Play-Off Bound?

Matt Holliday, Mark DeRosa, Julio Lugo have been added to the Cardinals lineup in the last couple of weeks. This says that Cardinals management can smell play-off games...

Over the weekend my excitement about the new defense/offense additions was questioned by a few family members. We had the worst road trip of the season. The Astros swept us in Houston. The Phillies tried to demoralize us Saturday and Sunday. We beat them soundly in Philadelphia Friday night. Saturday we lost 14 to 6. Sunday we held them to 9 runs while we had 2. It was a horrible end to a miserable road trip.

Monday we were back at home. Good News. We were facing the team with the best record in the National League. Bad News. Carpenter was on the mound. Great News.

If you have watched any Kevin Costner baseball movie, you know that superstitions in baseball are HUGE. Well, I have been reluctant to blog about games won and lost due to my baseball superstitions. However, I think it is time to talk.

My boys (as my cousin calls them) have been able to hold the Dodgers down. Resounding victories were won Monday and Tuesday. Tuesday the victory came after an hour and a half rain delay. Last night was a game for the record books. They managed to keep Manny's bat quiet. That in itself is an incredible feat. Everytime LaRusa goes to the bullpen I shiver. This is our achilles heal. Last night, however, was proof to the world that the St Louis Cardinals 2009 team is world class!

The fans are the best you can get. At 12:15am - the stadium was still full. Still cheering loudly for the Redbirds. I didn't even have to look to know that Manny was going to the plate - the boo's could be heard in Tulsa without the aid of television. 15 innings and almost 5 hours after the game began - the great Albert gave us a walk-off base hit. We won 3 - 2.

Wednesday night review by Matt Leach: "In short, the Cardinals did nearly everything right on a night when they had to. A team that had been 8-31 when the opponent scored first got a win when the opponent scored first. A team that was winless when trailing after eight, won when trailing after eight -- and after 10 1/2 as well. A team that hasn't been to the playoffs in three years played an awful lot like a playoff team."

Long days and pleasant nights...

Texas Ka'Tet

Since childhood I have had very vivid dreams. I am one of the lucky ones that remembers dreams clearly - often. Sometimes they are so real I have a freaky feeling for days afterword. Sometimes I feel as though God himself is talking to me.

A few years ago something even weirder (this is TammieLand and that is a real word here) began happening. Pat Green began appearing in my dreams. These were not random appearances either. The first appearance was a couple weeks before I was scheduled to see him at the Calf Fry. I was unsure whether I could make it due to my work schedule. He came to me in my dreams several times - needless to say, I made it to see him. This then became the norm. Every time Pat felt that I "needed" to see him, he told me so.

Unlike Pat, Boland knows I will see him when he is within driving distance and I have the money. I've even been known to go to the Cain's alone to support the band.

In the midst of all these "visits" SK taught me about todash. This explains everything. I'm not actually dreaming, I'm being transported to a different dimention at the same time Pat is there. Pat is obviously my Dinh.

All that brings me to last night. I had no sleep aid to help me thru the night. I was a bit bummed that the Cardinals were rained out - I was ready for another defeat of the almighty Dodgers. The last I remember before sleep took me was Jim Belushi. He has nothing to do with anything Texas that I know of.

So it was quite surprising when Jo and I appeared outside a concert venue - I can only assume we were in Austin. We were discussing the reason I was actually leaving before Jason went on stage. According to that conversation - he and I had grown apart.

todash - I was sitting on a sofa in a small dark room. Jason was lying on the sofa with his head on my lap. We were talking and I found a small growth on the back of his neck.

todash - I was at a hospital. My mom was sitting on the bed, Patty and Renie were in the room. I told my mom to move because Jason would be back any minute.

todash - I'm still at the hospital walking around a corner there is Pat Green - he gave me the update from the doctor.

todash - randy rogers is singing in my ear - kiss me in the dark.

todash - I'm back in my bedroom watching Sam Champion give today's weather forecast.

What do I take from this dream? Well, obviously God wants me to move to Austin to save JB's life! I have already contacted my fellow gunslinger and the plan has begun. We must do as our Dinh commands. In remembering the face of our fathers - we will save our fellow gunslinger in the Texas ka'tet....

Long days and pleasant nights

Holliday Goes to St Louis!

Breaking News from Cardinal Nation...

July 24, 2009

Matt Holliday is batting .287 with 11 homers.Cardinals Trade for Matt HollidayThe St. Louis Cardinals acquired outfielder Matt Holliday from the Athletics on Friday in exchange for Triple-A 3B Brett Wallace, Triple-A right-hander Clayton Mortensen and Double-A outfielder Shane Peterson. Holliday, 29, hit .287 with 11 homers and 54 RBIs this season for the A's but has been hot of late, batting .338 with a .413 on-base percentage, three homers and 14 RBIs in July. He is eligible for free agency this offseason.

You can not slap the smile off my face right now. All I can say is - all you nay-sayers - sit back and watch fundamental baseball at it's very best!

Long days and pleasant nights...

Oprah Mae's Big Adventure

I have said this before, I'm not a cat person. To prove that - my "cat" has turned into a pup-cat-coon.

She has been going outside with Millie and Toby when they get their potty times. The past couple of weeks I've even become brave enough to let her stay outside alone with her sister while I take a shower and get ready for the work day.

This morning I heard Millie do her "MOMMA THERE IS A CAT WITHIN MY EYE SIGHT YOU NEED TO COME KILL IT" scream. So I went running. I didn't want one of the neighbor cats getting my Oprah Mae. Well, by the time I made it to the back door, Toby, Millie and Oprah Mae were looking at me like I was a bit too over protective.

When I got out of the shower, Toby and Millie were on the bed looking at me. This was odd because Millie rarely leaves Oprah Mae outside alone.

I looked outside, no Oprah. No alarm, she was probably behind the shed in the compost. So I dressed a little faster than normal. Looked out the back door, still no Oprah. Made a bowl of cereal - surely she is on the side of the house. Went outside with my cereal calling Oprah Mae. Normally when she hears me call I will see her running to me, or at the very least telling me she isn't ready to come in.

Not behind the shed or under the lawnmower cover or on the side of the house. Slight panic. Look under the bed - she loves to hide from me. Nowhere in the house.

I am really panicking at this point. Send Nanna a 911 - Oprah is Gone! text. Put the phone down and start looking in the neighbor's yard. She was looking at the the Big Woods next door. When I saw her she had her back to me. I said, calmly - Oprah Mae what are you doing? She froze - slowly turned to look at me - got that deer in the headlight look - ran right past me to the back gate of our yard. Couldn't figure out how to get back in the yard - ran under the front porch. I'm seriously considering having her chat with Strait. He could tell her what happens when you try to run after obviously doing something your mommy thinks is wrong.

I sat down and wiggled my fingers. She couldn't resist coming out for a "good pupcatcoon" scratch on her head. Our trip back into the house was something from a comic. Me carrrying Bill the Cat all 4 legs spread wide to avoid being taken to the killing chambers. Not to mention that for a cat that never stops talking she hadn't made a sound until we were on our way inside. Then the sound was like she really was being taken to the gas chamber.

At lunch, I let her venture back out again. I had suspected that she went thru the gate/fence opening. So I made it where she couldn't do that again. Proof that I was right came when she tried pushing her head thru mesh and it wouldnt go. She was so upset that she went back inside and pouted. Needless to say, the door was closed. Millie began pouting because I made her come in with Oprah.

Someone asked if I spanked her. Well, if it had been Millie or Toby the answer would have been yes. Don't go calling PETA quite yet. A slap on the bottom isn't puppy abuse. It does work in extreme cases with them. However, cats are different. You see, Oprah Mae didn't do anything wrong, I did. She was simply taking advantage of the opportunity to chase flying things on the other side of the fence. I failed to notice she woke up as a cat today.

Long days and pleasant nights...

All Star Magic

Last night didn't go my way. The NL lost a record 13th all star game in a row. Well, not exactly - one year the Commish called the game a tie - the uproar over that call is still being felt.

However, it is the All Star Game. I normally wouldn't blog the after game report. Except something very exceptional happened last night. I'm not talking about the absolutely incredible plays made by the best of the best. Those were expected. I'm talking about our President.

He arrived on the field in jeans and tennis shoes. He was wearing a Chicago White Sox jacket. He took his time to shake the hand of 88 year old legend Stan-the-Man Musial. He stood on the mound and had a look like an 8 year old boy that has just been handed the ball by his hero. The throw not that great, but it made it to the plate. Then the look on Albert Pujols' face was just as priceless. Two men understanding the moment. A poor boy from the Dominican Republic catching a pitch from the 44th president of the US. Who happens to be a young black boy from Hawaii.

It didn't begin or end in this moment. Before the game President Obama visited each clubhouse and shook the hand of every man there. He even gave Albert hell for allowing a Brewer to win the homerun derby in Albert's house. After the game started he went to the broadcast booth and sat there for a whole half inning. Just hanging out and talking baseball.

When he was asked about his allegiance to the White Sox - his reply was honest. Unlike most Sox fans who trash talk the Cubs - he simply doesn't cheer for them - no trash. He also said that he was wearing the White Sox jacket because his wife thinks he "looks cute in it." I swear that is a quote.

I know we have had many presidents that were baseball fans. We have had many presidents throw out the first pitch. But I can't remember a president showing his human side at the outing.

No matter what you think of his politics - this man is the real deal. It is a very refreshing change.

Long days and pleasant nights to ye...

All Star Break

Everything that happens in baseball from April thru early July sets the stage for October.

The All Star Game is the one game in all professional sports that truly showcases the best of the best. We the fans get to choose the players we wish to see on the field. Neither side is really a "dream team" of baseball. They are more of a hodgepodge of the who's who world of baseball.

The All Star break is a 2 day event these days. It begins with the homerun derby the Monday night before the game. The games best hitters are invited to participate. Most do, ego's and bragging rights are at stake. Pujols was there last night. The derby was held in his home field, so everyone just knew it would be no contest. Everyone was wrong. I'm not saddened by this turn of events. You see, there are those that are saying that my beloved Albert is most likely the next steroid victim. This hushes some of that talk.

The All Star game is now very important to both leagues. The winner of the game clinches home field advantage in the World Series. Since the inception of this new rule, the AL has won an overwhelming percentage of the games. Let's hope this year is different.

The importance of this break to me is the stats going into the second half. My redbirds lead their division by two games. This is very important for morale. We have the lead in a tough division. The Cubs aren't producing as everyone had anticipated. The Brewers are playing like predicted. I am the only one that predicted the Redbirds would be a force in the division this season. =)

Last season I whined a lot about the fact that I had to learn 17 new names. This season only three of those new names returned to St Louis. LaRussa loves to utilize the Triple A team. He rotates players more than most men change their underwear. While this is very risky, it also ensures that each player shows up ready to play and prove his worth. Literally the only men on the team that are certain they will play before arriving at the ball park are the announced starting pitcher, Albert and Yadi. Even Ludwick and Ankiel who signed very lucrative contracts aren't certain of starting. The result is that every swing of the bat and defensive play count.

So, good luck to the NL tonight. Get some rest tomorrow - then the mad dash to October begins!

Long days and pleasant nights to ye...

Rocklahoma 2009

Someone said during Country Fever that it was like a family reunion. You make friends that you only see once a year, and what a party! Ok, that is greatly paraphrased, but you get the idea.

That saying isn't completely true with me. I'm a part-time volunteer. LOL. I see Jo, Barbara, Hunter, Marlene and John thrughout the year. But I have to admit these concerts are the one time we are all together at once. And it is fun.

Rock 08 was the year that I adopted Hunter and he adopted me as his Mom. We have had a lot of fun with that. I rescued him from an extremely intoxicated young woman. Rock 09 gave me an addition to the family. This story also involves a rescue from an extremely intoxicated woman. I didn't go so willingly into this adoption. It just kind of happened. She was all over my "son" the security guy. When she abruptly stopped and exclaimed she couldn't "talk dirty" to him in front of his mother and pointed at me. I was clueless to her comment. He began laughing so hard that he couldn't breathe. She left still thinking I was his mother. On the happy side of that, I now have an 18 month old grandchild. I told Shannon that I expect visitation and Christmas/birthday presents. Before I left Saturday night we snapped a family portrait. This is mainly so Nicole will know what her new brother looks like. She is still in denial that Hunter is in the family...

There were others that we befriended. Moe even made a pal out of a security guy. That story is also funny. I wasn't there to see it - but seems someone kidnapped Moe and took him down to the pit in front of the stage. He was totally rockin out and/or terrified by the time Bucky and a few of his compadres came to his rescue. Lorri, Jo nor I let him too far from our site after that. In fact Saturday night he left his post selling souvenir pins for the chamber to help out his new BFF Bucky on security detail.

This is my new friend Doug. He worked the almost same hours as me during Country Fever - but I rarely saw him at Rock. Didn't want to leave him out - just in case he happens by tammieland... lol

The only other notable story from my end. I met a rockstar. Something you must know when dealing with Rockstars is that they get a bit pissy when you have never heard of them. This particular rock star is from the 80's and I soooo should know who he is. Anywho, I introduced him to Frank as Chip Winger. He corrected me a couple of times and then Frank loudly corrected me. It didn't stop Kip aka Chip from trying to get me to go backstage with him. What did stop that from happening is the fact that I had no clue he was trying to get me to go backstage until Frank pointed it out to me. By that time it was too late, he was gone. Story of my life.

That's my brief prose about a fun filled weekend in Oklahoma.

Long days and pleasant nights...

Life Looking Better?

The middle of the year is bringing good news!

Mom seems to have finished her chemo. She has a CT Scan scheduled for the last week of the month and then we see the Oncologist 2 weeks after that. Yes, I said "we". This is a family affair - her children would never think of letting her see the oncologist alone.

Stephen has a "happy" heart. Or at least that's how I'm looking at it. He had some sort of procedure to keep his heart beating at a healthy rate earlier in the week. He is home and doing fine.

Aunt Becky no longer has that pesky anuerism in her brain. The operation to remove it was successfully completed Monday. She is also back home now and doing fine.

My dryer went into a coma the last weekend of June. I say coma because I thought it was dead. Jimmy came up to work on it. We determined that it was probably the outlet. So the landlord had an electrician check that out. The outlet to the dryer was ok, but there were some other serious electrical issues he found. So that was about a 3 hour visit. The result was - living room light now works - dryer still in a coma. Tuesday night Daddy came up to switch my current dryer out with my old dryer from Renie's old house. After a look at the comatosed dryer - Daddy brought it back to life! Now, my old washer and dryer are living at a new home in McAlester.

The Redbirds have been playing pretty solid ball. Pujols has been outstanding, as expected. What was not expected is Ludwick's slump and Ankiel's less than stellar performance in the first half of the season. Another huge unknown was the performance of the numerous rookies we have this year. To the surprise of everyone - they are red hot. Pun intended. The Cardinals are one of the best teams at working its farm system. This season proof of that is on the field in St Louis with Rasmus especially.

Finally, today I received an email from my 401k fund. After about a year of losing money - last quarter my account was up 14%!!! This means I might be able to retire at the age of 90.

Long days and pleasant nights to ye