Herman Reunion

Written on 6-6-26.

        Our Mom and Dad’s wedding anniversary has come and gone.  It was June 1st.  They would have been married 63 years.  They got married in 1963.  Bev, Guy, and I acknowledged it in our Sibateers’ text thread.  Then John, Mom’s brother, texted us later that night.  That was thoughtful and sweet.  He said he was there when they got married, but we were not.  Such a kidder. 

B and I are camping in the most marvelous place today.  We have finally made it to Creede, CO, to visit Todd and Zoe and their quaint cabin.  We are off Miners’ Creek Road, and they have owned 10 acres with the creek that runs through them for 21 years.  I am sitting above the creek now in my camping chair.  Ah, life is sweet.

We took a hike for about an hour and a half this afternoon.  We trudged up Rat Creek Road, and we saw remnants of mines from years ago.  It took longer, because we would stop to hear the stories of their past hikes with Natasha and her friends.  They have owned the property for...

two decades, so many memories and stories have been accumulated.  It’s so beautiful here.  And, peaceful.  The sounds of the creek are coming to my ears in stereo where I am sitting.  I can hear the bubbling waters above and below me.

I just took the truck into Creede to buy some coffee for the trip home tomorrow.  I stopped by the theater where they are presenting The Spelling Bee, the play that we will be attending tonight.  This is the Creede Repertory Theater where Mom and Dad would see plays from time to time.  I am so looking forward to tonight knowing that Mom and Dad were there previously.

On to golf…

Finally, Herman (not his real name) and I got to play together.  I didn’t have work this past Tuesday, so I texted him to see if he he could, and so we did.  We planned to meet at 9:00 at Pinon Hills, but a ladies’ tournament was going on until 3:00, so we chose to go to Riverview.

I called ahead to get a tee time for 10:40.  He rode with me, but he forgot his wallet.  I had no problem paying for both of us.  He blamed me for him forgetting his wallet, because I chose to drive.  Welcome to the world of Herman.  

I wanted to use the front nine as a practice round.  I really have not played as much as I usually do by this time in the season, so I was rusty.  We started out with a bogey each, but our scores diverted from there in the usual way.  I struggled to get off the tee.

When we got to the back, I challenged him for a $6.00 beer.  He gave me zero strokes.  I did shoot a 41 on the front when I played with Guy, so I thought I would play better.  It did a little bit.  We both got pars on #10, but then our scores went in very different directions again.  He ended up at -2!  Seriously good shooting, Tex!  He got birdies on 15 and 17.  He had just played in a tournament in Page, AZ, where he said he struggled on the greens.  Not so here!  He made a ridiculous, long putt on #17 for his second birdie.  He earned his $6.00 beer, for sure, and I was glad to know he at least owed me money for the golf.  And, yes, of course that was his fault for forgetting his wallet.

We drove back, and he got his wallet and money.  We met at Chile’s again.  He paid for everything there, and I said we were even.  He showed me a video where Shandiin was interviewed for the PGA tournaments she helps run.  It was in Philadelphia.  She did a super job.  They continue to want her and give her more opportunities, so I am not sure if she will ever pursue dentistry.  Only time will tell.  

I have no plans to play again.  I think I have Wednesday off this coming week, but I feel I should practice before I offer to play with Herman again.  It was fun to see him, though, like it always is.

Until next time…