Lives Now Complete With Overdue Sense Of Parade Celebrating The Unthinkable Texas Rangers World Series Victory Parade

I saw that which you see here on the Saturday version of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, online.

On the Star-Telegram version the three images and captions were side by side. I turned them from being horizontal to vertical for blogging purposes.

I thought those not in the Texas Ranger's universe would find this to be a tad amusing.

According to the Star-Telegram, winning the World Series has put, I guess, Arlington, finally on the map. Maybe it is all of North Texas, now on the map. 

On the map with an overdue sense of pride.

How does a sense of pride become overdue?

And then we learn that winning the World Series renders the lives complete for those living in the Texas Ranger's universe.

The Star-Telegram's pre-parade prediction was that a quarter million Texas Ranger's fans would descend on Arlington for the victory parade.

The Star-Telegram now has that crowd being a half million Texas Ranger's fans for the actual event.

Why is a Texas Ranger's parade unthinkable?

I have heard from one Arlingtonian, Miss Martha, who attended the victory parade. 

According to Miss Martha...

We had a great time. The route was spread out so that there wasn't a huge crowd anywhere along the route except the one parking lot where all the speeches were. We parked in a neighborhood and walked over. Got in and out in 15 minutes.

Miss Martha did not share if her life is now complete, now that the Texas Rangers have won a World Series. Or if winning the World Series ignited in Miss Martha an overdue sense of pride...

Fishing In Village Creek & The Blue Bayou Thinking About Going To Academy Sports Tonight To Get My Texas Rangers World Series Pennant Souvenirs

Grandpa & Grandkids Fishing In Village Creek

Swimming this morning went surprisingly well. The air at that point in time was chilled to around 45 degrees. The water was warmer than the air. Or so it felt.

Tonight it will get chillier, supposedly, if you trust the predictions of the weather gurus, who have issued a Frost Advisory. I guess this means I should put blankets over my palm trees.

I had not gone walking or hiking in a couple days, unless you count wandering for miles around the Fort Worth Stockyards as taking a walk.

Today I went to Village Creek Natural Historical Area and had myself a walk.

This Little Guy Was Hollering "Grandpa I Caught One."

When I reached the Village Creek Blue Bayou I came upon a Norman Rockwellan scene of a grandma and grandpa with a pair of grandkids, fishing in the bayou. Later I came upon them again, in the scene above, having taking their fishing operation out of the bayou, directly to Village Creek, fishing from the dam/bridge.

Earlier today I did not know if the final World Series games was tonight or not. I know now it is tonight.

I also now know that if the Texas Rangers win, no matter how late that win might happen, the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex zone Academy Sports stores will be re-opening so that thousands of rabid baseball fans can buy Texas Rangers World Series memorabilia.

I assume this winning World Series memorabilia will be baseball caps and t-shirts. And maybe bumper stickers? Who knows? What I do know for certain is I don't know where an Academy Sports store is, so I won't be rushing to one if the Rangers win the World Series.

Which I'm sure they will.

I may go to the celebration part that will likely take place at the Ballpark in Arlington, which is only a few miles east of my abode. I am almost 100% I have never been to a World Series winning celebration before.

The Last Friday Of October With No World Series Win Yet For The Texas Rangers

Looking out my primary viewing portal on the world this last Friday of October it appears to be very very dark.

Being very very dark does not match my current Sammy Sunshine mood of feeling very very bright.

Even the sad news, this morning, that last night the Texas Rangers did not beat St. Louis in Game 6 of the World Series did not dampen my Sammy Sunshine mood.

If only those Texas Ranger had managed to score 2 more runs we'd be having ourselves a party tonight, maybe, in Arlington.

I don't know if the final game of the World Series is tonight, or not. I did not read too deep into the article about the World Series. I think maybe all I noticed was the headline that told me the Rangers lost.

Changing the subject from baseball to yesterday's BIG storm.

It was a dud. Only a few drops of water fell in my location. It was windy and cloudy all day and looked like at any moment a downpour might pour down. But, it never did.

Changing the subject from the weather to something else.

This morning when I logged into my Blogger account I was surprised to see that my blog post count was 3,999. Which makes this blog post you are reading right now number 4,000.

I think I'll go for my first really cold swim of the Fall now. I'll let you know how that works out.

Shivering 10 Degrees Above Freezing On Day 20 Of October After Texas Rangers Lose Game 1 Of The World Series

Looking out my primary viewing portal on the world you can not tell it is only 10 degrees above freezing out there.

Not windy. But cold. I am taking a morning off of my usually morning swimming ritual.

It seems like only yesterday I verbalized being appalled that it was already day 20 of September. And now it is already day 20 of October. Which has me appalled.

It is only 11 days until the biggest holiday of the year.

Halloween.

After Halloween we get on the fast track to the dreaded, by me, Holiday Season.

I think the Holiday Season should be like the Olympics and Presidential Elections. Held only every 4 years.

The first game of the World Series of 2011 is history. The Texas Rangers lost. I could not tell from my brief glancing at info about the game if it was played 8 miles from my abode, in the Ballpark in Arlington, or if it was played in St. Louis. I suspect it was in St. Louis because I saw the Star-Telegram had an article singing the praises of the new St. Louis baseball park.

A Remodeled Tandy Teepee With A Texas Ranger Baseball Cap Wearing Tire Winning The World Series

It was nearing 80 when I parked on top of Mount Tandy today to hike the Tandy Hills. Today may have been the last day requiring no shirt for the year, with the arrival, tomorrow, of a blast of cold air from the north.

The Tandy Guerrilla Artist has been busy.

The last time I walked by the Tandy Bamboo Teepee I noticed that the bamboo poles that had been laying helter skelter on the ground had been arranged in a stack.

Today I found the Tandy Bamboo Teepee restored to its original glory. 7 or 8 poles have joined the triangle of poles that had been the Tandy Bamboo Teepee for many months.

Changing the subject, slightly, from Bamboo Teepees to my failing health. Lately I've mentioned, I mean, whined, a time or two about my allergic/asthma woes, combined with my aching arm joint woes.

I am pleased to be able to say that today both woes are a lot better.

Yesterday, Betty Jo Bouvier shared with me multiple speculations as to what might be causing my aching arms. Betty Jo suggested it might be arthritis, fibromyalgia, gout, or, what she believed to be the most likely cause, old age and its accompanying decrepitude.

Changing the subject from Betty Jo's diagnoses to the Tandy Hills Guerrilla Artist.

The mysterious Tandy Tire, that appeared a month or two ago, seemingly out of nowhere, has now been moved to the creek bed, due west of the most major creek crossing on the Tandy Highway.

I think it was trying to lift the Tandy Tire, months ago, that was the start of my aching arm woes.

The Tandy Tire is now wearing a black baseball cap. Does this have anything to do with the Texas Rangers being in the Super Bowl, I mean, World Series, again? Am I remembering right? Did the Dallas Mavericks win the NBA championship this year? If the Dallas Cowboys win the Super Bowl would that be the first time ever one metro area won the trifecta of professional sports championships?

I don't pay much attention to the NFL, but I can't help but notice that the Dallas Cowboys are not doing well and there is a lot of scorn heaped upon Tony Romo. I met Tony Romo, in Dallas, in person, several years ago. He was a likable guy. Apparently being a likable guy has little to do with throwing a football successfully.

Up Early On The 3rd Monday Of July In Texas With A Full Moon, Earthquakes & Incoming Thunder

I stepped outside with my morning coffee libation on this 3rd Monday of July and looked skyward to see a clear sky with a bright white round orb glowing above me.

A full moon. Almost.

Is the almost full moon the cause of yesterday's rare North Texas earthquake that shook the ground with a 3.0 magnitude quake epicentered about 13 miles west of Waxahachie early Sunday morning?

Most likely the moon had nothing to do with the earth quaking. Were there any Barnett Shale Natural Gas Drillers in the area of the quake?

Changing the subject from earthquakes to my favorite subject. Sports.

Do the Texas Rangers and the Seattle Mariners play any other teams than each other? It seems every morning, for weeks now, I click on the Seattle P-I to see that the Texas Rangers have defeated the Seattle Mariners in yet one more baseball game. The Seattle Mariners must have the worst record in baseball history.

Yesterday's temperature prediction for today was 99. Giving us hope of a break from yet one more day over 100. But. This morning the temperature prediction for today has been increased 2 degrees, to 101. With a Real Feel Heat Index of 106. With a possible Thunderstorm late in the day possibly dropping some much needed moisture on these parched parts of the planet.

I guess I will go swimming now, before the lightning starts striking.

Day 8 Of July Thinking About Kava Kava Tea & The Dangers Inherent In Being A Texas Rangers Baseball Fan

The second Friday of July, Day 8, has dawned with the hottest morning so far in 2011, at 83 degrees.

In the view from my patio prison cell you are looking at a jar of Kava Kava Sun Tea busy brewing naturally.

Kava Kava is an intoxicating beverage drinking habit I picked up the last time I was in Samoa. Or was it Fiji?

The predicted heat level for today has been revised upward. We are now scheduled to get to 105 with a real feel Heat Index of 108.

I have never been much of a baseball fan, but I've never thought being that type fan was any sort of fatal pursuit. Yet at last night's Texas Ranger's game at the Ballpark in Arlington a Brownwood firefighter named Shannon Stone fell over a railing, head first, when he tried to catch a ball thrown at him by Texas Ranger, Josh Hamilton. Mr. Stone died of head injuries.

Almost exactly a year ago, on July 6, 2010, another firefighter, this one named Tyler Morris, from Lake Cities, fell while trying to catch a foul ball. This fall was not fatal.

Methinks the Ballpark in Arlington needs to work on the safety of their safety rails. Or ban fans from trying to catch balls. And ban players from throwing balls at fans. And maybe seat firefighters at least 3 rows back from the nearest railing.

It is time to go swimming now before it gets any hotter.

The Thrill Of The Chill Of The 1st Day Of November In Texas

Last year on the 1st of November I remember making a video and declaring on it "It is the 1st of November and I'm still swimming."

Last November it seemed unusual to be swimming in cold water.

This November the thrill of the chill does not seem all that unusual.

It did not even seem all that chilly this morning. It helps that the temperature was in the upper 50s.

That, and, as you can see, since last November I have added a nice layer of insulating adipose tissue.

Is a super obese person able to go swimming in ultra cold water, having what amounts to a natural skin diving suit?

Speaking of chilly. It was a super chilly haunted Halloween for North Texas professional sports teams on Sunday. The Dallas Cowboys lost, as usual. I don't know to whom or by how much. Why did the Dallas Cowboys used to be known as America's Team? At least locally. Really makes no sense to me. America is fond of winners.

A few feet east and north of the location of the Dallas Cowboys' latest loss, the Texas Rangers suffered loss #3 in the World Series, scoring nary a point to get beat by the San Francisco Giants 4 to 0. The Rangers now need to win 3 games in a row to win the World Series, beginning tonight at the Ballpark in Arlington.

If the Rangers now win 3 in a row and the World Series I think the locals should start calling the Rangers "America's Team."

Up Early On Halloween Morning With The Texas Rangers First World Series Win & Promises Of A Haunted Update

You are looking out my bedroom window at a pre-dawn view of Halloween on a Texas Sunday morning.

It did not get as close to freezing last night as the night before, and is a relatively balmy 52 out there right now. Swimming should not be as shivering an experience this morning as yesterday.

The Texas Rangers have now won their first World Series game, beating the New York Yankees 4 to 2, last night in the Ballpark in Arlington. If Texas wins again today, the series will be tied.

Don Young took umbrage at the notion that I might have been questioning his credibility regarding his tale of the haunted Witchey Tree. An important Halloween update on the haunted tree is promised for today.

I see the sun has decided to arrive. The birds seem particularly excited about its arrival today.

I don't know which I want to do tonight. Go Trick or Treating? Or be bored out of my mind watching baseball?

Shivering After Swimming While Wondering How The Duo Bush First Pitch At The Ballpark In Arlington Texas Rangers World Series Game Works

It is the day before the last day of October. I think that makes tomorrow Halloween.

As you can see, looking out my bedroom window, today is a nice weather Saturday morning, unlike last Saturday, when tornadoes touched down in my neighborhood, lightning struck, thunder boomed, rain drenched and my bike was stolen.

It was in the low 40s when I went swimming this morning. It is over 2 hours later and I am still sort of shivering.  I do not remember having a shivering episode, like this, previously.

Unless I count the time I learned a certain someone referred to me as her second husband. Thinking of that can still cause a shiver.

The Texas Rangers need to beat the San Francisco Giants today or they will be behind 3 games to 0 in the World Series. If the Rangers lose today and tomorrow then it will still be able to be said that the Texas Rangers have never won a World Series game.

Today's game starts around 4. This means I need to get my Tandy Hills hike in early, so as to be able to be at the Ballpark in Arlington in time to see the Bush's throw the first pitch. I think that is today. How do both Georges throw the first pitch? Can't there only be one first pitch?

I must go find some more clothes to put on. Or take another extremely hot shower.

It Is Almost November & I Am Shivering From The Texas Cold & The Rangers Losing Their First World Series Game

It is the morning of October 28, which means it is 4 days until November. And Christmas is less than 2 months away.

We are rapidly approaching my least favorite time of the year.

I think it got down in the 40s last night. The pool was the coolest it has been since last winter. I stayed in it for quite a long time. And now I'm shivering as I type.

The Texas Rangers did not win their first World Series game last night.

Elsie Hotpepper sent me a link, this morning, to a funny local (to Texas) TV report from whatever the name is of the home ballpark of the San Francisco Giants.   Didn't it used to be Candlestick Park? What became of Candlestick Park?

On Sunday we will be having Perfect Storm conditions in Arlington. For the first time both the Ballpark in Arlington and the Cowboy Stadium will be full of fans at the same time. Plus, due to it being the Halloween time of the year, I suspect Six Flags Over Texas will be open too.

I have not had confirmation that Miss Puerto Rico made it successfully back to Texas.  She had 3 different airports, on the way back, in which she could have had herself an incident.

Lunch is at 1. Barbecued pork chops. Don't be late.

Feeding Miss Puerto Rico's Cat While Updating My Texas Rangers World Series Faux Pas

You are looking at the late Wednesday afternoon view from Miss Puerto Rico's balcony.

It was a good choice, on my part, that I returned to check on the cat, Tasha, once more, before Miss PR's midnight return.

The food bowl was a bit low.

The cat was in full yowling mode. I don't know if I was being scolded about the low supply of food in her bowl, or my failure to give her one of her special treats when I was there this morning.

In a short while, in San Francisco, the Texas Rangers are looking to win their first ever World Series game. The World Series is a baseball tournament for you who do not follow American sports. There are only Canadian and American teams that can play in this tournament. I do not know why it is called the World Series.

It'd be nice if Havana and Tokyo had a team in the Big Leagues, what with both Cuba and Japan being big fans of baseball.

On a related note. Long ago I made a webpage about Six Flags Over Texas in Arlington. Yesterday a guy named Mr. R. Hicks sent me an email.

Subject line: You might want to change this

"Behind the Titan Hyper Coaster and the top-rated Texas Giant Wooden Coaster, that would be the Ballpark in Arlington where the cellar dwelling Texas Rangers play." 

Oops. I quickly fixed that little faux pas.

And then quickly checked the Ballpark in Arlington webpage for other unfortunate faux pas incidents. I only had to make a couple changes to that one.

When I talked to my mom a couple days ago she told me I really should go to one of the World Series games, due to the rarity of such an opportunity. I guess mom forgot I don't like baseball. That and how would I get a ticket? Aren't they sold out?

The Texas Rangers Antler & Claw Past The New York Yankees To The World Series

You are looking at a screen cap from this morning's Dallas Morning News.

Last night the Texas Rangers beat the New York Yankees, 6 to 1, winning the best of 7 American League Championship for the first time, which put the Rangers in the World Series for the first time.

The Rangers beat the Yankees 4 games to 2. The Yankees are the winningest team in baseball, with 40 American League Championships and 27 World Series wins.

The odd use of the word "claw" in the Dallas Morning News headline is because of something the Rangers do. "Claw" and "Antlers." A couple days ago someone tried to explain "Claws" and "Antlers" to me, but, I didn't get it. But, apparently a lot of others do get it.

The Rangers fans directed a lot of heckling at Alex Rodriguez. I can not remember for sure, but I think Rodriguez was playing for the Seattle Mariners, then the Texas Rangers paid him an obscene amount of money to play for them. But then Alex did not like Texas, which somehow had the New York Yankees taking possession of him.

The one and only time I attended a Texas Rangers game, at the Ballpark in Arlington, they were playing Seattle. I do not remember if Alex Rodriquez was playing for Seattle or Texas at that point in time. I do remember calling my mom when Rodriquez was up to bat to tell her I was at a baseball game.

Alex Rodriguez was the last out, last night, striking out, to give the win to the Rangers.

A Full October 22 Moon & The Texas Rangers May Get In The World Series Today

You looking at the full moon last night from Miss Puerto Rico's balcony.

Viewing the passing humanity from Miss Puerto Rico's balcony can be entertaining. Last night was particularly loony, maybe due to the full moon.

Will the moon still be full and causing lunacy tonight? When the Texas Rangers might possibly win one more baseball game, thus putting them in the World Series for the first time?

I don't think I will be in attendance for tonight's game.   I may go over to Miss Puerto Rico's and listen to the cheering.

It is already October 22. Time is zooming. I don't like this phenomenon.

It Is October 20 & The Texas Rangers Are 1 Game Away From Being In The World Series

As you can see, standing with me out on the patio, we have a little cloud action on this, the morning of October 20.

It is a relatively balmy 63 this morning. I am waiting for the sun to add a bit more brightness before I take my morning pool dip.

The Texas Rangers are only one game away from being in the World Series. I do not detect the level of mania here of the sort that infected the Pacific Northwest the year the Seattle Mariners were in the playoffs for the first time. I think the New York Yankees were involved at that time, too. Or maybe it was a California team.

If I recollect correctly, and I likely don't, the Texas Rangers are doing much better than the Seattle Mariners did. I think the year was 1995. Maybe later. Maybe earlier. I am almost 100% the Seattle Mariners were never only one game away from being in the World Series.

I do remember that the Mariners were making noises about leaving Seattle due to not liking playing in the Kingdome. But the voters turned down funding for a new ballpark. And then the Mariner's miracle season happened, coming from way back, winning game after game and then getting in the playoffs and suddenly there was political support all over the state for funding a new ballpark. And thus Safeco Field was born.

I remember big crowds greeting the Mariners at Sea-Tac upon their returns to Seattle. Are big crowds going to greet the Texas Rangers at D/FW International Airport? The Kingdome could not hold all the people who wanted to watch the Mariner's playoff games. Huge numbers of fans stood outside the Kingdome during the games. Was a Jumbotron set up for them to watch the game? I don't remember.

Since I have been in the D/FW zone I don't think any of their professional sports teams has done well. Maybe the Dallas Mavericks basketball team has won a championship. But I don't recollect it. I know the Dallas Cowboys have been way more hapless than the Seattle Seahawks ever since I have been here. And yet they still call themselves "America's Team." America likes winners. I don't think the Dallas Cowboys is America's Team anymore, if they ever really were.

It is bright out there now. Time to go swimming.

The State Fair of Texas In Dallas Ends Today While Last Night The Texas Rangers Beat The New York Yankees

One would think I could sleep in late on a nice quiet Sunday. One would be wrong.

Looking out my bedroom window you can see it is very dark out there.

It is already October 17. The last day of the State Fair of  Texas. By the end of today another State Fair of Texas will have closed for the year without me managing to make it to Dallas to have me some Deep-Fried Beer.

The Texas Rangers are one win closer to being in the World Series, via beating the New York Yankees last night. I think I could hear the cheering. The Ballpark in Arlington is only a few miles east of where I am sitting right now.

It is 59 degrees at the current point in time, about a half hour before the sun finally gets around to lighting up the place. When that happens I am going swimming and will be staying in the pool til I am chilled to the bone. Which should not take too long.

Up Early Blogging Late Pondering BBQ Burgers & Yankees Beating Texas Rangers

I was up early, am blogging late, on this October 16 Saturday morning. It is a semi-chilly 56 out there right now. That is a little warmer than when I went swimming soon after the sun arrived.

I did not watch the New York Yankees send the Texas Rangers' fans into shock last night when the Yankees suddenly went into overdrive in the 8th inning and evaporated the Rangers' 5-1 lead.

I'm not a baseball fan, but you can't help but be exposed to it. Am I remembering wrong? Isn't the middle of October usually when the World Series  takes place?

I think I will do me some Tandy Hills Hiking today. And after I work up a good appetite, come back here and barbecue some burgers.

The Day After Columbus Day Thinking About McDonald's & The Texas Rangers Winning The World Series

I did not get up as early as yesterday's early start to Columbus Day, but I did get up well before the sun, this post-Columbus Day of October 13.

The sun should be appearing in about 20 minutes, if it has not been delayed.

I'm not a baseball fan, except sometimes. Like the year the hapless Seattle Mariners got in the playoffs. If I remember right I went to one of those games. I think they were playing the New York Yankees. I do remember, whoever the Mariners played, they beat. And that I was in the McDonald's luxury suite in the Kingdome. Being in a luxury suite made watching a baseball game much more tolerable.

I do not foresee getting to watch the Texas Rangers play in the playoffs whilst viewing from a luxury suite at the Ballpark in Arlington. I know no one who here who has a luxury suite. The Texas Rangers beat Tampa Bay last night to win their series. I don't pay close enough attention to know if this means the Texas Rangers are now in the World Series, or if they must win another playoff series to be in the World Series.

I know I could easily find the answer to precisely where the Texas Rangers are in their quest to win the World Series, but that would take at least 30 seconds to find out and right now I am more interested in going swimming.