Yesterday's Excitement

The day started with my car covered in ash. Regrettably, Santa Cruz mountains are still having fires. The night before, the smoke has so much reached San Jose skies, that the evening was a burning yellow-orange-red one. It was very eerie.

Next, Karen and I went to Target to buy needed items for the new incoming refugees (toothpaste, toothbrush, soap, deodorant, address book, flashlight, San Jose street map, backpack, etc.). I really appreciated her company and her willingness to help out in this endeavor. The refugees, when they finally are brought to the US, are given nothing more than $400. This backpack is sort of a beginning survival kit for them. (In case you are wondering, Refugees are persons fleeing the chaos of war and persecution; they cannot return to their homelands. Most are women and children. All have lost family, jobs, homes and support systems. Refugees entering the US are persons who were individually selected by the US government for permanent resettlement here. Catholic Charities then welcomes and resettles them.)

After watching an adorable children's production of Alice in Wonderland with Karen, I went home to watch the US Open (golf, duh!) with my dad. It was quite the thrill. So much happened in the last 6 holes of the last two groups. Despite Tiger Woods being in incredible pain (he had knee surgery only two months earlier), he ended the round with 2 eagles and a birdie to put him in the lead. It was truly awesome to watch. The first eagle was a 65-foot putt that cause him to do a two fisted pump for joy. The birdie at the 17th was a spectacular bounce from a shot from the bunker into the hole that left him saying, "You've got to be kidding!" And at the final 18th hole, he made a 40-ft putt that put his score to 3 under par. Go Tiger, go! I have to wonder how he will do today because he was limping so bad at the end yesterday, and it was obvious that he was in extreme pain after his full swings. Maybe he'll dope up on drugs. Regardless, I am looking forward to watching the last round today.

Final word: HAPPY FATHER'S DAY, DAD!!!