Beyond the Scent of Woodsmoke.

If you are receptive to the sights and sounds all around you begin to notice a suttle difference of appearance in your immediate surroundings. Here in North Texas the fact that we are finally getting much needed rain is a blessing, except when the natives try to drive in it and have no clue how to navigate the roadways when a puddle comes close. I on the other hand take heed to the orange leaf collection that starts to gather on my vehicle.

I find it curious that autumn tends to bring out that 'Fire' smell. You know the aroma, it's like someone just put some twigs together and there's that smell of a brush fire far off in the distance. Minus the damage it can cause potentially, I really like that woodsmoke smell. It's also very prevalent in the Northwest near Eugene Oregon and Central Washington...

As we near the start of the World Series I am reminded that yesterday marked 17 years since the Bay Quake at 5:04 pm as the start of Game 3 with the A's and Giants was delayed 11 days. The tremor was a 7.1...Oakland would finish the four game sweep on the Giants on October 29th 1989...

Remember where you were this day in 1977? I do. I saw history with my own 13 year old eyes. Reggie Jackson, with a walk in between, on three swings off three different pitchers would homer three times in a convincing 8-4 Game Six win over the L.A. Dodgers. Three homers and five ribbies. Jackson had also homered in Game five, a 10-4 drubbing by the Big Blue.

As the Detroit Tigers await the matchup with the Cardinals and the Mets, history has shown that a team with a 3-2 lead who goes on the road tends to fall short in a game six. Of course Met fans will remember what occurred in 1986 as they were three outs away from allowing the first Red Sox championship in 68 years. Then Calvin Schiraldi hit a batter and allowed a wild pitch. What should have been a 5-3 lead dissipated into a 6-5 loss when Mookie Wilson hit the dribbler that went past Bill Buckner's legs. I remember it like yesterday. I lived in Anaheim and was still stung by how Boston had come from a 3-1 deficit to knock out the Angels.

Who do I like in this NLCS? Only because I want to see a repeat of 1968, I want St Louis to win. This series will probably go seven games. I still believe Scott Rolen will make a difference if there is a Game seven.

I had been joking all day on Monday how weird it would be to have two different Cardinal teams ready to play. Rain lessened that to one. It reminded me of a weekend in 1987. The week of September 19th I believe. Pope John Paul was in the states making a papal visit. That weekend the Saints, Notre Dame, Cardinals, Padres, Angels, among others were victorious. Go figure. Certainly there was some 'Divine Intervention' with the way the Chicago Bears remain undefeated after a harrowing 24-23 victory on the Arizona Cardinals. Poor Neil Rackers. Two missed kicks as his heart jumped into his throat. No matter, Matt Leinart showed alot of poise in defeat. This desert team will get better with time.

The Stars finally lost in a fast paced shootout in San Jose 2-0. Goalie Nabokov was lights out. The tandem of Thornton, Cheechoo and Marleau were too much. The Stars were bound to lose sooner than later. Back home Friday for a brawl with the Blackhawks. I will be there!

It was 86 at lunchtime this day. As a cold front blew through, the mercury at 10 pm said 55. I love the fall! May it stay this way for a time to come.

Over and out in Big D

Mr Will