Sargie and I surrounded by her sons: l to r: Cale, Shea, and Macrea

November 23, 2012 – Black Friday

23 degrees/very windy/snow

Pentoga Road

Fall exited the UP somewhere around midnight and we awakened this morning to gusty winds and an inch of snow covering the ground. This appears to be a fine day for snuggling up to the wood stove, munching popcorn, and watching a good movie.

A fun Thanksgiving was spent with the Mighty Milligan Family. There were grandmas and grandpas, grandbabies, aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews, an old family friend or two, and anyone else who wanted to share in mega doses of love, laughter, and dining.

Niece Ashley and our newest addition, great-niece Brielle

After making the rounds giving out and receiving hugs and kisses, I planted myself in a much quieter part of the house, the front living room, and watched the Detroit Lions/Houston Thanksgiving football game.

Though the Packers weren't playing, I enjoyed the contest for what it was, the perfect excuse to watch my favorite sport surrounded by wonderful people.

As predicted, there was enough food to feed the starving third-world countries. Leftovers were given to any who wanted some and we departed with enough for lunch today.

I received calls from sons, Matt and Josh, as well as from my good buddy, Pat Sheahan, Thanksgiving afternoon. The weather was so warm that I sat outside and talked with all for well over an hour. Matt and Jessica were hosting Jessica's family for lunch. Josh and family were in Maine at Megan's parents's, and Pat was in Bakersfield, California, getting ready to take his green bean casserole to his sister-in-law's for a big family gathering. Luke and family are up in northern Maine at his mother's and Andy is out to sea in the Gulf of Mexico working on oil rigs.

Last night was spent lamenting how we’d eaten too much. I drowned my full-belly sorrows with a bowl of apple pie smothered in vanilla ice cream with cranberries over everything.

I request your thoughts and prayers for Yooper Brother Mark’s dad, Ed “Grandpa” Stauber. Grandpa’s in a bit of a pickle after having a tumor removed from a kidney. He lost a kidney several years ago to cancer. Mark and Sheri are out in Arizona with him after spending time with Sarah and Curtis in Wyoming, several hours away.

Today is promising to be a lazy one. Sargie’s off and we’re going to enjoy being on the inside looking out.

Tomorrow will be spent on next semester’s classes while Sargie works. I want to get the syllabi written before Christmas descends upon us too heavily. With low temperatures forecast, I can see where the possibility of going ice fishing might become a reality in the next few weeks. We’re both ready to resume our occasional meals of fried bluegill filets.

Time to throw another lawg on the fire and fetch a cup of coffee. A man’s work is never done.

So are the tales from Pentoga Road…