New Windows, a New Birdie, and a Special Gesture

Written on 7-14-25.

     We bought some paintings.  We saw two mountain scenes that had gorgeous greens, blues, and creamy whites with even brighter whites for the snow.  I thought they would look wonderful with the new creamy white paint on our walls, and they do.  B doesn’t like them as much as I do, because they aren’t reflective of a true mountain scene in the world somewhere; he just used his imagination to paint them.  We got the certificates of authenticity in an e-mail a few days after the purchase.  Hopefully, they will grow on Belinda.  I know she doesn’t hate them.

Danielle did...

not pass one of the physical tests, something to do with a pulling out a hose or breaking down a door in 90 seconds.  It’s all tight-lipped and subjective, we’ve discovered.  That was a melancholic and devastating thing for Danielle.  She was the only one, so she felt singled out, a true living nightmare for her.  She just wants to work and blend in.  

Thankfully, she passed the academic test on Friday (it’s Monday now), and she also took 4th place in the run.  That did a lot to help her mood, but she still needs to take that test she failed in a month, and she missed out on getting the extra pay by being off of probation by one month.  Bummer.  She will be retested on August 7th.  I will pray a few more rosaries with her as the intentions.  We will all be relieved to know all of the testing and the probation will be over soon. 

In other news, we got our new Anlin Windows for our home installed early.  They had a cancellation or something, so they put them in on Thursday last week.  Wow, what a difference!  They look and feel better.  Anlin Windows are one step below Renewal by Anderson Windows for quality.  The new picture windows in the living room and the outside our deck doors look incredible.  I know they are much more energy efficient than the ones we had since the house was built.  Total upgrade.  We won’t recognize our home when we get back in there…if we ever get back in there.  They said we could start to move back in on Saturday.  We shall see.

  

On to golf…

Troy got a hole-in-one when he was back in Florida!  He was playing at Esplanade Golf and Country Club, and it came on hole #8, a par three, of course, from 160 yards out.  So cool!  They signed the flag for him.  I never asked him if he bought drinks for the group he played with.  To this day, I still have not had a hole-in-one.  Never say never.

I really enjoyed my round with Kyle.  Since we played at 1:00 due to my early dentist appointment, it was extremely hot.  I chose not to play a game and just play for fun.  I think he was nervous, because he got caught behind a few trees, and he also hit some tee shots out into the desert rough.  It was just great to see him.  He doesn’t leave until July 28th I found out.  He also invited me to the new Mormon Temple that is visible from nearly everywhere around the golf course.  I got an invitation from Paul Mitchell, also.  I don’t know if I will make it a priority, but it would be interesting to see.  

I played well on the front nine, and part of that was due to the following birdie on hole #7.

Pinon Hills-Hole #7-Birdie #5 of 2025

I hit a decent drive that ended up in the middle of the fairway.  Sometimes, I go well left of the fairway, but this one came out straight and sweet.  The flag was in the middle, but it wasn’t in the bowl.  It was on the top of the first tier near the edge.  

My 9-iron put my ball close and on the proper tier left of the hole.  I got that confident feeling that I was going to make it, and I went ahead and putted while Kyle was getting ready to play his next shot.  It moved left to right from 15 feet away, and then my golf ball gently tapped the flagstick.  It felt good to get a birdie with Kyle watching.  

When the round was over, I was beat, parched, and sapped.  I think he was, too, but he had something for me when I dropped him off next to his truck.  He had inherited his grandfather’s truck after he passed.  I ran into Kyle at the hospital after he had just visited him, and he was a bit spacey.  He told me later that he was sorry for being so rude, but I told him I understood.  His grandpa was dying.

Anyway, he got something from his truck, and it was a 'thank you' card for me.  Inside was a very gracious message about how much I meant to him…and it also had his “stick.”  For every student for the last 20 years or so of my career, I gave each student his/her popsicle “stick” on the last day.  I told them to bring it back to me (if they remembered) after they graduated from high school.  Each year, I would use those sticks to randomize their names for calling on students to answer questions, and that is how I used them.  I have gotten around 30 of those back, and that is why they are so special to me.  I was too tired and a little too shocked to cry, but it meant a lot to me.  I definitely welled up.  That might be the last one I will ever get.  It was an incredible gesture.

We hope to play one more time before he goes.  Time is moving fast.

I will write about the Yellow Ball Tournament next.  Time to get ready for bed.  I just wish it was our own bed.  Maybe this weekend?

Until next time…