Hot! Hot! Hot!

Happy Monday from an under the weather Master.

I knew I was in for this! I knew I should not have overstepped that line that said, 'One was enough. If you exceed, you will pay dearly.' Today I am paying dearly. Without seeking sympathy or a pat on the back, I am well aware that a summer cold is about to kick my sorry ass. You know when you awaken and a persistent sore throat is the first sensation to awaken you. The kind of pain that promises to keep your attention for a week.

There is a pattern to see this sort of thing coming. Too much play, too little sleep, a little stress from work you choose to take home, poor eating habits, an inability to relax then BAM! The moment you get a little comfortable it all hits you at once. Adding to an unbearable situation is the oppressive heat.

Getting sick in the summertime is nowhere near as fun as in the wintertime. I can remember days when Mom would keep the hot water on the stove inside the kettle at least half full. On sick days there was always a ration of Cream of Wheat and Chicken Soup. The Chicken Soup always seemed to make the pain go away.

It also seems that when you're young in the wintertime, whatever it was that ailed would enter and leave you in a quick fashion. Don't think for a moment that in my middle age do I believe that I will be a quick healer. Much like physical activity, it takes a solid week to heal. That's life.

Life has a way of providing your checks and balances even if you do not. There comes a time you just have to turn it off and relax, regroup, reenergize. Now is my time.  All necessary precautions will now be taken to amend what needs mending. I hate not being at my best and enough about that.

Hard to believe it was three years ago this day that Sammy Sosa as a Texas Ranger hit Home Run #600 here in Arlington against the Cubs. One of the few times I didn't bring a camera. Sammy wore 21. The pitcher who threw the pitch wore 21 and it was on the 21st! Blackjack anyone? I like those odds! Sammy was gone after 2007, much like Barry Bonds.

Nice sweep by the Texas Rangers on the road in Houston. I read where Josh Hamilton stopped with a toe tap and now he's playing lights out. Not that they're beating anybody with a winning record but they keep on winning and their pitching continues to defy and impress. One concern I do have is if injuries begin to decimate the team, or if Darren Oliver and Franky Francisco start to falter in the August heat I won't be surprised to see C.J. go back to a reliever role to help the team.

Tommy Hunter, CJ, Colby Lewis, Scott Feldman, and the rest have been a pleasant surprise. Oh yes, the Rangers bullpen with a collective ERA of 3.04! 3rd best in the American League. Nice. Pirates and Astros come to Texas to complete the 2010 run of interleague play.

Nine more days and 2010 will be half over. Unreal. Time for this old man to find the way to heal...

Over and out in Big D

Mr. Will