Good morning or good evening, wherever you may be, across the nation and across the world. It is just past 10:00 p.m. in "The City", where the current temperature is a brisk 52° under clear skies with a Real Feel temperature of 50° due to the wind out of the north @ seven mph.

That seven mph wind is part of the Beach Hazard Statement in effect until 2:00 a.m. tomorrow morning for Allegan, Mason, Muskegon, Oceana, Ottawa, and Van Buren counties in MI. Swimming will be dangerous due to high waves and strong currents. 

In addition, there is also the continuation of that Small Craft Advisory from St. Joseph to Manistee with 15 - 25 knot winds and waves up to seven feet that will be subsiding as we near that same 2:00 a.m. time.

The low temperature tonight and into tomorrow morning will drop to 41° before we rebound to tomorrow's high temperature of 64° under partly cloudy skies once the sun has risen @ 7:32 a.m., yet well before the overnight low that will follow the setting sun @ 7:42 p.m.

This weekend is the annual Grand Haven Hispanic Heritage Festival in Central Park. Hopefully, the forecast for rainy conditions from the NWS is inaccurate and the festival will go on as planned.

In other news, the Tigers are off until tomorrow when they visit that other team from Chicago for a game @ 8:10 p.m.

The Red Sox are currently leading the Yankees 4 - 3, in NYC at the end of the seventh inning, and they will return there tomorrow night for a game @ 7:05 p.m.

The Cubs are also in action tonight with their opponents, the Pirates, having just defeated those Pirates by one run, 3 - 2. The Cubs continue their visit to Pittsburgh tomorrow night for a game beginning @ 6:35 p.m.

Lest we forget, the 3 - 0 Wolverines of Michigan are home Saturday to face the Terrapins of Maryland in a game starting @ 12:00 p.m.

The 2 - 1 Spartans of MSU are also home to face the Golden Gophers of Minnesota beginning @ 3:30 p.m.

Finally, the Huskies of NIU are in Kentucky to play the Wildcats starting @ 7:00 p.m.

Now that we have officially entered Mary's favorite season, fall, we have started to venture out more frequently for some picture-taking. Today, I started on our deck, and then we traveled to Pigeon Creek Park for some additional pix.

A late or early season visitor to our marigolds.

Found something of interest. 

Pigeon Creek Park has a lot to offer to visitors.

Photogenic trees bathed in sunlight.

Late-season wildflowers in bloom. 

Many pine cones.

Meadows.

Dog-friendly trails.

And trails for hiking, biking, horseback riding, and cross-country skiing in winter.

Tomorrow looks like a day for indoor chores, reading, painting, crossword solving, music, and more er-reading to go with cross-stitching. Ciao. 

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

Our current temperature is a very seasonal 70° under partly-cloudy skies. We still have those alerts I reported yesterday. While we were out earlier today, the presence of kite surfers enjoying this beautiful late summer day with those high waves gave testimony to the beauty of West, Michigan, and the "Big Lake" herself. 

Tonight, after the sunset @ 7:44 p.m., the overnight low will be a brisk 54°, before we climb to tomorrow's high temperature of 60° and then plunge to an overnight low temperature of 41° tomorrow night!

Most of today was spent reading the newspapers, ear-reading, and going out to drop off some things at Harbor Humane Society that Sugar no longer needs. Harbor Humane is a shelter that takes in the stray animals of Ottawas, County and they are a blessing to our entire area. We followed up that drop-off with a visit to Hemlock Crossing County Park, part of the Ottawa, County Park System. 

Hemlock is near Grand Haven and a great place to shoot pictures. So, it was nice to get out, put our sadness aside for a short while, and take some pictures. Here are some in no particular order.

Hemlock Crossing is a gem in the Ottawa County Parks System.

Hikers enjoy the many trails.

And kayakers enjoy the waterways too.

But the beauty of the great outdoors is a reward in and of itself. 

I captured that aforementioned kayaker just stopping to observe nature. 

This observatory was built on the grounds of Hemlock Cross with the assistance of the Shoreline Amateur Astronomical Association.

Otherwise, not much was happening here at the manse. So, I'll just say it. Ciao. 

Good morning or good evening, wherever you may be, across the nation and across the world. It is just past 4:45 a.m. in "The City."

We have a current, low, and "Real Feel" Temperature of 68° under clear skies. But don't let that fool you, as we also have two alerts in the forecast from the NWS that will last until 2:00 a.m. Friday morning. 

First, is a Beach Hazard Statement for Allegan, Mason, Oceana, Ottawas, and Van Buren counties in MI, due to strong currents and high waves that should keep swimmers out of the water and people in general off of the piers.

The second is a Small Craft Advisory, that has been issued due to those strong currents pushed by southwest winds of 15 - 25 knots, that will propel waves up to four feet in height. Those winds will change to northwest winds from 15 - 30 knots that may propel waves up to eight feet in height!. Small craft are strongly advised to seek shelter from the storm, so to speak. The surf will be up! 

Today's high temperature will be 75° under sunny skies, which will be four degrees cooler than yesterday, with an overnight low of a very chilly 53°. Thursday the high temperature will struggle to reach the forecast high of 59°. 

The sun will rise this morning @ 7:31 a.m. and set tonight @ 7:44 p.m.

In case you are wondering, every day, everyone here at the manse has gained the sense that our beloved Sugar has passed. Is it getting easier? Somewhat. But each time I move from room to room, I look for STWD and she isn't there. We are all going through the motions of daily living, but our level of ambition is very low. Even Sugar's sister, Ginger, is showing signs of melancholy. She wants things to return to what they were and she can't understand why things will never be the same. 

That being said, I am going to include some pictures of our fur children in the "Before Times", as a way of easing our sorrow.

Our fur children at rest.

Perhaps my favorite recent pic is three to a chair. 

Sugar in her glory.

At rest.

Queen of all she surveys. 

I knew there would be a reaction to Sugar's passing, but none of us is finding her passing easy. Sigh.

Elsewhere at the manse, Mary is still trying to find the right place for her new air-fryer oven. I know that she will, but like many things we have added over the years, it will take time. 

Sports news seems like it doesn't need any real reportage nor has any real import. Let's just say that the Cubs, the Red Sox, and the Tigers all won their respective games yesterday, but they are still going nowhere in the postseason. Let me also say that all of those teams are fielding a mix of promising rookies, stalwart veterans, and lifelong minor leaguers in an effort to see what the future has in store for those teams. 

The Tigers have named a new president, former Cubs, and Giants executive, Scott Harris. Will he be able to lead the Tigers to renewed glory? Who knows, but anything is worth a try. 

I finished my knee injections yesterday and went to the dentist immediately after. All good. 

Today is another day of muddling through for everyone here at the manse. 

That's enough for today. Ciao. 

Good afternoon from "The City." This will not be a regular blog, because earlier this afternoon, Sugar, AKA, The Cutest Dog on the Planet. AKA STWD, passed over the Rainow Bridge. 

She went peacefully with me petting her  as she passed. 

Mary took this photo shortly before Sugar passed away peacefully.

If you've noticed, my avatar for this blog is a picture of Sugar. Yes my loyal readers, she and I were that close. 

I've been keeping a diary on my desk that chronicles the many things about Sugar that I know as well as my thoughts about her inevitable passing. Maybe someday, I'll share those thoughts with Mary. 

Knowing the right thing to do for someone you love is not the same as doing what is right. We adopted Sugar nearly 15 years ago. Mary was working at home, and she felt the need to have a presence in the house while I was gone at school. Unbeknownst to each other, Mary and I had been separately perusing canine adoption sites after Sugar's predecessor, Stay-C, went to her final rest. 

Previously, we had visited New Orleans on vacation and when we saw all of the shop dogs there, we knew that we couldn't be without a fur-child in our lives. So, we made a plan to visit some shelters and took into account the opening times on Sunday's. The following Sunday, we went to the farthest shelter, Animal House, in Huntley, IL.

There, we perused the books of adoptable dogs and we chose Sugar as the first dog we wanted to meet.

Mary left the day room and I was there to greet Sugar when she came into the large room. For me, it was love at first sight. She was beautiful. To this day, people who met her have always remarked on her cuteness.

When I had my brain surgery many years ago, I was in rehab for many weeks. Mary brought Sugar to see me there and Sugar jumped into my lap and didn't want to leave me. Over the years, Sugar and I spent many hours in the Lazy Boy napping together. 

But, what can you say when someone you love has preceded you over the Rainbow Bridge?

Really, not much. If you are a dog person, and if you find that one special dog, and if you are lucky enough to have she or he in your life, cherish your time together. The same goes for that special person in your life. You never know when you won't have them any longer.

This may not be much of a eulogy, but for now, it is the best that I can do. Ciao. 

Good morning or good evening, wherever you may be. across the nation and across the world. It is just past 6:45 a.m. in "The City", where the current temperature under cloudy skies is 68° and it feels like 68° with a wind out of the east @ 10 mph.

Not surprisingly, it is muggy out there, with the RHI @ 92%. With that 68°,we have dropped to our overnight low before the sunrise @ 7:28 a.m. and well before the sunset @ 7:49 p.m. The high-temperature today will be about four degrees cooler than yesterday @ 74°, with an overnight low of 65°.

While there is a Small Craft Advisory north of GH until 8:00 p.m., the only alert we have on tap here in GH is a Beach Hazard Statement with strong currents and waves as high as five feet making swimming dangerous and walking on the piers hazardous as the waves break over the piers.

Yesterday was rather pedestrian, as we walked the fur children separately. Ginger is improving, while STWD is getting older. Sigh. 

I did my usual Saturday activities and watched the 3 - 0 Wolverines of Michigan crush the 2 - 1 Huskies of UConn, 59 - 0. The Huskies' head coach, Jim Mora, believes that the Wolverines are a real threat and will be going to the national championship. After watching the game, I have to agree. The Wolverines play the Terrapins of Maryland next Saturday @ 12:00 p.m.

Sadly, the 2 - 1 Spartans of Michigan State looked very pedestrian too, as they fell to the Huskies of the University of Washington last night, 28 - 39. The score is not really indicative of the actual game which was dominated by the Huskies. The Spartans are home next Saturday to play the Golden Gophers of MN @ 3:30 p.m.

As long as I'm on a Huskies theme, the 1 - 2 Huskies of NIU looked very average as they lost to the 3 - 1 Commodores of Vanderbilt yesterday, 28 - 38. Next week, the Huskies take on the 3 - 0 Wildcats of KY @ 7:00 p.m. Saturday night.

The 0 - 1 Lions are home today to face the 1 - 0 Washington Commanders @ 1:00 p.m.

The 1 - 0 Bears are in Green Bay tonight @ 8:20 p.m. to face the 0 - 1 Packers. 

In baseball news, the Cubs, the Red Sox, and the Tigers all lost yesterday. 

Today, the Cubs are home to face the Rockies once again @ 2:20 p.m. with rookie Javier Assad on the mound for the Cubs.

My beloved Red Sox were thoroughly outplayed yesterday, losing to the Royals, 0 - 9, as the Sox had no offense. Today, the Sox and the Royals take the field @ 1:35 p.m. with RHP Nick Pivetta on the bump for the Sox.

The Tigers still don't look good, as they dropped one to that other team from Chicago yesterday, 3 - 4. Today's game between those same teams begins @ 12:10 p.m. with RHP Drew Hutchison pitching for the Tigers. 

We continue to ear-read from the Maggie Hope series and I finished a print-read late yesterday afternoon. Mary got a new air-fryer to add to her rapidly modernizing kitchen appliance stock. So far, she likes the results of her newest addition. 

We have nothing on the schedule for today other than more ear-reading and perhaps some pro football. I also have a ukulele session tonight @ 9:00 p.m. Ciao. 

Good morning or good evening, wherever you may be, across the nation and across the world. It is just past 3:15 a.m. in "The City", where the current temperature under clear skies is a very pleasant 59° although it feels more like 57° with a wind out of the east at seven mph. Our overnight low temperature is forecast by the NWS to be 56°.

Today's high temperature after the sunrise @ 7:25 a.m. will be an equally pleasant 76° under partly cloudy skies before the sunset @ 7:55 p.m. and we drop towards the overnight low temperature of 67°.

Yesterday was rather presestrian around the manse. I slept in, Mary went to the Farmer's Market, sans Ginger, and most of the day was spent just being retired.

Today, Mary will be making a run to that small box grocery store, but whether she will be taking her wing gal, Ginger, is unknown as of this writing. By the by, Ginger seems to be improving. Rest is the prescription for her for a few days. 

The 61 - 82 Cubs swept the 89 - 55 Mets last night, with a 6 - 3 win. The Mets are like many teams, they are sliding a bit in the late season. The Cubs are the first team to sweep the Mets this year. Too little, too late. Sigh.  The Cubs are off until Friday, when the Rockies come to town for a 2:20 game.

My beloved 69 - 74 Red Sox fell to those damn 87 - 56 Yankees last night, 3 - 5. The Sox too are off today before a home game versus the Royals @ 7:10 p.m. on Friday.

The 54 - 89 Tigers lost yet again, this time to the 93 - 50 Astros, 1 - 2. Thankfully, the Tigers are also resting today before meeting that other team from Chicago @ 7:10 p.m. Friday night.

I plan to be in the kitchen today baking another blueberry pie and then hopefully in my studio, finishing a painting and playing some music. I finished a book yesterday and have started a new one recommended by Mary. We shall see, as it is a departure from my regular genre. So, that's all folks. Ciao.

Good morning or good evening, wherever you may be, across the nation and across the world. It is just past 4:45 a.m. in "The City", wherever the current, low, and Real Feel temperatures are identical @ 59° under clear skies, with a wind out of the east @ two mph. Per the NWS, our current RHI is a steamy 92%. They are also reporting that the barometric pressure is 29.99 " of Hg and rising, while my own DTWS is showing 29.42" of Hg and falling, with no alerts in the forecast. The sunrise today will occur @ 7:23 a.m. and sunset will happen @ 7:56 p.m.

The news on the Ginger front is good. She saw her veterinarian yesterday afternoon, had an examination, an x-ray, and some blood tests. Per the doctor, Ginger has no serious injuries to her gimpy leg. What she appears to have is too much hyper. In other words, she has to remain mostly idle for two weeks, take some canine NSAIDS and glucosaimine, and not jump around like the terrier that she is. She could learn from one of our old fur-children, Stay-C, and mostly do nothing but nothing. Ginger won't like that very much.

Elswehere in the news, I had my fourth of five knee injections yesterday. One more to go. Then, I can look forward to a week of nothing until my next orthopaedic appointment for my yak. As I've noted before, aging is not for sissies. 

One other thing. I found that one of the towel hooks in the downstairs bathroom had come loose last night. So, I put on my handyman's hat and repaired that problem with a little help from my jeweler's screwdrivers. I am so mechanical sometimes. LOL.

In baseball news, the 60 - 82 Cubs are going nowhere this fall, except to their respective couches. But, the good news is that they have now taken two in a row from the 89 - 54 Mets, with last night's victory a 4 - 1 win over the Mets ace, Jacob DeGrom, thrown by the Cubs own Adrian Sampson. Tonight's game features the stylings of LHP Drew Smly, 6 - 8, for the Cubs beginning @ 7:10 p.m.

My beloved 69 - 73 Red Sox are also going home to their sofas this fall. But, the Sox did see a flash of the future, as rookie Tristan Casas launched a monstrous home-run to the opposite field over the fabled "Green Monster" that left Fenway Park @ over 108 mph! Sadly, the beloved fell to the Yankees in extra innings, 6 - 7. Tonight's game will see another effort by rookie RHP Brayan Bello, 1 - 5, beginning @ 7:10 p.m.

The awful 54 - 88 Tigers looked, well, awful, as they dropped yet another game to the 92 - 50 Astros, 3 - 6. The Tigers had a glimpse of the future too, as rookie CF Riley Greene, flashed some serious leather in center field, snagging a long fly ball off the bat of All-Star Alex Bergman, and nearly doubling Yordan Alvarez off at firstbase with a strong throw from deep on the warning track in Comerica Park. This rookie "Got Game!"

The Tigers and the Astros play this afternoon @ 1:10 p.m., with rookie LHP Joey Wentz, 1 - 1, taking the hill for the Tigers beginning @ 1:10 p.m.

Today promises to be relatively quiet here on the Palatial Estate, as Ginger rests, we update our Smart Phone, and I get back to doing some painting that I've been neglecting for a while. With gardening season winding down here, I will have more time for other pursuits that do not include watering every other day. If you think retirement is easy, you haven't tried it yet. As I said, aging isn't for sissies. Ciao.