January 28, 2013 – Monday morning

28 degrees/snow/calm winds

Pentoga Road

So where did all this snow come from? The last I heard, a winter weather advisory had been posted with the mention of a couple of inches of snow. Someone lied. Even in the dark, I can see there’s much more than that. Although I hate to see Sargie driving in it, we need the moisture and after all, it’s late January in the UP. After a two-day thaw, the forecast is for temperatures to dip into the -15 degree range once again. The snow will help to protect the plants and insulate the ground.

Look who's back. Elmo took up residence in the barn and is living in the scrap wood box. He spent an hour on Sunday afternoon perched on the work bench chirping away and followed me around the barn.

I want to take this opportunity to congratulate my oldest son, Josh, on his assignment to the United States Coast Guard Academy. A graduate from the Academy, and a Lt. Commander in the Coast Guard presently assigned in Boston, Josh will join the faculty and be teaching engineering courses. 

Like his younger brother, Luke, who is always one-upping his father in the outdoor world, Josh is doing the same in the teaching field... and I couldn't be prouder. 

The United States Coast Guard Academy is the only service institution where student entrance is based entirely upon merit. There are no congressional appointments or political favors involved. Less than 16% of the applicants are accepted and of those, 25% don't make it through their first year. Ranked among the best of the best academically, (alongside the most prestigious schools in the US) to graduate is a real accomplishment and an honor. To be on the faculty means you're at the top of your field. Congratulations, Lt. Commander Pennington. As usual, you've made Dad a very proud man. I love you son.

It was amazing how quiet the house became last evening after our two mini-visitors left. Sargie and I have often talked about how much fun energy two little girls can have. As I often say, the only thing our home lacks is youth. I have to think that having nieces and grandchildren visit occasionally will help to rectify that situation.

Aubrey woke up a different girl on Sunday morning. Evidently, the tooth that had been hurting her on Saturday must have finished poking through during the night. She awakened a happy, cheerful, bubbly, one-year-old. We laughed and played throughout the day and once again, she loved her Uncle Tom and rewarded me with giggles, laughs, and loves.

Marley was in her usual happy, talkative mood and the house was filled with sounds of happy children.

Auntie Sargie was the cook Sunday morning and made French toast and sausage. Aubrey ate her breakfast of cereal and baby goodies then stood at my chair as I shoveled much of the contents from my plate into her open mouth. Oh yeah, Aubrey was back in the house and things were as they should be.

I announced I was going outside to play. Sargie wanted to take a shower, the cartoons were going to cease on the television and Uncle Tom was dressing in his heavy clothes. Marley opted to remain inside and play a solitary game of cards. Aubrey was happy to be dressed in her playsuit and accompany me.

We tried riding snowmobile, but the loud engine noise made her afraid. Ah, but the four-wheeler. The continual soft chugging of the engine seemed to calm her fears. She whimpered as we went through the soft snow, but when we hit a rough section, Aubrey began to laugh and scream. The rougher, the better, and by the end, the hesitant little passenger had become a four-wheeling, motor-crazed, potential snow-bogging, crazy girl.

After delivering my ATV buddy back into the house, I worked in the shop and made a brace for the extension of the rack I’d earlier built onto the four-wheeler. It works well for the ice fishing equipment, but I’ve been wanted to strengthen it before maple syrup season arrives. I was finished in forty-five minutes and I’ll have six weeks to perfect the process.

Mommy and Daddy arrived by mid-afternoon. The girls were very happy to see both and we enjoyed pizza, ice cream, and cookies. What a wonderful family.

Sargie commented last night that it didn’t take long to un-childproof the house. Within minutes, other than Marley’s forgotten blankie, all vestiges of the mini-munchkins’ visit had vanished. The  well-traveled in and very torn spaceship/box was burned, the hastily-made protective gates were put away, the coffee table was brought back into the living room, and the untouchable knick knacks once again became touchable.

Last night was quiet, almost too quiet. We relaxed and watched television. I graded papers and threw an occasional log into the fire. With the snow falling, it was a nice way to end a wonderful weekend.

Sargie works today and isn’t off until next Sunday. It’ll be a long one for her.

Neighbor Mike called last night and said he was planning on being at his camp early this morning and wanted to go ice fishing. It’s normally a two hour-plus drive from Marquette and with the snowfall we received, I’m not sure when he’ll arrive. It makes no difference. I want to wait until Sargie leaves for work and make sure she’s off in good shape. Thank God I kept the Blazer after retiring. We don’t use it often, but when we do, it’s worth its weight in gold. Well, okay, maybe that’s an exaggeration, but during these snowy periods, it’s valuable.

No doubt I’ll end up on the lake sometime today. The drive will have to be cleared of snow and there’ll be a stack of electronic assignments to grade. A man’s work is never done.

So are the tales from Pentoga Road…