"The Game"

"The Game". How many times have we heard that recently? And how many meaning does it have? Many!! Ask somebody if they watched "The Game" and they know exactly what you mean. It all depends on the day you hear it. Saturday (Gophers/Badgers football). Sunday (Twins vs. Kansas City). Monday (Vikings vs. Packers). Tuesday (Twins v. Tigers). Tuesday (Wild opener). And now Wednesday (more about that in a jiffy!) Throw in a major marathon on Sunday and "The Cities" is a sports-lovers dream.

It just doesn't get much more exciting than the Twins game this evening. Oh. My. Stars!! That is one game that will be remembered for a long, long time. 54,000+ screaming fans. Extra innings. Unlikely heroes (Casia). First major-league win for the Twins pitcher. At least one more major league baseball game in "The Dome". John Gordon at the peak of his announcer's "Game". (I prefer the radio, truth be told). And in the end, central division champions. (I'm sure the T-shirts are already printed!)

And then there was that Monday Night game. It doesn't get much better than that on Monday night football. Or Sunday afternoon football either. What a game! The Vikes made me a little nervous in the second half, but they pulled out a great win and remain undefeated at 4-0. I now understand what the Packers found so appealing in Favre for 16 years. :-) I am now certifiably a Fav-ray fan!!

Pure entertainment in every sense of the word. Love. It.

Congrats to Tom O'Leary who ran a 3:11:02 marathon P.R. in St. George, UT this weekend. Tom Woo also ran his second sub-3:10 marathon this year with a 3:09:30. Excellent running you guys. You rock!!

Registration is open for the January 1 Resolution Run at Running Room. All registered runners get a running jacket.

The price goes up November 1.

Mark Carey will be competing in Ironman Hawaii/Kona this weekend. I believe there will be an article in the Post-Bulletin sometime soon. Good luck to you, Mark! What an accomplishment to get there. I can't even imagine ...

It sounds as if the RTC News will be transitioning to an electronic-only version over the next couple of issues. Those that still want a printed copy mailed to them will need to request it. This will save the club many thousands of dollars per year. If you haven't looked at the eNewsletter, do. It's much nicer looking with color photos. See the RTC website, member's section.

John Resman is looking for volunteers for the Section 1A cross country meet at Northern Hills golf course on Thursday, October 29. Help is needed from 3:30 to approximately 5:30. It's a lot of fun. I've helped for many years and plan to again this year. I've always worked the finish line. If you would like to help, contact John.

Sounds like it's going to be COLD this weekend for Whistlestop. Like ... a high about 40 degrees and WINDY. Actually, that bodes well for me. MUCH better than heat.

Lots of RSVPs are coming for the breakfast run at my house on 10/17 @ 7:30 AM. All are welcome, whether you run or not! Bring your friends! Family! If you're planning to come, please let me know rsaxman@charter.net so I make sure I have enough food. But come even if you don't get around to RSVP'ing. Can't wait! The last one was totally fun.

My son Eric was playing Ulimate Frisbee in Decorah on Saturday (Luther homecoming) and landed wrong on his left foot. Broke it. I found out Saturday while I was up in the cities for TC10 and I was just sick about it. He got it X-rayed in Decorah and they told him he'd probably need surgery, but he should go to a specialist. He went to the Dr. in Rochester today and saw the same podiatrist (mine too!) that he saw last time he broke his foot (same foot, same place, playing basketball). Good news. No surgery needed. Just a boot (again) for 6 weeks. Poor kid. I really do feel sorry for him. At least he can still drive. But he will now have to ride the bus to work instead of his bike.

I made a pan of brownies for Shaun Palmer the other day. Great brownie recipe from the King Arthur Flour Cookie Companion (cookbook--very good cookbook). I don't find it online on the K.A.F. website (a great website). But it's called ...

On-the-Fence Brownies

(Not too fudgy, not too cakey)

1 cup unsalted butter

2 1/4 c. sugar

1 1/4 c. Dutch process cocoa

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. baking powder

1 Tbsp. vanilla extract

4 large eggs

1 1/2 c. unbleached all-purpose flour

1 c. chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)

1 c. chocolate chips (optional)

Preheat oven to 350. Lightly grease a 9 x 13 pan.

In a medium microwave-safe bowl or medium saucepan set over low heat, melt the butter, then add the sugar and stir to combine. Return the mixture to the heat (or microwave) briefly, just until it's hot (110 to 120 degrees), but not bubbling; it will become shiny looking as you stir it. Heating this mixture a second time will dissolve more of the sugar, which will yield a shiny top crust on your brownies.

Str in the cocoa, salt, baking powder and vanila. Whisk in the eggs, stirring until smooth, then add the flour and nuts and chips, again stirring until smooth. Spoon the batterinto the prepared pan.

Bake the brownies for 28 to 30 minutes, until a cake tester inserted into the center comes out clean. The brownies should beel set on the edges and in the center. Remove them from the oven and cool on a rack before cutting and serving.

Time to hit the hay.

Quote for the day: "“Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” -- Confucius

Good night! Go Twins!!