Squirrel

Not only was that NSFW, it was NSFGT as well.

Understandable

Okay, off to play tennis ... peace out, y'all.

Um, what? I'm pretty sure there's indoor plumbing at Target Field.

Well, I'm glad No. 3 in the game thread opener is approaching soon.

6. Laundry. Another past-time.

yes

I know you are but what am I heh heh

Ploooooooooouffe!!!! I love it when Plouffe gives Halsey something to grumble about!

Okay ... that's what I like to see when I tune into a game!

You really got that posting gif things down pat. How'd you learn how to do that?

Ever????? Wow, that's high praise. I think it's the Scoth talking, though.

Well, actually, not so much came out of my clothing closet as I go through that regularly. And only two pairs of shoes ... and one of those went to my niece. But the entry closet and the closet in my guest room had become "don't know where else to put it so put it there until I know what I want to do with it" storage closets. Like I said ... out of sight, out of mind ... you forget what all you put in there until you are forced to go through every last little bit of it like I did recently. And that 'two and a half carloads' is a tad misleading. My mini convertible doesn't hold as much as a regular-sized vehicle.

Brian is unavoidably, unavailable, today. I am never going to be an... equivalent, or even close to... to his greatness. So I'm not even going to try. I'd apologize... but hey, it's not my, fault Brian isn't here... today. I'm sure. He'll let you know... about it in his next... game thread. The Phillies are kind of a meh team. The Twins are worse than meh. The Phillies are on a losing streak of 7 games; the Twins just won one, against the Yankees. The Phillies are going to be looking to break their streak, with a starter who has had a few rough outings in a row now. The Twins are looking to build on their winning streak of one game with a starter that started the season ... good-ish ... but has steadily declined and has had several rough outings in a row now. As I said ... meh vs worse meh. I know, I know ... not an upbeat start to the thread, but what I'm trying to say as 'ineloquently' as possible, is there is hope for a win against another not so great team. Let the high of winning one against the Yankees carry us through! So ... go Twins! Beat the Phillies! As you know, I've been a 'here and gone' presence at game threads this year. I haven't watched all the games and I've been quick to change the channel because, well, it's heart-breaking for me and I just don't have that kind of thickness around my heart. It's also been difficult to come here and watch others express their heartbreak, as understandable as it may be, in an even more heartbreaking manner. So, I can only muster enough for a here and gone presence. Instead of five things to think about, I will present you with five things I do instead of game threads and Twins watching: 1. Cleaning out closets. As reported in other threads, I've been doing some work around my condo ... new flooring in the kitchen and entry-way ... closet 1; new carpeting in the bedrooms, closets 2 and 3. All good-sized and all being used in an efficient manner ... or so I thought. Once I started moving stuff out to accommodate the new flooring, I realized the 'out of sight, out of mind' principle had taken hold, in a not-so-efficient manner. Two and half FULL carloads to Salvation Army later, I feel better, lighter and relieved! (I have a storage locker in another part of my building I don't want to think about yet, but it will come. 2. Baking. I have nieces and nephews and I love to send them care packages. It keeps me busy, I love the aroma and I love more than anything the pleasure and sustenance it gives to these wonderfully deserving beautiful human beings I get to boast that I am related! 3. Playing tennis. Mostly, cardio tennis. I love it. Nothing more to say about that. 4. Channel surfing. Let's face. Some nights I'm just too tired and lazy, so I look for anything else that is just mind-numbing ... more in a 'this is really stupid but I'm watching it anyway' than in a 'man, this game is heartbreaking' mind-numbing kind of way. 5. Reading. From news, to politics, to pleasure ... depending on my current day and mood. Okay, so there you have it ... what I do instead of watching games that break my heart. What are yours? ___________________ Lineups: PHILLIES Odubel Herrera (L) CF Andres Blanco (S) 2B Maikel Franco [R] 3B Ryan Howard (L) DH Tommy Joseph [R] 1B Cameron Rupp [R] C Cody Asche (L) LF Freddy Galvis (S) SS Peter Bourjos [R] RF Aaron Nola [R] P TWINS Eduardo Nunez [R] SS Robbie Grossman (S) LF Joe Mauer (L) 1B Brian Dozier [R] 2B Trevor Plouffe [R] 3B Max Kepler (L) RF Byung-ho Park [R] DH Kurt Suzuki [R] C Byron Buxton [R] CF Tyler Duffey [R] P (And don't get anxious ... I'll post lineups when I'm home from work.) Game-time forecast: Clear, sunny, 82 deg F; winds at 6mph from the W; no rain. Go Twins! Play ball!

Not really a tactical mistake. I'm sure the Dems knew they didn't have the votes all along and wouldn't get them. And if they did get them, okay, good. But it didn't matter. What mattered is they brought attention to the vote, so that more could see where the blockade was. At a time when more people than ever want something to be done about gun violence in this country. And yet again, it failed, but the Republicans taking the very public brunt of the failure.

Kirk in Illinois is trying desperately trying to keep his seat. I don't think he will. Tammy Duckworth is just too strong an opponent and Kirk is a weak incumbent.

Nah ... people have pretty short memories.

Btw ... a black cow and a rootbeer float aren't always the same thing ... they can be when it's strictly vanilla ice cream and root beer, but a black cow can also be made with cola, or with chocolate ice cream. It also is a regional thing. I guess. Yes, I looked up the difference and never reported back. Vanilla Milkshake Day? Hmm ... I typically make or get something a little different than that, but good old fashioned vanilla every once in a while does hit the spot, as you said. It's also World Refugee Day, whatever you want to do with that info. My 'go to' organizations to give donations in this realm are UNHCR, Doctors Without Borders and UNICEF. I typically have a different schedule so won't be donating today, but well, it's World Refugee Day. (As least I received one email today asking for money based on this.)

Takes one to know one

Well, not like that ...

Okay, let's put some padding on!

Well, at least he isn't blinding rays of sunshine like Aggies. I need sunglasses when he's on the game thread.

Such a ray of sunshine you are today!

I'd rather have that, too.

Get it going ... we'll need more than three to win