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

Once again, I broke my rule yesterday, you know the one about doing as little as possible. However, I enjoyed my time in the kitchen, so it was a labor of love, so to speak.

I took the fur-children out after their breakfast yesterday, but since it was starting to rain. The rain was of and on all day, but I had to force the issue. They made their final visits last night around 11:00 p.m., in between the rain drops. 

Speaking of rain, we had a break until late last night and then it came down in sheets. It would have been nice to have all that rain during the growing season. It looks like we'll get a respite from the rain today, but the forecast from the NWS calls for rain both tomorrow and Wednesday with a 70% chance. But, you know what I think about the forecasts and their impact on our little corner of the world here in the Tri-Cities area.

As a way of illustrating my point, the NWS is reporting a barometric pressure of 29.80" and rising, while my DTWS is reporting 29.24" and falling. The NWS reading indicates fair weather ahead, while my reading indicates rain is likely. 

We have a current temperature of 56º that feels more like 54º with a nine mph wind out of the west. 

The Small Craft Advisory continues in effect until 8:00 p.m. tomorrow night, with winds from 15 to 25 knots and gusts to 30 knots and waves from four to six feet in height. 

The sun will rise this morning@ 7:40 a.m. and set later @ 7:28 p.m.

The Cubs have yet to name their starting RHP for the start of the Wild-Card game against the Miami Marlins on Wednesday @ 2:08 p.m. It might be Yu Darvish, or Kyle Hendricks, both of whom have been major reasons why the Cubs won their division in this shortened season. Will the rain spoil my afternoon plans? Stay tuned.

I tried a new recipe for vegan hammish yesterday that we'll taste-test later today. I also made another batch of my semi-famous vegan Italian meatballs. I like how this batch turned out, but what I did different, I don't know. At any rate, Mary converted four of the meatballs into part of our dinner. She went back to the old way she used to make the pasta sauce that included diced tomatoes, and she also added fresh basil from our own vast gardens. I like this version the best.

I've been enjoying my latest novel, Long Range by C. J. Box much more than my attempt at enjoyment of the novel I sent back to the library.

We finished our latest TV series, The Paradise, and we were satisfied with the ending. We are trying another series, but as yet, we are unsure about its future here at the manse.

Tonight, we will likely have more reasons to support our chosen candidate in the upcoming election on November 3, 2020, as we view the debate. Whomever you choose to support, be sure to get out and vote for your chosen person, but don't forget that the down-ballot races are just as important, maybe more so, than the top of the ballot race.

Otherwise, I have a couple of routine appointments today at two different doctor's offices and that's about it for me. It is unlikely that I'll get to the indoor chores today. Mary will likely continue her crafting and other activities. Ciao.

Good morning or good evening, wherever you  may be, across the nation and across the world. It is just past 5:30 a.m. in "The City."

Sports news yesterday was mostly positive, but not without its share of ups and downs. 

"Da 3 - 0 Bears", once again surprised me. First, by benching once and former starting QB Mitch Trubisky in favor of backup and newly installed starting QB Nick Foles. Secondly, by coming back from a huge deficit to win their game over the 0 - 3 Falcons, 30 - 26. Foles is now the starting QB, while Trubisky, a former number two draft pick by "Da Bears", is relegated to being the backup. 

In addition, "Da Bears" lost all purpose RB, receiver, and kick returner, Tarik Cohen, for the season with a torn ACL in his right knee. "Da Bears" play the 2 - 1 Colts next Sunday @ 1:00 p.m. EDT.

The 1 - 2 Detroit Lions won their game over the 2 - 1 AZ Cardinals, 26 - 23. They may have saved head coach, Matt Patricia's job for another week. The Lions play the 1 - 2 Saints next week, also @ 1:00 p.m. EDT. The Saints fell to the 3 - 0 Green Bay Packers yesterday, 30 - 37 and the Saints will be hungry when they face the Lions.

In baseball, the 34 - 26 Cubs nearly lost their final "Regular Season" game to that 35 - 24 other team from Chicago, but they hun on for a 10- - 8 win. The Cubs face the Marlins @ 2:00 p.m. EDT Wednesday to open their post-season play. 

My beloved 24 - 36 Red Sox handily defeated the 35 - 25 Braves yesterday, as Nick RHP Nick Pivetta, 2 - 0 staked a claim on a spot in next season's pitching rotation with a solid performance. Sadly, the Sox said goodbye to manager Ron Roenicke before yesterday's game and they are once again in search of a manager.

The 22 - 35 Tigers didn't fare so well, as they scored only one run for rookie LHP Tarik Skubal, 1 - 4, in their final game. The Tigers are counting on Skubal and Casey Mize to continue to show progress as the team rebuilds for the future. 

We have a current temperature of 55º with rain falling. The NWS is forecasting the rain to abate for today, but the forecast calls for more on Wednesday and Thursday. In addition, there is a Small Craft Advisory going into effect @ 1:00 p.m. today through 8:00 p.m. Wednesday. 

That forecast is why I opted to eschew "Da Bears" game for a walkabout in the cemetery with our fur-children. Once again, I took along my camera and I was rewarded with some terrific pix of wild turkeys and the many markers in a portion of the cemetery we have never visited before. 

We were in search of the turkeys destination when we made a turn that we had not taken before and we found ourselves in a section that was reserved for the many children who passed way too early here in GH.

While they rest, they are not forgotten. 

In addition, that area of the cemetery allowed us to view and photograph markers we had not seen previously. 

One of the few mausoleums, a founding family, who has a local street named in their honor.

A marker for another founding family, also with a street named in their honor too. 

I just had to snap this pic.

In addition, the cemetery always provides shots of interest to me.

A real tree stump.

A stone tree stump to support,

This book-shaped marker.

I just liked this shot.

I've often described Mary's volunteer work at the library on the "Tad" files.

I've already finished the crossword puzzle from Friday's edition of the Grand Haven Tribune. 

Today, we have nothing on the schedule that can't be done indoors. Lot's of music to play, lots of books to read, and one final episode of The Paradise to watch. Ciao.

Good morning or good evening, wherever you may be, across the nation and across the world. It is just past 3:30 a.m. in "The City."

Did you miss me? Probably not. But that's okay, because I needed the sleep more than you needed to read my blog. 

Since I missed a Saturday blog, let me state for the record that the 33 - 26 Cubs beat that 35 - 24 other team from Chicago Friday night, 10 - 0. However, last night's game had a much different outcome. Losing LHP Jon Lester, 3 - 3, was unable to hold the lead that a Kris Bryant Grand Slam in the top of the third inning gave the Cubs His homer was supposedly powered by the good luck chains he and teammate Anthony Rizzo were wearing. Those four runs were the last that the Cubs' would score as that other team answered with five runs of their own in the bottom of the frame and then two more later in the game. 

The Cubs backed into the NL Central Division title because the Brewers beat the Cardinals. We'll take it, but unless things change, the Cubs won't last long in the post-season. 

This afternoon's game features the stylings of rookie RHP Adbert Alzolay, 0 - 1, @  3:10 p.m. EDT.

My beloved 23 - 36 Red Sox pounced on the 35 - 24 Braves last night, 8 - 2, behind the superb pitching of rookies RHP Tanner Houck. 3 - 0. Houck struck out 10 to finish this shortened season with style. The Sox close out the 2020 season today @ 3:10 p.m. EDT, when RHP Nick Pivetta, 1 - 0 takes the mound for the beloved. 

On a possibly sad note, Jackie Bradley Jr. may be playing in his final game as a Red Sox outfielder. He will be a free agent afterwards. Will the Sox resign him? He may be too costly for a team that gave up on Mookie Betts last year. Time will tell.

The 23 - 34 Tigers, eked out a win in Kansas City last night over the 25 - 34 Royals, 4 - 3. with LHP Matthew Boyd flashing the form that the Tigers had hoped to see all year. Boyd is 3 - 7 with a 6.71 ERA. There's always that familiar, "Next Year" for the Tigers, who close out their disappointing 2020 season with a game today @ 1:10 p.m. when RHP Jordan Zimmerman, 0 - 0 makes the start. 

Yesterday's game saw the Tigers lose two players to injuries, necessitating catcher Austin Romine to take off the "Tools of ignorance" and move to first base for the balance of the game. He also had a good day at the plate. 

The current temperature is 69º under clear skies, It feels like 69º in spite of the 23 mph winds that have caused the NWS to issue a Beach Hazard Statement for Mason, Oceana, Ottawa, and Muskegon counties until 2:00 p.m. today. There is also a  Small Craft Advisory for that same time, from St. Joseph to Grand Haven. Winds of 15 to 25 knots and gusts to 35 knots will produce waves of four to seven feet in height. The surf will be up, much to the enjoyment of local surfers, but small craft should stay in port.

We went to the cemetery for a walkabout with the fur-children @ about 3:30 p.m. Friday afternoon, and as we traveled south on Sheldon Ave., three deer ran across the road directly in front of us. They aren't usually out at that hour. I think it has to do with the decreasing grazing area available to the deer population of GH. 

Yesterday, in spite of my original intentions. I repaired to the kitchen and baked another apple pie, my best to date. I say that with no brag, just the facts. It was such a great effort, pat, pat, pat, that I had our Senior Staff Photographer snap a pic with her Smart Phone camera.

Not just a pie, but an "Apple Pie."

I have only a few specialties, but pies are one of my best. 

Today, I may or may not watch the 2 - 0 Bears play the 0 - 2 Atlanta Falcons @ 1:00 p.m. The 0 - 2 Detroit Lions are are in AZ for a 4:25 game versus the 2 - 0 Cardinals. Are the Bears really a good 2 - 0 team? I doubt it. Are the Lions a not so good 0 - 2 team? I believe their record speaks for itself. 

Having accomplished the indoor chores I had  on my agenda yesterday, I plan to kick back and be retired today. Well, I may stop by the kitchen and do something. Mary made the meals yesterday, using up some leftovers for lunch, and making a very tasty baked macaroni and cheeze casserole for dinner. 

We watched more of the dwindling number of episodes of The Paradise along with a couple of episodes of Dharma and Greg. 

Otherwise, not much is happening. We may go walkabout with the fur-children if the air is cleared out by the windy conditions. Otherwise, Mary will be reading, as will I. Perhaps more crossword solving too. Life is easy when your choices are limited by the places you can visit. Ciao.

Good morning or good evening, wherever you may be, across the nation and across the world. It is just past 6:00 a.m. in "The City."

I did more yesterday than I had planned, but it was my choice to do so. I did a little cleaning, I made it to the man-cave, did some additional cleaning there and a glue-up there, and I did a bit more reading of a book that I am abandoning due to it becoming formulaic and boring. Like I've said many times, I am too old to waste my time slogging through a book that makes me work. I also discovered that the books I have in my queue are one's I've already read or one's that I simply don't want to carry around with me. 

That leads me to the fact that Mary traveled to the library yesterday to return some books and to pick up others. I should have sent all of the those I have on hand along for the ride. Maybe today, if we go out. 

Meanwhile, the current temperature is 61º under clear skies and it feels like 61º with a 5 mph wind. Today, the sun will rise @ 7:36 a.m. and set exactly 12 hours later @ 7:36 p.m. 

My description and accounts of the Cub's game should not be reproduced, rebroadcast or otherwise used without the express written consent of the Chicago National League Ball Club. If I were the team, I wouldn't want anybody to see what happened either. The 32 - 25 Cubs website states that they are "In a race for the NL Central Division crown." It looks to me like it is more of a slow-walk, as they lost to the 18 - 39 Pirates yesterday afternoon, 0 - 7. 

If I sound curmudgeonly, remember that I am a long-standing member of the Die Hard Cubs' Fan club, who has watched too many seasons be frittered away by under-achieving players with bloated egos and equally bloated salaries. Therefore, I am not going to waste my energy on a team that cannot produce at least one run against an inferior team like the Pirates.

The "highlights" of the game were a pick-off at 2nd by the combo of catcher Victor Caratini and SS Javier Baez, an Anthony Rizzo double against the centerfield wall to spoil a no-hitter, and a throw from left field to "save" a run by Kyle Schwarber. Said Cubs IF Jason Kipnis, the hitters have room for improvement." Ya think?

At any rate, the Cubs play again tonight in the first of a three-game season-ending series against that other 34 - 23 team from Chicago, when RHP Yu Darvish, 7 - 3, makes his next start @ 8:10 p.m. EDT.

My beloved 22 - 35 Red Sox lost badly to the 24 - 33 Orioles yesterday, 1 - 13 as LHP Martin Perez was charged with the loss, his 5th against 3 wins. Will a pitcher forced to be a number two starter, when he should be a number five starter, be worth a club option $6.25 million next year? What are the other options? Tommy John recipient, LHP Chris Sale may be back by mid year. Eduardo Rodriguez may or may not be back from myocarditis. The Sox really are really between that proverbial rock and a hard place pitching-wise. Rookie 24 YO RHP Tanner Houck, 2 - 0, may be one part of a huge puzzle. But...

The Sox close out this dismal and short season with a game beginning tonight @ 7:10 p.m. in Atlanta against the Braves, as journeyman 30 YO RHP Chris Mazza, 1 - 2, tries to even up his record. That's what I mean about the Sox pitching future, they have no-one in the pipeline. Could 37 YO LHP Jon Lester return to the Sox in 2021 if he doesn't resign with the Cubs?

The 22 - 33 Tigers will be watching the post-season from their couches again this year. The Tigers fell to the 24 - 33 Royals yesterday, 7 - 8, in spite of the resurgence of Miguel "Miggy" Cabrera, who has hit tape-measure home runs in back to back games against the Royals. Cabrera has options for three more seasons with a total payout of $292 million. Is a DH worth the kind of money that a player who will turn 40 by the end of the contract will be owed? Miggy will be a Hall of Famer as soon as he is eligible, but...

Tonight's game against the Royals starts @ 8:05 p.m. when RHP Spencer Turnbull, 4 - 3 tosses his forst pitch.

Today, we have no specific plans and that's fine with me. More music, more puzzle solving, more of whatever feels right in retirement. Same for Mary, more or less. Ciao. 

Good morning or good evening, wherever you may be, across the nation and across the world. It is just past 4:30 a.m. in "The City."

The current temperature is a very comfortable 62º that feels like 62º with only a 3 mph wind blowing from the west. Over the channel, there is fog, but here at the manse, located on the grounds of the Palatial Estate, there is no fog in evidence. Today's high temperature forecast calls for 71º, while the overnight low is expected to be 60º. 

I finally followed through on my do as little as possible plan yesterday. With some assistance, I finished a crossword puzzle and that was the extent of my exertions for the day. What a relief. I even found time for an afternoon nap before a great dinner of homemade pizza topped with a home grown green pepper, fresh-sliced mushrooms, chopped onions, Mary's secret recipe sauce, and a topping of a meat-substitute that Mary had made earlier in the day. In hindsight, I agree with her that her other recipe for that part of the topping is better. 

Pre baking

Post baking

I also accompanied Mary on her stop at the big-box nearly everything store before we returned and took the fur-children for a walkabout to the cemetery. 

Not our actual parking space, but a reasonable facsimile. 

As I mentioned, we went walkabout and I took along my camera to capture whatever caught my eye.

Shadows and substance.

The sun through the trees.

A patch of unspoiled flora.

I have to report that the 32 - 24 Cubs are trying to be ready for the post-season, but in spite of the strong efforts by the Cub's starting rotation, they are still not ready for prime-time. The Cub's hitters aren't hitting. It may be due to a lack of spring training, or it may be due to the shortened 60-game regular-season, but whatever the cause, they are not producing hits and therefore no men are on base to get RBIs. The Cubs' lone run last night came off the bat of Anthony Rizzo in the bottom of the first inning. 

Starting and losing RHP Kyle Hendricks, 6 - 5 did his usual great job, but one run won't get it done.

The Cubs close out their series in Pittsburgh @ 1:30 p.m. today when RHP Alec Mills, 5 - 4 takes the ball. 

My beloved, 22 - 34 Red Sox dispatched the 23 - 33 Orioles last night, 9 - 1. The Sox are out of the post-season, but next year should be a lot better. One possible position switch has current error prone 3rd baseman, Rafael Devers and his offense switching places with rookie 1st baseman Bobby Dalbec next year. Dalbec has above average skills at third and his offense is solid, so maybe. Plus, next year, Chris Sale should be coming back from Tommy John surgery. 

Maybe starting LHP Eduardo Rodriguez can make a comeback from his own medical concerns. We shall see.

The 23 - 22 Tigers dropped another heartbreaker to the 35 - 22 Twins last night, 6 - 7. Hard-luck rookie RHP Casey Mize, 0 - 3, took the loss, but he looked good. With the emergence of fellow rookie, LHP Tarik Skubal and the resurgence of tonight's 8:05 p.m. starter Michael Fulmer, 0 - 2, who should be fully recovered from his own Tommy John surgery, the Tigers on paper look to be much improved next year. 

Today, a bit of time spent playing music, a bit more spent reading, and maybe I'll get to that man-cave visit, it should be a good day. I've already changed the bulbs in the upstairs bathroom fixtures, so that is one task already off my to-do list. 

Mary has more reading to do and whatever else comes to mind .The fur-children will want to go walkabout again too, so we'll see about that. Ciao.

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

In spite of my original intentions yesterday, I spent some time in the kitchen doing what I like, cooking. I've always enjoyed that activity, and now that I have plenty of time, even more so. While I only have a few things that I like to call my "specialties", I find the activity soothing and perhaps cathartic in a way. Naturally, STWD was upstairs asleep, so I had to rely on my official Sous Terrier, Ginger, for her assistance in clean up. Her invaluable assistance was appreciated.

I made vegan Italian burgers, vegan Bratwursts, and with some assistance, Cole slaw. In addition, I did the majority of the indoor chores too. I was a busy beaver.

Today, I hope to slow the pace a bit. There are things I'd like to get to, but they can wait. Between the Covid-19 isolation and retirement, I have plenty of time. 

Mary did the real heavy lifting at her desk upstairs, navigating through the myriad possibilities for a visit to the big-box nearly everything store this afternoon and also perusing our banking website to make sure that we are paying everything as we should, but not being overcharged. 

I find that I can live without the constant barrage of sensory input caused by the TV news media. Of course, that applies to our inability to watch network TV too, due to the over abundance of political ads that contradict each other one right after another. We are stuck in limbo here in MI due to our being a state that can decide the election in a few weeks. 

I didn't listen to the 32 - 23 Cubs lose to the 16 - 39 Pirates last night, but the Cubs backed into the post-season, as the Nationals defeated the Phillies. Even though the Cardinals defeated the hapless Royals last night, they remain in 2nd place in their division, 3.5 games behind the Cubs. 

The Cubs send RHP Kyle Hendricks, 6 - 4, to the mound tonight @ 7:05 p.m. EDT.

My beloved 21 - 34 Red Sox snuffed the 23 - 32 Orioles last night, as newly acquired RHP Nick Pivetta, 1 - 0 made his first start for the Sox. He fanned eight en route to the win. He may be a big part of next year's team if he can continue his winning ways. The Sox and the Orioles play out the string tonight @ 7:30 p.m. when the Sox send RHP Nathan Eovaldi to the mound. 

The 22 -31 Tigers took extra innings last night, but they lost to the 34 - 22 Twins, 4 - 5. However, interim manager Lloyd McLendon, hopes to remove the interim tag as he auditions for the role of the regular Tigers' manager, as he sends rookie RHP Casey Mize, 0 - 2 to the mound in search of his first big-league win tonight @ 7:40 p.m. EDT.

We had a totally pleasant day weather-wise yesterday. Scattered clouds dotted the azure-blue sky and the temperature was as fall-like as you could hope. We never got out with the fur-children, but maybe today.

The high temperature today is forecast by the NWS to be 72º with an overnight low of 61º. Right now the temperature is 58º and with the 2 mph wind, it feels like 58° with a bit of fog over the channel and the lakeshore.

Today, I hope to read more, play some music, do more puzzle solving, perform no kitchen activities and do no indoor chores. If I don't get out, I am okay with that. I do have to walk the trash and recycling bins to the curb later today, but that is the extent of my required activities.

Mary currently has plans to do that run to the store, but if she doesn't, that will be fine. She is enjoying reading time and she has just received a new adult coloring book on which to work. Of course, she can't get to that for a couple of days, due to concerns over the Covid-19 virus. 

The sun will rise today @ 7:34 a.m. and set later @ 7:39 p.m. Ciao.  

Good morning or good evening, wherever you may be, across the nation and across the world. It is just past 7:45 a.m. in "The City."

It is amazing how late you can sleep in when you have no need to get up. 

We have a current temperature of 54º that feels like 54º under partly-cloudy skies and a wind speed of 4 mph. Today's high is forecast to reach 70º, or not, with partly-cloudy skies and 69% RHI. Tonight's low will fall to a very comfortable 60º. This being the first official day of fall, the weather has cooperated by turning very fall-like.

The sun has already risen today @ 7:33 a.m. and it will set later @ 7:41 p.m.

I made it to my doctor's appointment yesterday with Mary driving and the fur-children at home. This visit was much shorter than the last time and as expected, everything went well. 

Since we had left our fur-children at home, I brought my camera and we set out to do a limited amount of local exploration. Since public accommodations are not on our agenda, our trips are limited by the distance between the manse and our furthest point, and back.

We visited Spring Lake and GH for some photo-ops that gave me a chance to record some great pix for posterity.

If you are entering Spring Lake, this is the only way from the south.

And over the entire area.

Beaches on Spring Lake, the lake, are nearly gone.

As the immortal Yogi Berra once purportedly said, "When you come to a fork in the road, take it!" We took the left fork and headed south towards home. 

Yesterday, GH held more of that, "What's old is what's new" for us. 

Sometimes, you must stop, look, and listen to get a great pic.

The Grand Trunk and Western Coal Tipple has been unused for almost seven decades. Yet, the remnants of coal-fired steam locomotives remain under its tower.

How the old Grand Trunk and Western Pere Marquette and the tipple look today. 

From the channel side.

An unoccupied playground framed by the coal-tender of locomotive #1223, the Pere Marquette, and a box car.

If their human is going, the dogs are going.

The Sims #2 stack will stand until the spring of 2021

Some charter fishing boats are still waiting, but some people just fish from the pier. 

Yesterday's bloom is today's fading last flower. 

Just a short, sports, report. Yes, I know, but I couldn't resist the chance for some bad rhyme.

The 32 - 22 Cubs defeated the 15 - 39 Pirates last night,  5 - 0, with LHP Jon Lester, 3 - 2 getting the win with some run support from his teammates. Javier Baez bunted home an RBI in the early part of the game to get the offense going. Victor Caratini, Kyle Schwarber, and David Bote all got hits too. Cub's manager David Ross, says that LHP Jose Quintana, fresh off the IR, will get the start @ 7:05 p.m. tonight. 

Ross is concerned about the oblique injury suffered by 3rd baseman Kris Bryant in the 2nd inning. Bryan's playing status is day to day now. Until he is able to play regularly, it is likely that David Bote will man third-base.

My beloved Red Sox play tonight in Fenway @ 7:30 p.m. EDT.

The Tigers also return to action tonight in Minneapolis @ 7:40 p.m. EDT.

Today, some indoor chores, perhaps a visit to the man-cave, more reading, more TV, etc. Mary will not be visiting the man-cave, but she will be reading and crafting and helping with those indoor chores. We may have to take advantage of this great first day of fall and go walkabout with the fur-children. Ciao.