Sprinkler Blowouts For Wednesday, October 15, 2025

I mentioned in Tuesday’s post that it was a good day in Sprinkler Blowout Land on Monday — well, not so much for Tuesday.

I hired a new guy on Monday, and he showed up bright and early Tuesday morning, ready to roll. I had him follow me to Maverick to fuel up Purple Rain and then sent him on his way. About an hour later, I noticed there was no activity on his route, so I was about to call him when Sheila heard a “thump” under my office window.

We’ve got a mail slot under the office window that drops into our laundry room — that’s where the guys leave paperwork, daily funds, and the like. I went to check the box and found the new guy’s money bag and work phone inside. Sure enough, Purple Rain was parked back in our driveway. No explanation. No text. No call. Just gone. We just stood there looking at the bag and phone in stunned silence — shaking our heads like, “Did that really just happen?” Makes you wonder what’s going on in people’s heads these days. If brains were dynamite, some folks wouldn’t have enough to blow their nose.

And of course, the timing couldn’t have been worse. I had customers waiting, a tax appointment (where I got to pay money to be told I owe more money), and then had to rush Paisley back to the vet in Garden Valley because her incision from being spayed had started to open. She’s stapled up now and sporting the “cone of shame” for about a week. Poor girl’s not thrilled about her new fashion accessory — she looks like she’s trying to pick up satellite signals. 📡🐾

I’ve got another interview set up at 9 a.m. today. Let’s hope that if we hire this guy, he sticks. I’m really getting burned out on all this hiring — no-shows for interviews, no-shows for the job — it’s like people think “commitment” is a four-letter word. At this point, I half-expect to conduct my next interview with a cardboard cutout. At least that one won’t ghost me. 😆

Joe will be working in the 83642 today, cleaning up the blowouts that Ryan ghosted. I’ve seen people flake before, but this one vanished faster than free donuts at a staff meeting. So now Joe and Ben are covering the fallout and keeping things on track like the pros they are. Honestly, if I could clone those two, I would — though at this point, I’d settle for AI robots that can drive, run compressors, and not quit before lunch.

Here are the routes for today:

Joe With “Blowzilla” In Meridian 83642

West Balance Rock Drive
South Sunset Point Way
West Snow Canyon Street
Verbena Drive
South Flintstone Avenue
West Bayeux Drive
West Gander Street
Joshua Street
West Loon Street
West Egret Drive
South Moonstone Way
West Waltman Lane

Ben With “Leroy” in Boise 83703

North Shirley Avenue
West Plum Street
Woody Drive
North 36th Street
West Bellomy Lane
West Edgemoor Road
North 29th Street
North 34th Street
West Dewey Street
North Riviera Drive
West Wylie Lane
West Bloom Street
West Redbridge Drive
North Point Place
West Hill Road
West Gate House Court
North Citadel Way
North Collister Drive
North Arrow Crest Way
West Lassen Drive