2 - 1

Monday was a little unexpected.

El Oso had already returned from two days in an isolated cabin in the woods of southern Missouri, overseen by an elderly Trappist monk, a true-to-life hermit isolated from humanity.

“It was a little surreal,” he admitted. “Like crossing into another time.”

He still had the day off work for Monday, so after an eager Puck was dropped off at school, no longer offended by the baldness of his line-backer-like school teacher, we hit the road for a rare day-date.

QT.

Barnes & Noble (two Minecraft manuals for Puckster and “healthy” cookbook).

Trader Joe’s (chocolate peanut butter cups).

Five Guys Burgers (bacon cheeseburgers and ginger ale)

Drive through wealthy old Webster Groves neighborhoods near the train tracks.

Pick up a happy Puck from school.

When he saw the first Minecraft manual, he about split in half with excitement. Not to mention Mom and Dad were back from Branson when we drove over to the Big House to pick up the truck. Plus, after a little homework, my boys went to the movies: “Boxtrolls,” while I picked up the weekly groceries where flocks of Cardinals t-shirts browsed the aisles in time to get back for the game. Does any other city do it this big?

And then…

NLDS Game 3

St. Louis Cardinals vs. Los Angeles Dodgers

8:07 pm

This post season has already been ridiculous across the board. Just a mass of long, hard-fought, unexpected, come-back games. From Baltimore to Los Angeles.

This night, two blasts by Carpenter and Wong decided the home win between curtains of rain.

And now, Carrie and I get our first-ever taste of witness-in-person play-off game time. Tomorrow afternoon at 4:07.

Cardinals: 2

Dodgers: 1