Monday evening report . . .

1. Lazy Labor Day here at 214 Main. But I did make a wicked stew in our new crockpot. Tomorrow I will make corn chowder. Did my grocery shopping in Vermont yesterday. (I prefer Shaw's over Hannaford and Price Chopper. Nice ride, and I discovered a great bookstore in Manchester, Vt. And I was able to get the Boston Globe!

2. My wife just told evilnicola: "You really are your father's daughter!" They are talking on the phone. I love my kids!


3. Please do not take this as a gloat. Remember, I suffered to get here. This is a great time to be a Red Sox fan. The magic number drops to 18 tonight, we had a no-hitter, we have a Native America rookie who rocks, and I really believe this is the year. I am thoroughly enjoying myself.

4. What's wrong with the lead headline here?

5. Interesting question and answer on the Red Sox official site?

After seeing Buchholz throw a no-hitter Saturday night with JasonVaritek behind the plate, it occurred to me that this is the third timea Sox pitcher has thrown a no-hitter to Varitek. Which catcher inhistory leads this category?

Excellent question. Upon research, the answer will probably surprisemost of you. A Hall of Famer named Ray Schalk holds the record bycatching four no-hitters. Schalk played all but one of his 18 seasonswith the Chicago White Sox before retiring in 1929.

6. Watched the battle of Pelleneor Fields while cleaning today. "I am no man!" "That still only counts as one!"