Sprinkler Blowouts For Wednesday, October 8, 2025

It was a long one yesterday. Paisley came through surgery like a champ, and our vet couldn’t stop talking about her temperament. He said that even among other Bernese Mountain Dogs, our Paisley is one of the gentlest he’s ever met.

Sheila and I set up camp at the Garden Valley Public Library for four hours—just us, my laptop, and two additional screens—while Paisley was in surgery and recovery. You could say we took The Bat Cave on the road. Not quite as high-tech, but it got the job done.

Meanwhile, back in Sprinkler Blowout Land, things were about as smooth as an Idaho road. And if you have lived here any length of time, you know that’s saying something. Our state flower might as well be the orange caution cone. I already mentioned the guy who quit before even making it to his first job, but today really took the cake. Two more techs—friends, no less—decided to ghost us. No message, no call, nothing. Just vanished. I didn’t find out until hours later, after forty-one customers had been sitting around wondering where we were. If I’d known the night before, I wouldn’t have built their route at all.

To say I was angry would be an understatement. Let’s say the air in the mobile Bat Cave got a little spicy for a while. But hey, every season starts with a few bumps—and apparently, this one decided to launch with a full-blown crater.

This job isn’t for everyone. It’s long days, cold mornings, and enough air pressure to launch a lawn gnome into orbit—but those who stick it out earn every bit of respect they get. Of course, the season-end bonus and dinner at Tucanos give them a little incentive.

Now comes the fun part—finding three new people to step up to the plate. And we need them fast. It’s not exactly the kind of help-wanted ad you post with a smile, but the show must go on. If we can find a few reliable folks who aren’t scared of early mornings, cold air, and the constant hum of compressors, we’ll be back on track in no time.

We have another individual lined up who was scheduled to start yesterday at the beginning of the season, but needed to complete a few obligations first. He’ll be on board in the next few days, which should help alleviate some of the load.

Today, Joe and Ben will be handling damage control on the two routes left in the dust by Abel and Anthony. The good news is, those two work well together as a team, and I’m confident they’ll get things back on track. Here are their routes:

Ben with “The Grinch” in Boise 83705

South Pond Street
Nash Street
West Camas Street
Wood Acres Court
West Albion Street
West Rose Hill Street
Wood Acres Drive
South Owyhee Street
West Overland Road
South Tetonia Drive
South Latah Street
Dill Drive
Kerr Place
South Kerr Street
South Robert Street
Hisel Street
South Virginia Avenue
Malad Lane
West Lemhi Street
Columbus Circle

Joe With “Blowzilla” in Meridian 83642 And Boise 83704

West Sonoma Drive
Northwest 15th Street
Hanover Court
West Davenport Drive
South Abaco Way
South Weimaraner Way
East Shepherd Street
East Pine Avenue
South Arcaro Avenue
West Rifleman Court
North Jullion Avenue
North Mitchell Street
West Edna Street
West Landmark Court
North Linda Vista Lane
North Jeremy Avenue
Yaryan Drive
North Yonkers Lane
West Winchester Drive