The Washington Nationals hosted Game 3 of the 2019 World Series at Nationals Park last night. To all in attendance and those who were glued to the screen, the resulting loss was hard to swallow. Among that group of viewers was the Professor sitting perched on his seat edge as the game began with the Houston Astros at bat at the top of the first inning. Me? I was sitting comfy nearby buried in my iPhone blissfully unaware and not watching (gasp!).
The first inning was mostly uneventful with three easy outs coming to the Astros. In the bottom of the first, Nationals leadoff man Trea Turner thought he blasted a home run to left field, but the deep shot was caught at the wall. A lot of nail biting was going on as the Professor and his cohorts sat transfixed. This drama continued throughout the bottom of the third as the Astros racked up two runs on the scoreboard against a goose egg for the Nationals. With all the fingernail spitting going on in the living room, I thought to myself, ‘time to take some serious action’. I rose from my supine position on the sofa and announced to the gang, “Looks like the Nats need some help. I am going upstairs and turning on the Hallmark Channel.”
Now, this may seem like an odd remedy, but hey ‘any port in a storm’. This methodology has worked beautifully throughout the Nationals season, so why not pull it out as a final card when they are in the race to FINISH THE FIGHT? And the Professor and his friends believe in my magic, too. So upstairs I go and turn on the Hallmark Channel, and let it gracefully fill the room with love and roses. Once settled, I hollered down, “Ok, it’s on, you should begin to see some results now as it is a double magic remedy – the Hallmark Channel is airing Christmas movies!” The Professor’s response was almost immediate as the 4th inning proceeded downstairs, “Its working,” he shouted up, “the Nationals just scored their first run!” Satisfied and happy that my magic method was once again applying itself miraculaously, I settled back and gazed at the characters on the screen. It was when the movie ended at 10 pm that I got in trouble.
The movie characters were all kissing and blissfully singing carols at the end of the movie when I shook from my reverie and decided to switch the channel. A new episode of Blue Blood’s was airing on prime time and I didn’t want to miss it! Changing the channel proved to be a Big Mistake! You see, when you are working with magic you need to stay the course. In my defense, I thought it ok to change the channel intending only to check-in with Commissioner Frank Reagan and then change back. But as I aired the episode, my eyes grew heavy and well, sleep found me. This fateful decision had the most unwelcome result. The Nationals lost to the Astros with a final score of 4 to 1.
There is not much conversation going-on in my household this morning, I can tell you that! One thing is for sure, I won’t make that mistake again! Game 4 airs from Nationals Park at 8 pm tonight. I will be up front and center watching from my perch on the couch, and STREAMING Hallmark from my iPhone!
As my grandma would say, “there is more than one way to skin a cat!”