A Fogless Tuesday Morning With The Texas Rangers On The Verge Of Winning The World Series

There is no fog clouding the view from my primary viewing portal on the outer world on this final Tuesday of the 10th month of 2011.

No fog and the outer world is currently being heated to a relatively balmy 61 at my location on this parched part of the planet.

I have never aboded in a location only a few miles from where a World Series is being played. Apparently last night the Texas Ranger won again, taking a 3 to 2 lead in the series against the St. Louis Cardinals.

I'm guessing the World Series returns to St. Louis now for the final game or games. If the Texas Rangers win the series, and I am almost certain they will, where will the requisite celebration parade take place? Arlington really does not have much of a downtown. The big town in the county the Rangers play in is Fort Worth. Will the parade take place in Fort Worth?

Or will the celebration parade take place in the Big City of the D/FW Metroplex? That would be Dallas.

Maybe the Texas Rangers could just parade around the parking lots that surround the Ballpark in Arlington and Cowboys Stadium.

I think I will go swimming now and further ponder this perplexing conundrum. Or not.

Walking With The Ghosts Of Village Creek Thinking About Pregnant Goats, Asperger's Syndrome, Caribbean Cruising & Disneyland

The dense fog that blanketed my zone of this parched part of the planet lifted by the noon time frame when I headed to Pantego.

The route to Pantego passes by the Village Creek Natural Historical Area. Even though I'd just been to the Village Creek Natural Historical Area yesterday, I decided to stop for a walk.

The newly refilled with water, Village Creek Blue Bayou, was looking particularly blue today.

This morning I found myself being perplexed by Betty Jo Bouvier and her assertion that decades ago I had allegedly been mean to a pregnant goat. I have absolutely no recollection of ever being in the presence of a pregnant goat. I would think I would remember such a thing.

Betty Jo Bouvier has a history of remembering things I don't remember. Such as Betty Jo's claim that she, me and one of the future stars of LOST, went skinnydipping at Bay View State Park when we were teenagers. I may have forgotten about being mean to a pregnant goat, but I'm almost totally certain I would remember skinnydipping with Betty Jo Bouvier and Honey Lulu.

Speaking of strange behavior. Yesterday a concerned bystander was discussing Gar the Texan Nerd's strange behavior with me. Gar the Texan Nerd is currently on his 8th or 9th Caribbean cruise of the year. Gar the Texan Nerd now bills himself as a "Professional Cruiser." I don't know how well this pays.

I explained to the concerned bystander that Gar the Texan had recently been diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome. When I was told about this diagnoses it was an aha moment for me, as in 'aha,' that explains the strange behavior of Gar the Texan Nerd.

Anyway, having a fun experience, like going on a cruise, and then mindlessly repeating the experience over and over again is a classic Asperger's type thing.

This morning this got me thinking if Gar the Texan Nerd going on a cruise 9 times in one year is an Asperger's Syndrome symptom, then do I have Asperger's too, what with my almost daily swimming and walking or hiking?

It gives me pause to wonder.

There was a time when I was younger, in my 20s, maybe early 30s, when I'd drive down to Southern California once a year, either in the spring or fall. Always going to Disneyland as part of the trip to Southern California. I think if, back then, I found myself driving to Southern California and Disneyland 8 or 9 times a year I would have been concerned I was going nuts. I don't think Asperger's Syndrome had been invented yet, by that point in time.

Nurse Martha Had Me At The Proper Use Of You're

Nurse Martha had this "You had me at the proper use of You're" graphic on Facebook this morning. I thought it was amusing.

Months ago, also on Facebook, Miss Connie liked, "THEY'RE going THERE with THEIR friends. It's called grammar, use it."

I know of one grammar challenged person who's chronic improper use of "your" identifies her like a fingerprint when she tries to do some of her evildoing anonymously.

To accidentally type "your" when you mean "you're" is an accident most everyone has had a time or two. To do this chronically is another thing. It's indicative of either a bad education, not being very bright, not caring, being lazy or a combo of any number of reasons.

Speaking of a time or "two" "to" do this "too", that's another one that some seem to have trouble with. Two, to and two.

Another pet peeve of mine in this area is misspelling. I know of one particularly blogger who, in addition to chronically making the above mentioned grammar errors, constantly misspells. The Blogger program has a built  in spell checker. How does someone not notice a word getting redflagged as misspelled, which just happened with redflagged, which apparently I have misspelled. The spell checker wants to me change redflagged to either red flagged or red-flagged.

The chronic misspeller to whom I've referenced doesn't even fix misspelled words that are not even words. Like this particular challenged person will type "ment" when she means "meant" and not notice that "ment" has been red-flagged. Or care.

The way karma works I have likely made some embarrassing grammar or spelling area in this particular blogging. I'm sure someone will  point it out to me if I have.

A Dense Monday Morning Fog Greets North Texas After The Texas Rangers Tie The World Series

You can sort of see via the pre-dawn view from my secondary viewing portal on the outer world that this next to last Monday of the 10th month of 2011 is a foggy morning in Texas.

A dense fog always seems so odd to me at this location. I've always associated fog with being near large bodies of saltwater. The only saltwater near this parched part of the planet is fracking saltwater polluted by the Barnett Shale gas drillers.

Changing the subject from fog to baseball.

Well, North Texas slept a bit sounder last night, peacefully going to sleep knowing the Texas Rangers beat St. Louis in Game 4 of the World Series.

I had intended to go to the State Fair of Texas this year. In the abstract, before the fair started, this seemed like something I wanted to do. But, somehow from the day the fair opened, in September, til closing on Sunday, I did not make it to Dallas.

My right arm is back aching bad again. Because of that pain and the pain of trying to find my way to my swimming pool through a dense fog, I think I'll skip swimming this morning.

Un-Naturally Looking For Sycamore Trees, Facebook & Shovels Today At Village Creek Natural Historical Area

Some Un-Natural Signage On Some Un-Natural Concrete

At some point in time in the previous 12 hours rain soaked the parched parks in this part of the planet. This soaking made the Village Creek Natural Historical Area my area of choice, today, for my daily aerobic stimulation.

There has been a time or two I've thought to myself that it is a bit odd to call this location a "Natural Area."

The Tandy Hills Natural Area might have a thing or two that isn't all that natural, but not to the level of un-natural that exists in the Village Creek Natural Area.

Today, at the point where the paved trail starts at the west end of the Natural Area I noticed a new sign had been laminated on to the concrete. That makes for two un-natural elements, one being the paved concrete trail, the other being the laminated sign, added east of the already installed un-natural brass plaque, dedicated to those who helped bring about the Village Creek Natural Historical Area.

Apparently Arlington's Park Fans Are
Naturally Fun!

The laminated sign informs us that "Our Fans Are Naturally Fun." And asks to be liked on Facebook. Apparently you can get a free app for your phone by aiming your phone at the free app symbol. My phone is not smart so this option was not available to me.

There were a lot of people enjoying the Natural Area today. I even saw a rare sighting of a family picnicking deep inside the Natural Historical Area. We are in that rare sweet spot, temperature-wise, where North Texans will venture outdoors for some park fun.

About a mile from the parking lot I came upon the strange scene you see below. A camouflage jacket, a shovel and a bucket.

What Sort Of Nut Hauls A Bucket & Shovel Into
A Natural Area?

Why would someone haul a shovel and bucket so deep into this Natural Historical Area I wondered to myself? There was nothing in the bucket.

I continued walking. About a half mile later I came upon a guy in camouflage pants that matched the jacket. He also had a matching camouflage hat in the Aussie Outback style, that always looks a bit goofy to me.

I asked the camouflage guy if that was his jacket, bucket and shovel that I came across back a half mile. He indicated it was. I asked what he was digging for. He told me he was hoping to dig up some Sycamore tree roots. I asked why. He said Sycamore trees look cool and he wanted one in his yard. I wished the camouflage guy good luck and then hurried away from him.

Did this guy not realize he was in a park? A Natural Area type park? You don't go digging in a park, let alone a Natural Area that is very Historical.

I have no idea what a Sycamore tree looks like.

Up Late Sunday After Rain Did Not Stop The Texas Rangers From Losing Another World Series Game

I am up after the sun on this next to last Sunday of the  10th month of 2011.

As you can see looking skyward through the bars of my patio prison cell the sky is clear and blue. Again.

However, I can tell that rain fell on the outer world last night due to the fact that there is extreme wetness out there.

Apparently the rain fell after, or not in amounts sufficient to thwart last night's World Series game at the Ballpark in Arlington. The game took place with Texas losing again in a game with an awful lot of hits and runs.

The St. Louis Cardinals had 15 hits and 15 runs. While the Texas Rangers also had 15 hits, but only 7 runs. Clearly Texas needs to increase their hit to run conversion rate.

Due to last night's precipitation there will be no Tandy Hills hill hiking today.

It is 61 degrees in the outer world, right now, in my location. So there will be swimming this morning, as in right now.

Checking Out The Tandy Hills Prickly Pear Cactus Orchards Before Going To A Texas Rangers Themed Town Talk With Flappers At Wal-Mart

A Pair Of Prickly Pairs Almost Ripe For The Picking

On my way to Town Talk today I decided to check in on the Tandy Hills. I rarely experience a visit to the Tandy Hills without coming upon something perplexing or mysterious.

I think the Tandy Hills may be the Twin Peaks of Texas.

My primary reason for visiting the Tandy Hills today was to check in on Prickly Pear Cactus Orchards I have been closely monitoring.

Why would I be closely monitoring the Tandy Hills Prickly Pear Cactus Orchards you are possibly wondering to yourself.

Well. The Prickly Pear Cactus, in addition to producing prickly needles, also produces edible fruit. That would be the red pears you see in the photo, sitting on top of the Prickly Cactus.

Prickly Pears can be consumed in a variety of ways. I like Prickly Pear mixed in with lemonade. I also like Prickly Pear Jelly. It's very easy to make. Below is my favorite Prickly Pear recipe....

PRICKLY PEAR JELLY  
1 gal. prickly pear cactus fruit, very ripe, deep garnet color
4 c. juice
4 c. sugar
2 pkgs. fruit pectin
Gather the fruit using tong and gloves. Put fruit in sink with water. Using tongs, swish in water to remove stickers. Cut fruit in half. Place in large pan. Boil until fruit is shriveled. Mash with potato masher. Strain through jelly bag or cheese cloth. Bring juice and pectin to boil. Add sugar and boil to jelly stage. Pour into jelly glasses and seal.

Is garnet another way of saying "red?" I have no idea. I suppose I could look it up.

Town Talkers In Texas Rangers Championship T-Shirts

After surveying the Prickly Pear Cactus crop it was on to Town Talk and Super Wal-Mart, with the Wal-Mart made necessary due to the need for a bread product.

I was not long in to Town Talk when I noticed that all the people who work at Town Talk were in blue Texas Rangers Championship t-shirts.

Being a transplant I'm thinking I am not quite getting caught up in the excitement the locals seems to be experiencing regarding the World Series coming to town.

This World Series excitement thing was further in evidence at the Beach Street Wal-Mart. The greeter at one door was dressed like a Roaring 20s Flapper. The greeter at the other door was dressed like a princess. The store was busy, real busy, the day before Thanksgiving level of busy.

As I walked past the deli I saw a big sign advertising a Game Day Special of 100 pieces of fried chicken for $68.00. Usually it is 8 pieces for $5.88. I am math challenged so it is beyond my calculating ability to determine if it is a bargain to get 100 pieces of fried chicken for $68.00.

When the Super Bowl came to town I hauled myself down to the Cowboys Stadium zone a couple times to check out the madness. I do not feel similarly drawn to haul myself down to the Ballpark in Arlington zone to check out whatever madness may be going on there.

With about 3 and a half hours to go before the start of the 3rd game of the 2011 World Series, clouds have begun to blow in. Those clouds would seem to need to greatly increase if they have any hope of raining out tonight's game.

The Last Saturday Of October Waiting To Stand To Watch A Wet World Series Game Tonight At The Ballpark In Arlington

You're looking out my primary viewing portal on the world at the barely post-dawn view of the last Saturday of the 10th month of 2011.

The sky is currently clear of clouds in my location.

Apparently this currently clear sky will start to fill with clouds as Saturday progresses. By 7pm, at the start of tonight's World Series game at the Ballpark in Arlington, the weather predictors are predicting a 50% chance of rain falling on the field.

I did not get a ticket to tonight's World Series game. All that left were standing room only non-seats. While those non-seats were a bargain at something like $380 I did not think I could stand for several hours, not in my delicate condition.

I have not gone swimming for 2 or 3 mornings in a row. My aching elbow joint problem seems to have greatly abated. Was this caused pain being caused by swimming? I don't know. But, I may find out this morning when I return to the pool in a few minutes.

With Betty Jo Bouvier & The Afternoon View Of Texas & Washington's Central Markets

If I remember right I've referenced the morning view through the bars of my patio prison cell a time or two. I do not recollect ever referencing the afternoon view from my patio prison cell.

That is what you are looking at in the picture. The Friday afternoon view through the bars of my patio prison cell.

As you can see, it is a bit brighter than the morning view.

And warmer. Currently it is 80 degrees out there, somewhere between 5 and 6pm.

I was talking to Betty Jo Bouvier a few minutes ago about the salubrious benefits of herbal teas. This led me to mentioning where one might find Kava Kava tea. In my location I can find Kava Kava at Sprouts Farmers Market and Central Market.

Betty Jo Bouvier is in Washington. That is an American state in the far northwest corner of the country. Washington has no Sprouts Farmers Market. Until this afternoon I thought Washington did have a Central Market.

Well, actually, Washington does have a Central Market. It is just not the Texas version.

I remember when first I heard that a Central Market had opened in Mill Creek, in Washington, thinking it odd that Central Market would be expanding to Washington when they have only recently expanded from Austin to the Dallas/Fort Worth zone.

I had heard reports from Washingtonians about the Mill Creek Central Market. What a great grocery store it was. When I asked if they'd gone to Burger and Bock this was met with confusion. That should have been a clue to me.

So, today, whilst conversing with Betty Jo, about tea, I looked up Central Market Mill Creek. Then went to their website. Surprisingly low quality level website for a Central Market operation, I thought to myself. It did not take much looking at this website to realize the Central Market in Mill Creek has nothing to do with the Austin based Central Market, except for sharing a name.

The Austin based Central Market's website matches what I'd expect from a Central Market Texas website.

I must try and remember which Washingtonians I have told that they need to check out Mill Creek's Central Market and make amends.

Confirming That There Are Now Two Giant Tires On The Tandy Hills While Worshiping At The New Tandy Shrine With Fort Worth Sewer Guys

The Tandy Hills Horse Shrine

I had not planned on returning to the Tandy Hills today. It seems like I was just there yesterday.

But extremely pleasant temperatures and an anonymous comment from someone calling him or herself :"Anonymous" had me deciding to go to the Tandy Hills today.

Anonymous made a comment to a blogging yesterday where I mentioned another GIANT Tire had appeared on the Tandy Hills.

This is what Anonymous had to say...

I'm pretty sure it is the same tire as Tire Number One, and just appears to be Tire Number Two by virtue of its having (by itself or with help) moved a bit northwest (a direction with which you are obviously familiar). It has been lollygagging in its new spot for a while now.

And while we are in Tandy Hills, how come no pictures of the monument taking shape at the junction where the North Trail Up The Hill and South Trail Up The Hill merge into The Trail Up The Hill? The little horse on wheels has been joined by golf balls, an electric cable insulator, and a really large hollowed-out bone. If you've been taking the New Trail Up The Hill Recently Hewn By City Workers, then you would miss the newest art installation, thus explaining the lack of pictures.

(Which is fine by me since encouraging artists by noticing what they do can lead to unpredictable results, not all of which are pleasant.)

I was 100% certain I'd seen two GIANT Tires yesterday, so I felt compelled to confirm the existence of two GIANT Tandy Tires with photo documentation. And to check out the new, apparently ever growing, Tandy Hills Shrine. That is the new shrine above. The view from the shrine is looking west at the stunning skyline of beautiful downtown Fort Worth.

The most interesting, or disturbing, part of the new Tandy Shrine is one of the pieces Anonymous mentioned, that being the "really large hollowed-out bone." Is it a Cow bone? Dog bone? Human bone?

Giant Tandy Tire #1 With Baseball Cap

Above is the original GIANT Tandy Tire in its resting place in a dry Tandy Creek bed. This particular GIANT Tandy Tire is still wearing the baseball cap I pointed out a couple days ago. Now let's move on to GIANT Tandy Tire #2.

Giant Tandy Tire #2 Without Baseball Cap

As you can see, this GIANT Tire is not resting in a dry creek bed. It is laying on the ground near one of the odd green and white posts that appeared within the past year or two. Please make note of the tire tracks on the Tandy Highway. Those tire tracks were not there yesterday. I decided to follow the tracks to see where they led, since that sign that you saw by the new Tandy Shrine clearly says "NO MOTORIZED VEHICLES."

Fort Worth Sewer Guy's Tandy Hills Transport Device

I headed south on the Tandy Highway, following the tire tracks. After a quarter mile, give or take a few feet, I heard voices. Then a white pickup truck could be seen through the brush.

My one long time reader may remember I have an aversion to white pickup trucks. They have been nothing but trouble to me.

I continued on my quest and soon saw what had been making the tracks on the Tandy Highway that led all the way to GIANT Tandy Tire #2. It is the Fort Worth Sewer guys back doing what ever it is they do every once in awhile on the Tandy Hills.

Changing the subject from Tires and Shrines to the temperature. It is surprisingly warm today. Almost 80 at the present point in time. I thought the hiking with minimalist outerwear days were over for the year. As I often am, I was wrong. I heard on the radio, though, on the way to the Tandy Hills, that a new cold front is scheduled to arrive in a few days. Possibly with the first freeze of the year? I don't know.