Good morning or good evening, wherever you may be, across the nation and across the world. It is just past 5:45 a.m. in "The City."

The current temperature is a very comfortable 65° under mostly-cloudy skies that feels like 65° with only a breeze out of the west @ two mph. 

Today's high temperature is forecast by the NWS to reach a comfortable 67° albeit, with the 80% RHI also in that forecast, it will not be all that comfortable. There is a 50% chance for scattered showers/T-storms this afternoon. If all goes well, I won't have to water the vast gardens. 

The sun will rise this morning @ 6:57 a.m. and set tonight @ 8:37 p.m.

Speaking of the vast gardens, the tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers continue to be prolific producers.

I put what I think are the finishing touches on one of my paintings yesterday. I've been painting this one off and on for many weeks. I think I am finally satisfied. 

I started a new book yesterday along with ear-reading with Mary on book #4 of 10 in the Maggie Hope series. 

I got in quite a bit of guitar practice yesterday, reading, and crossword solving. 

Mary is working on a cross-stitch project, but she is frustrated that the project she wants to work on has been stymied by a lack of materials and some incomplete and/or incorrect order fulfillment too. 

The baseball news yesterday was all good, as none of my teams lost. 

The Cubs, the Red Sox, and the Tigers all won their respective game, with the Cubs needing 11 innings to win their contest versus the Brewers. The Caps game was suspended due to rain and with the Caps, down 2 - 5, they will resume that game @ 1:00 p.m. today before starting game two sometime later.

Today's Cubs' game will be the 52 - 67 Cubs versus the 63 - 56 Brewers @ 2:20 p.m. with LHP Justin Steele on the mound for the northsiders. 

The 60 - 61 Red Sox are spinning their wheels as they face the 62 - 58 Orioles tonight @ 7:10 p.m. with RHP Nick Pivetta getting the nod from Sox manager Alex Cora. 

The 46 - 76 Tigers will try to upend the 52 - 68 Angels and their star pitcher, Shohei Ohtani, in a game that begins @ 1:40 p.m., with LHP Eduardo Rodriguez, 1 - 3 returning from the IL for the Tigers.

Otherwise, not much is planned for today. For me, some indoor chores, print-reading, joint ear-reading, a short walk with STWD, and ukulele. 

For Mary, more cross-stitching, bread baking, joint ear-reading, and a walk with her wing gal, Ginger.

Ciao. 

Good morning or good evening, wherever you may be, across the nation and across the world. It is just past 11:00 p.m. in "The City", where the current temperature is 68° and it feels like 68° with a slight wind out of the northwest @ five mph, all under fair skies. Our overnight low is forecast to drop to a very comfortable 66°. 

Tomorrow, the high temperature will reach 79° under partly-cloudy skies, with an overnight low of 66°. The RHI is expected to be 79%. also under partly-cloudy skies after the sunrise @ 6:52 a.m., yet well before the sunset @ 8:43 p.m.

Yesterday evening, we took a short stroll through Central Park in search of a concert that wasn't there. So, we continued out of the park down Washington Ave. to the grounds of the St. John's Episcopal Church, where I took a few photos of the grounds and gardens. 

No concert, just the fountain.

I like how a bike can signify the past and also be a prologue at the same time. 

As I said, no concert, just a hungry squirrel munching on some acorns.

St. Francis was keeping watching over the gardens.

Near this outdoor altar.

Situated next to the Good News Garden.

That supplies produce for both the free meals and the local community. 

An anachronism?

Flowers provided color for the garden.

Of course, once we returned to the manse and our own vast gardens, I took a few more pictures.

Our planted tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, and some "volunteer" tomatoes from last year's garden.

Squirrels are ubiquitous here in GH.

Harry the hare and some of the annuals we planted for color. 

I'm getting long here, so I'll just state that the 49 - 67 Cubs defeated the 39 - 80 Nats earlier today, 3 - 2. The Cubs travel to Baltimore for a 3:05 p.m. start tomorrow versus the 61 - 56 Orioles with RHP Adrian Sampson on the mound for the Cubs. 

My beloved 59 - 59 Red Sox handily defeated the Pirates tonight, 8 - 3. The Sox and the Pirates play again tomorrow night @ 7:05 p.m. with RHP Josh Winchowski on the bump.

The 45 - 75 Tigers looked good while LHP Dan Norris was on the mound, but once he was relieved, the Tigers fell to the 63 - 55 Guardians, 4 - 8. The Tigers are off until Friday when they return home for a game against the Angels @ 7:10 p.m. with RHP Matt Manning hurling for the Tigers. 

Finally, the 59 - 51 White Caps, roughed up the 61 - 47 Lake County, OH Captains, tonight, 10 - 2, to regain a share of first place in the Midwest League East. The Caps tee it up against those same Captains tomorrow night @ 6:35 p.m.

Today was a day of more pool P/T for me, more ear-reading for both of us, more crossword solving, and regular reading for me, and frustration for Mary as her latest project will have to await a replacement for a defective cross-stitch canvas and a damaged roller for that same project. 

Tomorrow, I have a short podiatrist appointment, we have more ear-reading to do, and I would like to get to more music and art along with a walk with "The Cutest Dog on the Planet" STWD. 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", where the current temperature under clear skies is a very comfortable 62°, which should be our overnight low temperature and which is also the "Real Feel" temperature with only a slight wind out of the east @ six mph.

Today's high will be about seven degrees warmer than yesterday @ 83°, with an overnight low temperature of 60°. The skies will be sunny this morning turning to partly sunny this afternoon. We are loving the lows, but we sure don't miss the highs. LOL.

The sun will rise this morning @ 6:51 a.m. and set later @ 8:45 p.m.'

Yesterday saw a return to normal here at the manse, as we can now use our freshly refurbished deck and the fur children can now exit and enter through the back door.

Our vast gardens are proving to be very prolific, as the tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers are coming in hot and heavy. All of the rain we had this past weekend has been good for all that grows out there.

Otherwise, we did more ear-reading and print reading, I worked on the crossword puzzle from the Thursday edition of USA Today, and Mary continued to work on her needlepoint. I had planned to get to other things, but like that old saying, "The best-laid plans of mice and men, gang aft gang agley." So be it, as there is always another day.'

We did finish the indoor chores, so that gives us another day to accomplish what we should have done yesterday, such as a trip to that big-box everything store for Mary and her wing gal, Ginger.

Baseball news yesterday was not good if you are a 47 - 67 Cubs fan, as they fell to the 38 - 78 Nationals last night, 4 - 5, in spite of two home runs off the bat of Ian Happ. The Cubs take the field in D.C. again tonight @ 7:05 p.m. with LHP Justin Steele, 4 - 7, on the mound for the northsiders.

My beloved 57 - 59 Red Sox had the day off yesterday, following their series win over those damn Yankees, with a 3 - 0 win on Sunday. Sadly, the Yankees are probably going to the World Series™, while the Red Sox will be going home at the end of the regular season. 

The Sox are in Pittsburgh tonight to play the 45 - 76 Pirates @ 7:05 p.m. with RHP Nick Piveta, 8 - 9, on the mound for the Sox.

The 44 - 74 Tigers split a doubleheader with the 62 - 54 Guardians yesterday afternoon and evening, losing the first game, 1 - 4, but winning the second game, 7 - 5, largely on the strength of rookie OF Kerry Carpenter's 3 - 4 night that included a double and a home run, his first in the major leagues. 

The Tigers are still in Cleveland tonight for a 7:10 game against those same Guardians, with RHP Garrett Hill, 2 - 3, on the bump for the Tigers. 

The 57 - 51 Caps fell from first place in the MWL East last weekend with those losses to the Snappers. The Caps return home for a game tonight against the 61 - 45 Lake County, OH Captains, @ 6:35 p.m.

That looks like enough for one day's blog. 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", where the current temperature under cloudy skies is a brisk 60°, although it feels more like 58° with the wind blowing directly out of the east @ nine mph. 

It looks as though we have reached our overnight low temperature with that 60° mark and there are no statements, alerts, watches, advisories, or warnings in the forecast from the NWS.

Today's high will be several degrees warmer than yesterday @ 74°, before we drop to the overnight low of 62°. There is a 33% chance for scattered showers this morning. But, after the downpours of yesterday, that is a welcome relief. However, that rain will mean an RHI of over 79% today.

The sun will rise into partly-cloudy skies this morning @ 6:49 a.m. and then the sun will set later @ 8:48 p.m.

Not much happened around the manse yesterday. We finished our collective reading of Gunfight by former gun industry executive, Ryan Busse. We learned many things, many of which we found very disturbing. Alas, there seems to be no relief from the gun-mania that has gripped this country. 

We continued our ear-reading of the Maggie Hope series by Susan Elia MacNeal. This has been an enjoyable activity with our meals and afternoon tea time in lieu of the TV news. 

Last night, Mary made one of my all-time favorite meals, Spaghettirole Casserole. What's not to like? I washed out her "Magic Mushroom" earlier this morning and it is now resting in the dish drainer awaiting Mary's more delicate hands to return it to its regular home.

The baseball news yesterday mainly was bad, with the exception of the 47 - 65 Cubs win over the 44 - 68 Reds, 7 - 2. The newest Cub, Franmil Reyes, acquired from the Guardians after they DFAed him, got his first home run as a Cub. Today's game features the stylings of RHP Keegan Thompson, 9 - 5, in a game beginning @ 1:40 p.m. in Cincinnati.

My beloved, 56 - 59 Red Sox fell to those damn 72 - 42 Yankees last night, 2 - 3. Tonight's game with RHP Michael Wacha, 6 - 1, begins @ 7:08 p.m. in Fenway Park.

The woeful, 43 - 72 Tigers, fell to that other 58 - 56 team from Chicago, 4 - 6. The Tigers got bad news yesterday, as LHP Tarik Skubal is scheduled to see an elbow specialist this week for the soreness in his pitching arm. We all know what that soreness and a visit to an elbow specialist often mean, Tommy John surgery. Sigh. The Tigers will take the field again today @ 2:10 p.m. with LHP Tyler Alexander, 2 - 6, on the mound for the Tigers @ Guaranteed Rate Field in Chicago. 

Finally, the 57 - 50 Caps fell to the 54 - 52 Beloit Snappers, 2 - 8. Today's game in Beloit begins @ 2:05 p.m.

Otherwise, not much is new around here. No watering is needed for a few days, and no required activities either, unless you count my Sunday night ukulele session. Mary will continue to work on her needlepoint project, we'll collectively continue our ear-reading, and that's about it. 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."

Today's high temperature will be 78° with an overnight low temperature of 53°.

The sun will rise @ 6:46 a.m. and set @ 8:52 p.m.

Let's kick the tires on this blog and keep it short and sweet.

Two alerts, a Beach Hazard Statement and a Small Craft Advisory will go into effect @ 11:00 a.m. this morning, with the former lasting until late this evening. At the same time, the latter will remain in effect until 6:00 .m. tomorrow. In both cases, strong currents propelled by 25K winds will create hazardous swimming conditions and danger for small boats. 

The baseball world saw the Cubs and the Caps win, while also seeing the Tigers and the Red Sox lose.

The Cubs are in Dyersville, IA tonight for the Field of Dreams game versus the Reds @ 7:15 p.m.

The Tigers are @ home for another game versus the Guardians, minus former VP and GM, Al Avila, who was sacked for lack of success. Ya think?

The Red Sox play the Orioles @ 7:10 p.m.

The Caps are in Beloit, WI @ 7:35 for a game versus the Snappers

Otherwise. things should be quiet around here today. The workers will continue the work on our deck, I have an adult coloring session this afternoon, and Mary will continue to pursue her needlepoint project. 

That's all folks. Ciao. 

Good morning or good evening, wherever you may be. across the nation and across the world. It is nearing 7:30 p.m. in "The City", where the current temperature is 76° and it feels like 76° with a wind out of the southwest @ nine mph, with a high RHI of 88%. Tonight's low temperature will drop to only 74°. A light rain was falling, but that has been supplanted by sunny skies. Thjose skie will become T-storms after about 1:00 a.m. tomorrow. Those storms will not abate until late tomorrow afternoon. 

We have two alerts going into effect tomorrow morning @ 8:00 a.m. and continuing until 8:00 a.m. Tuesday morning.

First, is a Beach Hazard Statement for the towns and cities along the shores of the "Big Lake." Swimming will be hazardous for those foolhardy enough to venture out without a surfboard or those willing to walk on the piers.

Second, is a Small Craft Advisory from St. Joseph to Whitehall, with wind speeds from 10 - 20 knots and waves building to six feet in height late Monday, but subsiding as we head into Tuesday morning. 

Monday's high temperature will be a lower 78°, followed by a much more comfortable overnight low temperature of 60°. The sun will rise tomorrow morning @ 6:41 a.m. and set later @ 8:58 p.m.

Baseball news was dismal yesterday, as all of my teams lost by varying scores. 

The Cubs are saying that starting pitcher, Adrian Sampson, was a "Bright Spot." Maybe, but with the Cubs only getting two hits all day, Sampson would have to have been the second coming of Cy Young to avoid a 0 - 3 loss. The Cubs are home tomorrow night to play the Nats @ 8:05 p.m.

The Red sox looked bad today in spite of some late inning home runs, as they lost to the Royals, 5 - 13. There was no bright spot in that game. The Sox are off until Tuesday when they entertain the Atlanta Braves @ 7:10 p.m.

The Tigers didn't look much better, as they fell to the Rays, 0 - 7. No bright spot in that game either.

The Tigers are also off until Tuesday night, when they welcome the Cleveland Guardians for a 7:10 p.m. start.

Even the Caps couldn't pull the proverbial rabbit out of a hat, as they fell to the Lug Nuts, 1 - 3. They too will play on Tuesday night at home in the LMCU for a 6:35 start versus the Lake County, OH Captains.

Otherwise, it has been a day of cross-stitching, as Mary nears the finish lime of her latest project. She is also ear-reading. 

I mostly read the book by Wajahat Ali and we collectively ear-read our shared novel. We rushed out with the fur-children this morning fearing the rainstorm that never materialized. That's the weather in W. MI for you. But, if the NWS forecast is accurate for overnight into tomorrow, I won't have to water the vast gardens. Mary took a long walk down to the waterfront for her own photo-op, so I'll include a few from her efforts now.

We still are, Coast Guard City USA, but no more fest this season.

The Lynn Sherwood Waterfront Stadium, located at the old train station, is now back to it's quiet self.

As of this morning, only two CG ships were still in port.

But one finally pulled into the channel, turned around, and was heading out into Lake Michigan. 

Mary also got this pic of an R/C CG tug.

Tonight, I'll be attending my on-line ukulele session and Mary will be ear reading. Ciao. 

Good morning or good evening, wherever you may be, across the nation and across the world. It is just past 6:20 a.m. in "The City", which has now returned to a post-Coast Guard Festival normal. More on the fest later.

We have a current temperature of 81°­ with an RHI of 83%, which combined with the 14 mph wind out of the southwest blowing @ 14 mph, makes it feel more like 88°!

The NWS is forecasting today's high temperature to be 81°, with T-storms this morning and showers throughout the day and into tonight and perhaps tomorrow too. 

The sun will rise today at @6:41 a.m. and set later @ 8:56 p.m.

I made it to the Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival parade yesterday for a photo-op. The parade was canceled the last two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic. This year's parade had a shorter time frame and a revised route. Our neighbor, who also attended, thought that the crowds were smaller this year. I can't say for sure. However, bringing up the rear in their customary spot, was the world-famous Scottville Clown Band. I didn't stay for their appearance. However, I took some interesting pix of other parade participants, so here goes.

Old cars.

Somewhat newer cars.

Older Corvettes

Replica trucks from a parade sponsor.

Beer trucks.

News trucks.

The GH High School Buccaneers Marching Band.

The USCG Pipe Band.

A Coast Guard inflatable patrol boat.

One of the requisite canine units.

An old Woodie Wagon.

A late model Corvette.

A float for CG aviation.

Another requisite canine unit.

An inflatable Coastie.

And some very small cars to round out my pix.

Since this is becoming a longish blog, I'll simply say that the Cubs, the Tigers, and the Caps all won their games yesterday, while my beloved Red Sox lost. 

Today: 

The Cubs are playing in Wrigley vs. the Marlins @ 2:20 p.m.

The Tigers are home in Comerica park to play the Rays @ 1:40 p.m.

The Red Sox are in KC to play the Royals @ 2:10 p.m. 

The Caps are in Lansing to play the Lug Nuts @ 1:05 p.m.

I plan to stay out of the heat and humidity once more, do more reading, more shared ear-reading, more music, and art, and more retirement as the rains and the humidity will keep me indoors.

Mary is enjoying our shared ear-read, her personal ear-read, and her cross-stitching, and we are both celebrating the end of the Coast Guard Fest 22.

Otherwise, that's enough for me. Ciao.