblance of normal, whatever that is. Not today, not tomorrow, but Wednesday thru Friday of next week if all goes according to plan. The carpet will be installed and then the furniture can be delivered shortly thereafter. Ciao.
I tried to stay in bed and go back to sleep, but alas, I just couldn't do it, so here I am. I took a few minutes to run some of the virus programs on my computer and that allowed me to do some reading in The Cubs Way. I am learning a great deal about the philosophy that Theo Epstein brought to the Cubs and how us long-suffering fans were finally requited in our quest for a World Series win after 108 years. However, the reading is also making me wonder what is wrong with the Cubs this season.
Last night, the Cubs were able to see some spectacular play from one of the players that Epstein had drafted in his plan to make the Cubs a winner, Albert Almora Jr. He made a throw from center field that is worthy of a highlight reel. However, in spite of that throw and in spite of the good news regarding the right ankle sprain of Kris Bryant and in spite of the strikeouts recorded by starter Mike Montgomery, the Cubs lost to the Reds, 0 - 5, The Cubs fell to 40 - 40 and stayed in 2nd place in the NL Central. The Cubs and the Reds play again today @ 4:10 p.m.
The Tigers and the Indians were rained out last night so they will make up that game on September 1, as part of a Twi-night double header. The Tigers maintained their solid hold on 4th place in the AL Central with a record of 35 - 43. The rumor mill is grinding regarding the trade availability of several marquee players from the current squad, including pitching ace, Justin Verlander. Unfortunately, as I've mentioned before, those players come with big contracts and lots of baseball mileage on them, so who knows? At any rate, the Tigers play the Indians again today @ 1:10 p.m.
My beloved Red Sox came from behind to defeat the Bluejays last night, 7 - 4, in Toronto. That win allows the Sox to remain in 1st place in the AL East with a record of 45 - 35, one full game ahead of the Yankees who manhandled the Astros, 13 - 4. The Sox and the Bluejays play again today @ 1:07 p.m.
The Caps lost to the Great Lakes Loons last night, 3 - 4. That gives the Caps a 7 - 2 record in the MWL East and keeps them tied for 1st place with the Ft. Wayne TinCaps. The Caps and the Loons play tonight @ 7:05 p.m.
We have a current temperature of 66° under partly cloudy skies. Today's high has been forecast by the NWS to be 73°, also under partly cloudy skies. There is only a 20% chance of precipitation today. We anticipate temperatures to slowly rise over the next few days towards Tuesday's high of 80°. No significant precipitation is in that forecast, so I'll be watering every other day for the veggies and every day for he new sod. The sun will rise shortly @ 6:09 a.m. and set @ 9:28 p.m.
Mary has plans to do some vegan sausage making/steaming today along with more crafty type things. I understand that she nearly threw her latest project across the room when she discovered that her yarn had been tied together at one color change point. Apparently, she overcame that urge and continued the project later.
I am so over the latest round of home repair/remodeling mania. I want our carpeting installed, I want our furniture delivered, and I want the house to settle back to some semblance of normal, whatever that is. Not today, not tomorrow, but Wednesday thru Friday of next week if all goes according to plan. The carpet will be installed and then the furniture can be delivered shortly thereafter. Ciao.
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