Vacation in Vallecito

Written on 7-5-25.

      I am in our Alto, and we are still up at Vallecito.  It’s quiet time now, and B left to go be on the river porch.  It was hot in here, and that’s the reason she left.  She is not feeling very well.  Now, however, the AC has kicked in and cooled the inside, and it has become very comfortable.  I am all alone.  Kody is hooked up outside, and he has learned it’s a super cool spot to be in the shade under the camper.  

It feels like a recovery day after lots of water sports and dealing with small people yesterday.  I came back with A, B, Casey, Ben, and Rowan after a little over an hour out on the lake.  The rest stayed and played for a few more hours.  They got home sometime after 2:00, and I cooked burgers, brats, and hot dogs on the grill for them.  They were very hungry when they got here.

Danielle just did a...

I Did It! Part 2

Written on 7-3-25.

Jordan, Herman's brother-in-law, turned 52.  Herman told me yesterday when we played again.  He looked older to me, but that is his age.

We are up at the Vallecito cabin for the 4th of July weekend.  James, Casey, Rowan, Eric, Amanda and I are here now, but the others are coming later tonight.  We have four dogs, but Penny is coming, too, so she will make five dogs here.  That’s a lot.

Back to golf…

Hole 10-We tied with bogeys.  My drive ended up on the upslope of the grass bunker on the right side, and I hit a really high approach because of that.  It ended short in the second bunker on the left side.  My third shot came up short again, but I was able to two-putt after that.  

Hole 11-We both got pars here.  My drive went the right side of the fairway, but I usually go left.  I even mentioned that to Herman.  I found the green from there, and I used two putts again for my par.  The hole was on the middle tier, and I putted from the lower one.

Hole 12-I pushed my approach out to the right side of this green.  I used my Sandy Andy again, because...

I Did It! Part 1

Written on 7-1-25.

      I’ve done it!  It took a while.  Okay, it took several years, but I am so glad to be able to write that I beat Herman (not his real name) straight up last Wednesday!

I played out of my mind, and I scored the best score for a long time, a 79.  Okay, it was really an 81 with a breakfast ball, but even with the 81 I was able to beat him by one stroke.  I made a lot of putts, and that really helped.  I remember him making putts from everywhere one round, but it was my turn this time.  I am going to write about this hole by hole, because it has been a goal of mine ever since I started playing with him.  I also scored a birdie!

Hole 1-Corrie (last name) drove up at the last minute to play with us.  He was on his lunch break from Hi-Country Kia, and he wanted to get in some golf.  He played only four holes, but it was great to see him again.

I pulled out a red Callaway ball I had found and cleaned up recently, and I promptly...

My 14th Birthday Post

Written on 6-28-25. 

        Today is my 14th birthday.  Once again, I have much to be thankful for, especially after receiving 14 gifts of extra years to live here on this magnificent earth.  I pray every night before I go to bed, and one of the prayers I say is, “Thank you, God, for bringing me to the end of another day.”  

        I think back on what happened that day, both bad and good, but mostly always good.  Then I nod off to sleep hoping God will grant me yet another day.  I started doing that after I had my stroke (six years ago this August), and it has continued since.  I can hear my dad saying, “You’re a mess, kid.”

Aren’t we all?  Everyone has some sort of health issue (or issues).  It’s a part of the human condition.  

As I reflect on this past year, as always, I have so much to be thankful for.  Mostly, my thoughts go to...

The Gift of Pain/Health

Written on 6-27-25.

     Rocky and Kelly just drove away from the cabin at Vallecito, and it’s quiet time now.  They stayed one night, and we all went out on the lake this morning.  It was beautiful.  The conditions were calm and sunny, a perfect summer morning on a mountain lake.  Eric let me drive his brand new, more powerful boat, and I got to bring it in to the dock, too.  Thankfully, the conditions were conducive, and I put it back in the slip with expertise.  I even amazed myself.   Soon, we will have our family here for the 4th of July.

On to golf…

I am working out with Matt (last name) again, and I have had two sessions already.  I asked for that as a gift for Father’s Day, and then I got two rounds of ten workouts accidentally.  Belinda had already gone down there to pay for the first ten sessions, and then I charged ten more.  The lady didn’t tell me B had already paid for the first ten, so I just kept them all.  She told me I had money left over from the previous time, too, so I am set for a long time.  It feels great to...