Game 3

1994-2002 Rangers logo

REDEMPTION on the 3rd ever World Series game in Texas!!

Thank goodness for home.  What an environment; what a crowd; what a show!

Kelly Clarkson started things off with the Star-Spangled Banner; Nolan Ryan threw out the first pitch; Rangers red and blue were everywhere.  There were a few fans in black and orange, but I think they were giving an early nod to Halloween, not to support the Giants--no way!  After walking into the Ballpark, their depressive demeanor deepened, anyway.  You could just tell that Colby Lewis and the Rangers were going to win.  That gorgeous American flag fluttered gracefully as the four-by-four fly over hyped fans even more.  The Ring of Fire never sounded and looked better, and Martha Plimpton sang a wonderful God Bless America.  Ballpark dogs and peanuts are at their best.  The Texas flags streaking across Green Field and red fireworks skyrocketing above were never better than last night!  What a game to attend, and finally a World Series win for the Lone Star State--Amen!

The 9-hole spot in the offensive line-up only matters if the defensive pitcher is pitching a perfect-game or a no-hitter with no walks given up.  Mitch Moreland's 3-run homer last night proved that underestimating the 9-hole batter is not smart.  The lead-off batter usually gets on base, so when the 9-hole batter gets on and the lead-off man gets on, the two and three men in the order are really set up to score runs.   Josh Hamilton did his job to add insurance; too bad, Andrus and Young were out the play before.  I love lots of Rangers runs, lots of them, but as long as we have one more than the opponent, I am happy.  Thankfully, the Rangers did score runs and the bullpen kept the Giants to scoring less.  What a glorious night!  Poor Cody had his hand squeezed so many different times during the evening, that it is amazing it is still working, today.

Bush 41 and Bush 43 are set to throw out opening pitches Sunday evening; catching them, Nolan Ryan! Lyle Lovett will sing the National Anthem, while Ft. Hood's 1st Cavalry Divison's Honor Guard and Ft. Worth's 301st Air Force Honor Guard will present colors.  US Combat Veterans will sing God Bless America, and at the end of the game, the Rangers will move to 2-2, and then on Monday, Cody, Jason, Dawn, and I will be cheering the Rangers to a 3-2 series lead.  Bucket list depletes by one!

Game 2

1984-1993 Rangers logo

What an absolute fiasco by the Rangers' bullpen.  Not a fan of C.J. Wilson because I think he puts himself first more often than his team, I think he pitched a very good game.  Yes, a breaking ball didn't break and a solo homer was given up, and then a walk in the 7th, but overall, C.J. pitched a good game--a true pitcher's duel with Cain.

With all but the 6th inning, where the Rangers could have taken the lead, Cain made the Rangers' bats look like rookie, AA minor league baseball, but the Rangers' bullpen was inexcusable.  Darren Oliver did his job relatively okay, but four relivers gave up four hits and four walks, two of which were BB-RBIs!!!  In the World Series, nonetheless.

Ugh.  I am glad today is a day of rest.  The Rangers have a day to regroup, and the fans will take care of the morale with a wonderful home field advantage and the first World Series ever to be played at Rangers Ballpark.  "There's no place like home (and home plate)!"

Game 1

1983 Rangers logo

No, the game did not turn out like I wanted, and Cliff Lee left the immortality god-status to the Greeks and Romans.  However, I have tickets to the World Series, and since the Rangers are playing Games 3, 4, and 5 at home, with a win in Games 2-5, they assure two things:  they wrap things up in front of the home crowd, and they play three games at home, while the Giants only play two!  Very crafty planning and cunning, I think.

Last night was supposed to be the game between the two best teams in baseball, but with the San Francisco Giants appearing in only their second World Series (first appearance in 2002) and the Rangers' inaugural appearance, nervousness was prevelant everywhere.  The totals for Game 1:  12 pitchers, 18 runs, 25 hits, 6 errors, all numbers not expected in a World Series game.  The two teams are evenly matched in most aspects of the game, so each team can match the other well.  Hopefully, now that the nerves have had a chance to settle, we will see better baseball for the remainder of the series.

C.J. Wilson takes on Matt Cain for Game 2, and I hope that C.J.'s ALDS Game 1 no decision is out of his head and he gives a stellar performance.  Matt Cain is an adversary.  Each pitcher started the same number of games during the 2010 season at 33, and while Wilson has the better Win/Loss record (15-8 v. 13-11), Cain has the better stats--a 3.14 ERA, giving up 61 walks and recording 177 strikeouts v. Wilson's 3.35 ERA, 93 walks, and recording 170 strikeouts.  The differences are not great, but Cain's consistency does give him the edge.  I feverently want Wilson to pitch the game of his life and the series ties at 1-1. 

Antlers Up!  Fear the Deer!  Get out the razors!  GO RANGERS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

2010 World Series

1972-1982 Logo

Born the last day of spring in 1966, I am 44 years old.  I lived in Arlington, Texas from 1966-1979.  I have annually attended Rangers games since the team moved from Washington, D.C. in 1972.  I have taken student groups to the Ballpark in Arlington for field trips and rewards incentives.  I was a season ticket holder from 1995-2003.  My Mom and I have attended more Opening Day games than we have not.  I remember Arlington Stadium before and after the grandstands, the big, blue Texas in left-centerfield on the scoreboard, and the first dot race (yes, Arlington Stadium is where the dot races began and so did ballpark nachos).  I know all the Rangers logos and have about as many Rangers shirts as I do pairs of underwear.  I still own and wear the opening-day give-away shirt from 1994 when the Rangers' new ballpark opened.  I have my brother's beautifully framed 1995 All-Star Game ticket stub. Sitting at the kitchen table in 1996, Mom snapped a photo of me holding up the tickets and completing the paperwork to have the Rangers organization redeem my unused ALDS tickets, because the Yanks went 3-1 in the series.  I graduated from college in 1988, and have not felt this excited about sports since I was an athlete, myself, even though I coached, and loved it, for eight years.  There is an excitment, a ferver which can not be described, but I feel it down deep in my soul; it is more than a game, really.  I love and watch almost all sports, and can remember key persons or events or plays from so many events, but baseball, hands down, is my absolute favorite sport.  This sport is like no other--play begins with the defense having the ball, the offense never touches the ball, the players themselves, and not the ball, have to score, to name just a few of its idiosyncracies.  I want the Rangers to win in four games straight.  Yes, "good things come to those who wait."  I have waited for this Rangers season for 38 years.

Tornado

The Central Texas, I-35 town of Jarrell was literally wiped off the map in May 1997 when an F5 hit and killed 29 people and approximately 300 head of cattle.

At McDonald Middle School in Mesquite, one horrific, spring day saw a tornado coming from the northeast across the football field and a fire occurring in the building in the shop area simultaneously.  McDonald is a converted open classroom-concept school, which means there are very few windows throughout the building, so when the electricity went off in the building, most areas were in pitch-black darkness.  Due to the fire and the tornado, other people's children were outside to escape the fire and inside to stay protected from the storm. 

Lancaster and DeSoto experienced their own, real version of a tornado in 1994.  Its effects devastated the town square of Lancaster, wiping out many buildings, businesses, and homes.  I taught in Palmer at the time and was driving a van load of students to Stephenville to the 2AA regional tennis tournament.  It was dark, rainy, windy, and here I was responsible for a lot of other people's children, and we were in a car.  I taught in Lancaster in 1996 when the movie Twister aired.  It was not allowed to be shown at the Lancaster Cinemark theatre.  My classroom was in the older part of the building, and it had two skylights, and with the exception of a 36" high wall, the back wall was solid windows.  Whenever it became stormy, the kids became anxious and worried.

Working for the Freestone-Navarro Bi-County CO-OP, I serve 12 schools in seven districts.  A little over a year ago, construction began on a new campus in Rice--the Intermediate-Middle School.  Unfortunately, on Sunday, a high EF2 storm rolled through northern Navarro county at Rice and heavily damaged the new school.  Engineers announced that part of the building is structurally sound and will be salvaged, but part of the building will have to be torn down and rebuilt.

I was driving east on US 190 in Belton when I first heard about the storm on Waco 99.9 fm radio.  They announced that a tornado was on the ground and heading towards the schools in Rice.  I could see the western side of the storm cloud as I drove east, then north on I-35.  The most disheartening aspect was that cloud was beautiful from where I was.  There were no clouds overhead, only to the east, the sun was setting in a beautiful baby blue sky, and those terrible storm clouds were reflecting some of the most serenely beautiful purples and pinks and oranges.  As light began to wane and dusk dawned, the tops of the clouds shone a beautiful lightening storm; yet, with all that beauty, I knew there was a terrible destruction fraught with fear happening below. 

I text messaged tutors in the area, and one was in a closet at church, one was taking shelter at home while her husband stood out in the front yard tracking the storm, because he is a storm spotter.  Two others texted they were okay.  As their messages came in, it was dark and I could see the North Star clearly.  I was traveling north on FM 308 and watched the lightening stop and give way to what was left of a gorgeous Hunter's Moon peaking out from the clouds and then appearing fully.  For something that caused so much chaos, there was a lot of beauty, too.  I am thankful that everyone was safe.  I am thankful that the storm occurred on a Sunday.  I am thankful that the building can and will be rebuilt.

South side of building with almost no damage

8th grade wing, will be demolished and rebuilt

Front of the building, north side damaged, south side almost none

Married!

The "Bell" Honeymooners

Sunday 10/10/10

Long trip getting to the ranch. We each took our own vehicle, because I did have to attend two workshops this week, so Cody left the Country Home before me. I stopped to pay the electric bill in Corsicana. Cody stopped in Corsicana at Atwoods and Tractor Supply for toys for the ranch. We stopped at Love’s near Troy for restroom breaks, and then again, in Kileen for petrol and food. We finally arrived at dusk, and Cody cooked beef fajitas! We star-gazed, but I could not stay awake long enough and hit the bed. Cody continued to star gaze and took some amazing pictures of the unpolluted, ranch sky. Beautiful!

Monday 10/11/10

A lazy, sleeping late kind of day. We slowly loaded the Ranger with salt and mineral blocks, cow spray, deer corn, catfish food, and wood collection bags, and took off on a brief tour of the western and southern areas. Like the Pied Piper of Hamlin, Cody Bell is the Cow Whisperer. We found two of the cows, called and enticed them to follow the 4-wheeler, and rounded up cattle the 21st century way. (Sorry John Wayne!) With food pellets on the ground, Cody sprayed and I counted, 54 cows, to be exact. We checked the Hunter’s Cabin pond—almost dry, the Horse Pasture pond—very low, but we did spot several small bass, and fed catfish at the Catfish pond—lower than usual but still in good shape, and the albino cat showed himself. We even spotted a male cardinal bathing at the far side of the pond. We returned to camp for grilled Alaskan salmon and a lazy, afternoon nap. Afterwards, we checked Carlos’ spot, the hog spot, and left deer corn, Hawaiian Sweet Bread hamburger buns, and leftover salmon. Then, it was off to the Special Place to look for arrowheads, spear heads, and flint for Mrs. Cook, but we didn’t find any. Cody did find one of his old trails from his childhood days, though, and we trekked through the woods. We also looked for some quartz, but no luck. Losing daylight, we came back to camp, rigged our rods, and headed to the Bass pond—down at least seven feet. It was an extremely sad sight, especially after the spring rains earlier this year. We caught small Bass and nice Bluegill, and while Cody killed mosquitoes, watched the sunset, and ate peanuts, I landed a nice Largemouth Bass on a red and white Clouser. After picture snapping, I casted my line so I could reel it in, and caught another, slightly larger bass! A fine day at sea! We came back to camp, and Cody cooked some of the best ribeyes I have ever eaten. We star-gazed, seeing many clusters, galaxies, and two planetary nebulas (what our Sun will become when it dies), until I had to pack it in, due to my workshop on Tuesday. Cody continued to gaze at the ebullient night sky.

Tuesday 10/12/10

I had to give the day to work, which meant a trip to the Service Center in Waco for a workshop. I spent the day learning technology, while Cody wrangled with securing the tractor to the trailer for its journey to Marble Falls for repairs. Cody ate at Taco Casa, and I did Chick-Fil-A. During the day, I received a honey-do list from Cody, and on my way home, I stopped at the grocery store, the ice machine, and Bush’s Chicken for a gallon of sweet tea (not for me but for Cody). We had to round up firewood, so we could roast hot dogs in honor of the Rangers. Dressed to show our support throughout the day, we are looking forward to the winner-take-all, Game 5 Division Series, Rangers v Rays game. It has been an exciting season, and we oh so want the Rangers to win and make a little more history.

We have been switching between TBS and FoxNews, as they ready to bring the Copiapo, Chilean miners out of the cave-in, after spending 69 days trapped 2,000 feet below. What an exciting year!

Rangers win the Division; Rangers win the Division; first miner is out. Emotion, emotion, emotion! What a day!

Wednesday 10/13/10

Another sleeping late, waking after sunrise kind of day. We checked the hog spot to see if they had eaten the buns or the donuts or gnawed on the mineral block, and while hogs had visited and stepped on a donut, nothing, not even the corn, had been eaten. We drove around the area a little more, but no evidence of hogs.

Cody had already loaded the Bobcat, and after showers, hair, and makeup, off to Austin we went. What a slow trek! We went the Burnet to Georgetown to North Austin route, and stopped in Georgetown at Chick-Fil-A, due to ample and large parking spaces. Ever onward to the Bobcat place. The Service Manager listened to Cody’s description of the problem, called a mechanic, and out they went to the trailer. The mechanic, Cecil, only had three tools, and he tightened and loosened screws, Cody drove the Bobcat off the ramp so each man could test drive it, and being good-to-go, they loaded it back on the trailer, repaired and at no cost.

We headed a convoluted path in to Austin to drop the truck and trailer off at a safe space, and drove to the Austin Convention Center, where Mervina and Maureen manned the Read Right booth. We visited for about 15 minutes, snapped some photos for facebook, and headed off to the truck. We picked it up and headed to Sportsmen’s Finest Fly Shop. After buying some Miss Prissy’s, gloves, and a belt, it was time to head to the Ranch. We stopped at Burnet’s Taco Casa for supper and then Wally World for petrol for the farm truck. When we reached camp, we learned that all 33 miners were out of the mine 22 hours after the rescue had begun, and the third of six rescue workers was on his way back topside. We enjoyed reading about the Rangers, photo and story at the fold, and the mine workers in the Austin-American Statesman. I have to attend a workshop in Waco, so no star-gazing tonight, but it is a good one. The nighttime temps are dropping into the low 60s. Definitely, a waning Indian Summer.

Thursday 10/14/10
 
Workshop in Waco on SMARTboards, an awesome piece of technology, I must say!
 
I returned home to the ranch, and we readied for Jason and Dawn's arrival.  Jason met Dawn the day we were leaving for Belize.  I had developed a stupid cold, and he was picking up a Z-Pak for me.  Dawn was the pharmacist on duty that morning.  We have seen texts, pics, and heard about Dawn from Jason, but we got to meet, today, finally.  We ate steaks on the grill and star-gazed until the wee hours.  Good friends, great life!
 
Friday 10/15/10
 

We toured the Ranch and showed Dawn some of its highlights, including feeding the catfish and fishing the pond.  We helped Dawn catch her first fish and drive four-wheelers.

Oktoberfisch Day 1 and Ranger baseball--ALCS, Game 1, baby!
 
We finally made it to Junction and got checked in to our spot at Morgan Shady campground.  We headed to Isaak's for our traditional Friday night meal, and even though the Junction football team played a home game, we went back to the Zoom for Rangers baseball.  Four people whoopin', hollerin', and then, cryin' in an 18 ft. RV makes for an interesting sight.  We'll be on the water, tomorrow, when the Rangers beat the Yanks at the Ballpark for a day game.  We are crushed over tonight's 5-6 loss, but antlers up; we believe the Rangers are going to the World Series!
 
Saturday 10/16/10
 
Oktoberfisch Day 2 on the South Llano River, a little piece of Texas paradise, and Rangers Game 2.
 

Dawn took casting lessons from Diane in the morning, while Jason, Cody, and I got our rods, gear, and boats ready.  We got on the water at 12:30.  This year, we chose to only 'yak the river from the state park to the campground.  It's just a five mile trek, so we did some extended fishing in nice spots.  I wasn't on the water five minutes before I caught a nice Rio Grande Perch on a red/white Clouser, oh yeah--welcome to Hill Country Texas fishing, baby.  I also got to use my new anchor Cody made for me as one of my wedding gifts.  Having an anchor really made a difference; I could hold in spots and slow drift long pool stretches. 

Unfortunately, the river was really down, this year.  The South Llano has several places where it forks and rejoins a mile or so down river.  This year, none of those forks were available for floating.  I did climb a fallen Pecan tree and fished about 20 ft. above a pool, catching a Longear Sunfish, and then I waded down the side fork and caught a second Rio Grande Perch.  Due to the low waters, we really stayed spread out to optimize our fishing.  While we all caught fish, our catch rates were the lowest they have been in a while.  I think the fishing is better above the state park--not so much traffic on the water. 
 

We were proud of Dawn, who caught her first fish on her own.  Dawn used a bumble bee pattern, and caught a Longear Sunfish on a topwater fly!  Excellent!  Everyone else is packing up, tomorrow and heading home after a morning fish, but Cody and I are staying another night.  Wahoo, an extra day to fish!

 Cody did have his Apple Phone and kept up with the Rangers.  After having a hidden branch knock me in the jaw and steal my hat (Cody Bell is oh so happy that hat is gone), Cody greeted me with a kiss and the news that the Rangers smoked the Yankees!  Double Glee!  On to New York, where we will dominate!  We came off the river as they began serving steaks, so we hustled around, got our raffle tickets, picked our raffle choices, and queued for steaks, baked potatoes, salad, iced tea, and cake.  Fine fair, and Cody won a raffle!

 

Sunday 10/17/10
 
Oktoberfisch Day 3
 

We fished in the morning, and Cody had ventured up a slew.  While catching a fish, a Blue Heron flew just above him and pooed on his pontoon boat, ewww!  Thankfully, the bird did not hit Cody, but the poo was big, blotchy spots that were loud!  Jason and Dawn fished with us in the morning, and Dawn really began to master kayaking and casting.  Jason harassed Cody about the bird poo.  They left while we were upstream, so I don't know if they caught anything. 
 

Cody and I having only a little luck upstream, decided to fish downstream of the campground--a first for each of us.  The Bonefish Bitter was not the fly for me this year.  In fact, I used several different flies, which caught fish--red/white Clouser, GirlieBugger, Bonefish Bitter, and a pattern I got from fishing Snoqualmie, WA, but I don't know its name.  Cody stuck with the Bonefish Bitter and CodyBugger with nice success.  Downstream forms a little lake in Junction, and Cody caught a nice bass, but I had no luck.  I did see many deer drinking along the riverbed.  We headed back up to the campground and loaded up the gear and boats, so we could head out, Monday.

 

No Rangers game today; it was a travel day.
 
Monday 10/18/10
 

We loaded up, pulled out, and headed south to Lost Maples State Natural Area, a place neither of us has visited.  We got to the park, and, of course, I bought a patch to add to my collection, we got a map, obtained some directions, and headed off to the trails.  We picnicked in the Zoom, loaded up our rods, since we had seen the Sabinal River ran along the East Trail, and began our hike.  Not long after we started, Cody fished a nice pool and pulled a beautiful Bluegill out.  We figured most of the fish we caught had never been caught before.

We hiked and fished along the East Trail to Primitive Campground A and then turned back.  We were only there for the day and knew we had to leave at 3:00 to make it back to the ranch by 7:00, so we enjoyed what we could.  We were amazed at the high cliffs and abundance of hardwoods that abound throughout, and then, when the trail reached the Sabinal Riverbed, Big Tooth Maples--everywhere.  At the Visitor's Center, we had seen the map display of Maple tree disbursement throughout North America, and Lost Maples appears to be the eastern-most point where Maples grow, until the Sugar Maples in Vermont.

We fished many pools catching aggressive, healthy fish.  At the convergence of the East Trail and Maple Trail, Cody pulled a nice, young Largemouth Bass out of pool.  It was a great hike showing the beginnings of fall colors in a beautiful area of the Hill Country. 

We headed back to the ranch, stopping in Johnson City to eat at El Charro's where they had the Rangers pre-game airing.  Feeling like we were at school, we wolfed down our food, and headed north.  We didn't make it in time for first pitch, but we heard Josh Hamilton's 2-run homer on the radio.  We did make it back and set up the RV in time for the top of the 3rd inning.  What a great game it turned out to be.  Rangers lead series 2-1.  Ahh, what a good way to end our honeymoon.  It's off to Waco for a workshop on Tuesday and a workshop at Nolanville on Wednesday.

Tuesday 10/19/10

SMARTboard 2 workshop, and Wow! what things it can do.  I am amazed at the amount of technology available to teachers and students.  I can not wait to write some SMARTboard lessons for Mom to use in her 1st grade classroom.

Cody cooked on the campfire after I begged him to do so, because I was starving!  I know it's really warm for October, and seems to be warming up, instead of cooling down, but hungry is hungry!  Besides, we had to get ready for the game, and what a game it was!  The Rangers took another game from the Yanks in the Bronx, and lead the series 3-1.  C.J. Wilson is going to get redemption, tomorrow, and we will be breaking in the Yanks new stadium with our World Series berth.  I have been waiting for this since 1972 and excitment is at a fever pitch!  I'll be leaving the ranch tomorrow morning and heading home, but we are coming back to the ranch for a Bell family weekend.  The ranch is definitely fun and another place in Texas we get to call home!