Slight Detour: Saturday Slight

Fog

Smoke

Heat

It's the season for all of the above.

I was a bit surprised at all the fog this morning, but after yesterday's thunder and lightning and short rain showers, maybe the cooler temperatures of the night brought it out.

Whatever the case, all of the above have led to some fascinating scenes:

Black-eyed Susans sagging in the afternoon heat.

Interesting hues of orange in the morning sky.

Ghost-like images in the fields.

As this morning's sun has risen further in the sky, the fog has dissipated as have the brilliant colors in the sky.

Smoke, however, lingers, creating a hazy morning and probably irritating lots of lungs.

This week I finally gave in to the afternoon heat and found things to do inside.

One of those activities---or should I say "non" activities involved some couch potato Netflix bingeing.

There's a new series of "Little House on the Prairie" episodes, and it is very good.

It did not take long for me to adjust to the new actors and actresses depicting Ma and Pa and Laura and her sister Mary, etc.

All are good, as are the scenery and the narratives.

This season offers eight episodes, and I'm regretting that I have only 1.5 yet to watch.

If this afternoon is as hot as yesterday's, I'll be done and anxious for next season.

Netflix has definitely saved me from the dog days of summer. BTW: the dogs don't mind staying inside out of the heat either, but they just sleep.

I call 'em "sagging susans," but, happily, they pop right up when the afternoon heat goes away.

The story and photo below are filled with amazing irony, and a beautiful story leading into tomorrow's World Cup final, pitting Spain vs Argentina and Yamal vs Messi.

The picture of Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal from 2007

Ben Collins

BBC Sport journalist

3 hours ago

Argentina captain Lionel Messi says it is "crazy" to be facing Spain's Lamine Yamal in Sunday's World Cup final after being photographed with him as a baby.

In 2007 Lamine Yamal's parents won a charity photoshoot at Barcelona in which 20-year-old Messi held their five-month-old baby.

Speaking to Messi during a news conference in New York, NFL legend Tom Brady called the photos "very prophetic".

Messi said: "That photo is incredible. The fact that we're both playing in the World Cup now is crazy."

Lamine Yamal made his Barcelona debut at 15 and has inherited the number 10 shirt from Messi.

He helped Spain win Euro 2024 and, now aged 19, could become the youngest player to win the European Championships and the World Cup.

"He's one of the best in the world right now," said 39-year-old Messi.

"I wish him luck because his success will be Barcelona's success.

"We'll try to keep him from playing at his best. Spain has a great team, not just him.

"He's a tremendous player - a global star. He's 19 years old and has his whole career ahead of him. I wish him the best, but we'll give it our all to ensure he doesn't become champion this time."

Messi attended a fans' event on Friday with Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez and Spain captain Rodri.

After the news conference, Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni hugged Spain counterpart Luis de la Fuente, who was one of the instructors when Scaloni gained his Uefa Pro coaching licence in Spain.

Former England defender Rio Ferdinand and actor Kevin Hart hosted the event, while tennis legend Novak Djokovic and NBA star Kevin Durant joined Brady in asking questions.

Brady continued his ongoing feud with Logan Paul as they argued on stage before the record seven-time Super Bowl winner slapped the YouTuber turned WWE star, with New York Knicks player Karl-Anthony Towns splitting them up.