Fleetwood Wins and The Progressive Best Ball Beginning

Written on 8-24-25.

       It’s a Sunday afternoon, and I am watching the FedEx Cup.  Tommy Fleetwood is leading now, but it’s early.  I went to a luncheon after church at the parish hall, so it’s a bit later in the day to be watching and writing about golf.  Father Raja’s parents are heading back to India after three months here in America, and that was the reason for the get-together.  They were incredibly kind, quiet, grateful, and humble.  I saw lots of pride sparkling from their faces for their son, too.

I just had a FaceTime call with Guy.  He called/used me on his way home after watching an Italian soccer team on TV.  One of ShyShay’s club volleyball friend’s fathers paid $15,000.00 for a small part of that team.  His friend joked...

What Caused Crater Lake? It's Not What We Thought

Written on 8-16-25.

   I am lying on one of the queen beds in our little cabin.  We are in Room #4 of the four rooms in the G Cabins, and the electricity has gone out.  We just had a dreamy breakfast over at Annie Creek’s Restaurant, which is connected to the gift shop.  We had some rain last night, and the feeling is very different from yesterday.  It’s overcast and cool.  With no electricity, it is darker, too.  The only light that is coming in is from the single window opposite me.

Belinda spoke with Danielle after we ate, and she informed her that she had spoken with many of her academy buddies this morning.  They are supportive, but they all said...

Crater Lake

Written on 8-15-25.

       As we were driving to Crater Lake yesterday, we learned that Danielle had failed her test, so she was “let go/fired.”  Or, she could take Academy all over again and go on probation for another year.  Basically, two more years of her life with lower pay and humiliation.  My goodness!  It sent a dark pall and chill over our vacation, and our rented Chevy Trax was filled with silence for most of the trip after we received the news.  We tried to call her, but she didn’t answer.  We called Amanda instead, and she was as mad and shocked as we were.  We could only conjecture at what had happened, and the ‘not knowing’ was increasingly frustrating.

Finally, after our boat tour today, we were able to connect with her.  She talked, and we listened.  We were thankful that Kyle was the first one to see her after he came home from Becca’s house where he is currently working remotely.  Dani-girl needed her family, and soon she was surrounded by them.  Great job, Albuquerque crew!  

She took the test that involved hoses again, but the evaluator gave her...

Redwoods and Pacific Coast Highway

Written on 8-13-25.

    I am sitting on the deck attached to our VRBO chalet near Crescent City, CA.  I see Jamie, our host, watering the lawn and spraying off the shed below me.  She has been a wonderful host, and we have enjoyed our stay here.  The location has been super, and we’ve visited Redwoods National Park and the ocean yesterday and today.  Yesterday, we drove to

(and then hiked) Stout Grove and Grove of Titans.  Both were...

A Necessary Facelift and Our Grandote Experience

Written on 8-3-25.

    Shane and crew just left after doing the final part of this very long house project.  The last piece ended up being the hole where our vent used to be in our master bedroom, the one for the old swamp cooler.  Now, I am sitting under our mini-split AC, and I am enjoying the view of a filled in, orange peel-textured, white ceiling.  This room is the only room with that kind of texture, and it’s only on the ceiling, but we just kept it that way after the bathroom remodel.  Maybe five years from now, we will have it retextured to match the rest of the house, but until then we will be the only ones who will know or notice.  I know we would like to have the garage retextured eventually, too, but let’s enjoy a break for now.

It was a long journey, but it was worth it.  All of the doors are sanded, lacquered, smooth, and shiny.  We have new white trim throughout the house.  All of the house now has the Santa Fe/skip trowel texture (except for the master bedroom’s ceiling), and they look exceptional.  We have new paint with a semi-gloss look for a bit of extra brightness, and the best part of it all is the...