September 1

 Hi again! Summer is almost over, you can really feel the change of temperature and the daylight is growing shorter. Another eventful 6 months here in Spokane. Started off with a plan, less time golfing more time working on my game. That didn’t go the way I wanted. While helping Jake purchase and move his new tv into his home I tore my distal bicep tendon which eventually required surgery. Not only no golf but it forced us to cancel our vacation to Banff and to Winnipeg. It was suppose to be my gift to Chris for her birthday! Cancelling all our reservations was a real pain and of course I had to cancel my golf lessons.

But it wasn’t all bad, we are having a great time watching Grace play softball, she has worked hard to become one of her teams best players. in fact she has just tried out for and made a 12yr old select team! Despite her busy schedule, we still get our Friday nights together, we play cards or Farkle and make dinner for her, we both really look forward to our special one on one time with her!

With Riley being gone, no boat to tow and taking less and less stuff down south,  we have been talking about downsizing from the truck. I enjoyed the process of looking for my next car. I decided on a Jeep Grand Cherokee. Jeep came out with an updated grand Cherokee this year and a few new colors. Of course I fell in love with the absolute hardest color combination to find. But after an exhausting search I found the color combo I wanted in Sunnyside. We weren’t necessarily looking for the top of the line but as it worked out, I felt like I got the best deal and the highest trade-in from this dealership, so we went for it. I really like it

Chris and I are working on shedding a few pounds we are both on GLP-1. I started just as we were leaving Borrego in the spring and Chris started along with Jake this summer. It has worked well for both of us (and Jake), we plan to continue. We have both reached weights we haven’t seen in years and we hope to keep it going here and in Borrego.

I really enjoy the changing of the seasons, it’s been quite hot here and now the evenings and mornings are cool. I’ve already made our reservations for our hotel stays for the trip back to Borrego. It’ll be good to get back down there to see our friends, play golf (I hope), and see Ben and Matt again.

On my last post I mentioned the boys selling their Mesquite street home in Palm Springs. They moved into a very cool neighborhood littered with old movie stars homes. Ben decided to stop his job search and instead has opened up his own business, a flower shop! I wish I had access to all my photos to include his new logo, it’s quite cool and he is off to a great start and it’s far from the busy season down in Palm Springs. And just a couple of days ago, he called with news that they bought another home in Palm Springs, it looks nice and is kind of a blank canvas for Ben to do his magic.

I’m still having some fallout from the PE last December. When we came back up to Spokane, we found out we had to find doctors all over again because of insurance. It’s a royal pain and I’m not sure I’m going to see a cardiologist or pulmonologist before we head back down south. As of this post I think I’ll be trying to establish medical help in the Palm Springs area, it’s just so much easier to find good quality care down there. More on that later.

That’s about it for now, Chris heads out on another trip on Saturday, this time to Amsterdam, Brussels and Luxembourg. When she returns it’ll be time to prep our Spokane home for winter, toss the plants, turn off the fountain, store the pump, put away hoses and outdoor furniture and get ready for our next season in Borrego, at least our 12th or 13th winter there.

January, 2026

 Happy New Year! 🥳

Greetings from Borrego! It’s been about 7 months since my last post. Looking back it seems like all I’ve done is go from one hospital to the next. This fall, after a nerve study, I had 4 more surgeries on my hands, wrists and elbow. Everything went well and I hope those nerve issues are all behind me. Counting the trigger finger surgery the fall of 2024, I’ve had 5 procedures, 2 trigger finger release surgeries, two carpal tunnel surgeries and a cupital (elbow) surgery. Things feel good, I went back to playing golf in Spokane before leaving for Borrego in October. 

We had a nice trip back down to Borrego, we have decided to wall in our screen porch, making a craft room for Chris. As I write this, construction is underway. A local carpenter was recommended and he’s doing a nice job. You learn to be patient here, we’ve been under construction now for nearly a month and there is still plenty to do. 

Back to my hospital stories, right after spending Thanksgiving with the boys, I started experiencing shortness of breath. It went on for about three weeks, not feeling right, overly sweaty and tired after golf. After a round, I bent down to change out of my golf shoes and wham! The world started spinning, I felt awful and I headed for home. All other shortness of breath episodes ended when I could sit down and relax. This time was different, I couldn’t recover. I had a friend (retired nurse) take my blood pressure and she recommended I go get checked out. Tried to take Murph for a walk the next morning and I almost didn’t make it back.

We went into Palm Springs, Eisenhower Urgency Care, after their evaluation, they immediately loaded me in an ambulance and took me to Desert Regional Medical Center. After another battery of tests, it was determined that I had a pulmonary embolism, a very serious condition, a blood clot from my right leg had worked its way into my lung and I had surgery to extract the blood clot. I was released after a 4 day stay and now I’m taking antibiotics and blood thinners to treat the clots still in my leg. I feel good and blessed that we went in when we did. Otherwise I might not be writing this post!

To catch up on other family happenings…The boys sold their Mesquite house and have moved into a wonderful new place in downtown Palm Springs. An older but larger home nestled in one of the finest communities in old Palm Springs, of course, Ben is busy updating and improving both the inside and outside of the home.

Jake and Em bought a new car and now Grace is riding in style. It was time, Em’s old car had its engine quit and even though they got a new engine on warranty, the rest of the car was still in rough shape. Jake’s been looking after our Spokane house, he likes using the hot tub and I like the fact that it looks like someone is there.

This is a big weekend for the Seahawks, surprisingly they have had an excellent year under a new coach and Sunday will play for the right to go to their 3rd Super Bowl! After an amazing Mariner season where they were just a few outs from making it to their first World Series. Pretty good sports year!! It’s now the middle of April, we are getting ready to go back to Spokane. An update from where I started this posting, the Seahawks WON the Super Bowl - Amazing!

Christals new sewing room is now complete, she really likes it. We’ve had an unusually hot start to spring down here, weeks of 100 + degree weather. It gets really hot in the new room so Chris hasn’t been able to use it as much as she would like. We might look into a portable air conditioner in the fall when we return.

I had trouble downloading photos. Need to complete this post. We are back in Spokane. Nice to be back, it’s not been a month yet but we’ve made good progress getting the yard and our planters ready for the spring. We’ve already been to three softball games and a volleyball game, how fun and Grace is really excelling. I just finished planning and making reservations for our July trip to Banff and Winnipeg, looking forward to that. I’ll cover that experience in my next post. 

Spring 2025

 Just got back from our three day trip from Borrego to Spokane. Our new home here still feels new, probably because we are only here for 6 months. It’s been quite a whirlwind from the summer of 23 till now. Selling our dream home, moving to Spokane, losing my sister, losing Riley, selling our 184 home in Borrego and buying our 254 home there. It’s been fun, it’s been stressful, definitely some tears shed but not for one second do I not feel blessed. 

We had a good winter, we have made so many good friends in Borrego, we stay plenty busy between golf and social activities. With all the changes, we didn’t get out much at all with our e-bikes. I hope that’ll change this coming season. I think we have the 254 house just about the way we like, some painting to be done, maybe some landscaping, that will be it. Looking forward to a less hectic summer here in Spokane and back in Borrego.

We got back just in time to see Grace play a softball game. The family is good, both Jake and Trav work for US Foods. Trav works inside the production plant and Jake is in training to be an outside sales rep here in Spokane. Not sure that is in his best interest, I feel he is at his best when he’s challenged and there’s more direct supervision. I’m sure he’ll prove me wrong.  Grace is great, she’s now 10 and will turn 11 this summer. I was delighted to have her ask me if our Friday night “date night” is still on. Nana and I get Grace on Friday nights, allowing Jake an Em some quality time together. We play games, make her favorite meals, take a hot tub or two, light a fire in the fire pit and makes s’mores and watch movies. It’s everything we moved over here for, I’m glad we get another summer of her company.

Now back in Spokane we are settled in. I’ve planted many new perennials this spring. In general, the yard is pretty easy to maintain and I enjoy tweaking the variety of plants. Many of the plants won’t contribute to the backyard landscape until next spring.

It’s been a different start to our summer. No golf for me as my hands and left arm continue to give me problems. I just got back from the doctors office this morning. I’m lined up to have carpal tunnel surgery on my left wrist and also have surgery on my ulnar nerve at the elbow. After that we’ll shift over to the right hand for CPT surgery and trigger finger release. I’ll be a mess for probably 6 or 7 weeks but I hope this eliminates my issues and allows me to gain my strength back in my left hand.

Grace has kept us busy following all her activities. We have one more softball game on Wednesday, we watched a spring choir and orchestra concerts at school. Nana and I get her every Friday night to give Em a brake and to give us very valuable one on one time with Grace, such a delight. Tomorrow is her 11th birthday, we’ve been invited to the birthday dinner, we are taking her to get her nails done Friday, she has a sleepover with her buddies Saturday night. Well let her choose but we’ll also take her out Friday for dinner. It’s either Red Robbin or Varcotto’s (Mexican). 

To add on, it’s now August and I’m starting to play golf again. I’m starting PT today, trying to restore some strength on my left side. Grace is about to finish up her second softball season this summer, it’s been so much fun to watch her.  If I haven’t complained about it enough, it’s really hot here in Spokane. The 10 degrees difference between the east side of the state and the west side mean average temperatures in the 90’s.

Chris is beginning to prepare for her overseas trip in September, I’m in better spirits because the Mariners are winning and it’s now football season, my favorite time of the year. In another month I’ll start getting ready to head back down to Borrego, we’ll plan to be there no later than Halloween, it’s just so much fun to see the joy & happiness of the kids who go full costume and many times mom & dad do too.

 Our winter in Borrego

Our normal relaxed Borrego winter was filled with change. We got here as planned on the day before Halloween. Halloween here in the Roadrunner club is special. It’s all about the kids who come by the truckloads to parade around our streets. We got the new golf cart down here in one piece and Chris really likes it. We play golf about 3 times a week, I hit the spa 3 or 4 times a week and our weather has been exceptional.

We have lived in our place about 9 years and it’s quite comfy, our yard and our setting is very nice. We began to explore looking for another golf course location with more room, updated baths, etc. We didn’t look very hard, we were shown a couple of places but nothing really caught our eye. Prices here have really increased but when the realtor told us what our home would probably sell for, it opened our eyes to some real opportunities.

 We knew a couple that purchased a home and completely remodeled it just a couple of years ago. Unfortunately, health issues were going to force them to sell, they needed better medical services and they wanted to be close to their kids. Having this insider information, we were able to view the home. They did such a nice job remodeling, sparing no expense. New furnishings, window covers, flooring, paint both inside and out. They gutted the kitchen and master bath and put in beautiful new appliances, countertops, cabinets. It was a very unique opportunity and we made the decision to make an offer. Our neighbors were the contact people for the owners and through them we managed to put together a sales and purchase agreement that was accepted! 

Of course that meant we had to sell our place. We decided to for go the realtor and put a for sale by owner sign out front and in the back along with a sales flyer we created.  It took about 4 or 5 weeks with plenty of showings but we did it. Managed to get close to asking price, we should close on our 184 house this week!

We are very happy with the new place, we love the house and all the upgrades, we even like the backyard and the orientation of home on the golf course with the mountains as a backdrop. I’ve got the shed almost done and Chris has the master walk-in closet to paint. For the difference we paid to buy 254 vs what we sold 184 for, we thrilled with the value.

 Leaving for Borrego!

Summer is over and we are days away from heading south once again to Borrego. It’s been a busy summer highlighted by our trip to England, Scotland and Ireland. I was very nervous about the travel but it really wasn’t that bad, a little taxing getting over there compounded by some miscommunication from Go-Ahead but all in all the travel was fine. We had a wonderful trip, saw some beautiful country. We started in London, made our way to Edinburgh, Scotland then two stops in Ireland. While the group was exploring the Edinburgh castle, I took advantage of my proximity to St Andrew’s and spent a once in a lifetime day on the old course and in the world famous pubs surrounding the golf course. 

I could fill 20 pages with pictures from the trip but I’ll stop here.

Back from the trip we finished our summer enjoying a very warm temperatures. Grace was back at it playing softball and her team was quite good. I had promised Chris a new golf cart once we got back to Borrego but we ran into a good deal locally and decided to buy one here. We’re going to trailer it down to Borrego, probably the 4th time I’ve towed something down there. 

Murphy enjoyed the new backyard, perfect hangout for a lazy lab. He did have to patrol the back to make sure there weren’t squirrels or bunnies on the property. Most of the time he was as the photo shows, taking it easy 

Chris did a lot of work inside the house, patching holes and painting. I did some trimming outside. I’ve got a couple more ideas for next summer.

Travis changed jobs and so did Jacob, they both went to work for US Foods, Trav works in their warehouse and Jacob is in training for an outside sales position. Both seem happy with the change.

That’s about it for now, I’m sure I forgot to include something so I won’t close this post for a bit. Looking forward to getting back to Borrego!

 July 7th

Hello from Spokane! Chris and I are settled into our new home, our new neighborhood and our new city. In a large way, it doesn’t feel like home yet. My guess is when we return from Borrego next spring, I’ll be more comfortable calling Spokane home. We’ve been busy, I’ve been working in the yard and getting the garage organized to my liking. Chris has been doing the same inside the house. It’ll never feel like our Hoodsport home but it doesn’t have to. The home is comfortable, I’m very happy to have turned the upstairs into Christal’s “girl cave”. Chris has been sewing and enjoying the mornings and early afternoons upstairs. It gets warm up there, especially in the summer. It was quite a job to disassemble her ikea sewing tables in the garage then put ‘em back together upstairs but we got it done.

The yard is easy to mow, the beds have very little weeds, it’s nice to have a nice looking yard. I’ve spent a lot of time in the back, getting things the way I want. Cut down some tree’s and replaced the spots with a Japanese lace maple and a contorted filbert, a little touch of our Hoodsport home. 

My neighbor across the street has been kind enough to include me in his golfing group. They all went to school together in Coulee and made their way over here. It’s not the same as Lake Cushman or Borrego golf but it’s nice to get out. I try to get out at least once a week. The courses here are longer, I’ve struggled a bit but of late I’m starting to play better.

There has been at least two real pluses moving here, one was expected, one was a surprise. We have spent quite a bit of time centered around Grace. We just finished a softball season, watched her perform in a school concert, right before graduating from the 4th grade. We also had fun at her birthday party at a trampoline center. We have also had extra time to spend with Travis and Anne. Travis just changed jobs which he’s very excited about. He has been very helpful, willing to move some heavy things around here. It’s been fun to reconnect. I’m starting to do that with Jacob also. We have worked on a couple projects at his house, he is really making an effort to pay more attention to his home, surroundings and family. Even he would admit, he’s a work in progress. I’m glad we are close buy to help whenever they need us to. We’ve been watching Grace on Friday evenings so Jake and Em can have some one-on-one time with each other. The other plus is just how convenient everything is from this house. Lowe’s, Freddie’s, Ace Hardware, Safeway, Starbucks, doctor offices, restaurants and of course our kids. Didn’t know I would enjoy that as much as I do. We’re use to 45 min to Olympia or 1 1/2 hrs to Palm Springs, it’s been nice.

Chris and I are getting ready for our big trip overseas. England, Ireland and Scotland. I’m sure Chris doesn’t know or care but we will be in Ireland during the Open Championship! I don’t have have any golf planned, too much hassle to try and pull that off with a tour group. I’m just hoping the travel back and forth won’t cause me too much discomfort. I’m sure it’ll be fun once we are on the ground.

Murphy has adjust well over here, we have a nice little lake here with about a 1 3/4 hiking trail around it. Em, Grace an Jake were coming over to do the walk and they were taking Murphy. It’s gotten warm, they haven’t been over for the walk so it’s me and Murph doing our best to get around the lake. There is a little waterfall that has a small pond attached that Murphy loves to plop into. 

 Well, that’s about it for now. I’ll try another posting from Borrego where I’ll talk about our trip.

April 2024

 Hello once again,

Entering our last week in Borrego. Chris and I are excited to start our new adventure at our new home in Spokane. We have had a good winter, weather was good, not great. We got quite a bit accomplished, we opened up the sunroom side of the yard so that Chris can drive her golf cart out the front. That will really come in handy when we come back this fall, the green belt and golf course will be closed and having access out the front will be a blessing.

We also decided to get our place painted, it’s been 8 years since we purchased and had the home painted. Changed the color, I really like it.

Had a mild fender bender down here. Young man, no insurance, no license, rear ended me at the traffic light in Mecca. He paid cash for our repairs and our rental. Seems like everything is fine with the truck.

We met Jacob, Em and Grace for three nights at Disneyland. We had a blast. We went to Disneyland (Anaheim) first then Universal Studios (Hollywood) the next day. Pretty proud of myself for doing all the rides, didn’t get too tired but I was glad when each day was finished. 

 We spent our last night in Palm Springs with Ben and Matt. Their place made for a perfect layover. 

Our golf season is also winding down. I ran the Coyotes again, we had consistently large groups of 30+ guys each week. It’s a great group and I have developed some very good friendships there. 

We have a new neighbor here in the roadrunner, Merle and Donna bought a place here about 10 houses down from us. They’ve already done a lot to their place. I think their plan for the fall is to leave the coach at home, drive the truck down so that Merle can bring some tools from home. Donna seems very excited, Merle is starting to warm up to the idea.

I think that’s enough of an update, I’ll submit another post in late July or early August about our first summer in Spokane and our trip to Ireland!