Bert and Eileen Cyr, from Herman, Maine, sent this picture during the wrath of the latest East Coast blizzard. It pretty much tells the story.

February 10, 2013 – Sunday morning

20 degrees/cloudy/calm/winter weather advisory

Pentoga Road

I received emails and pictures from my sons and also, my good friends, Eileen and Bert Cyr, yesterday. Matt lives outside of Portsmouth, New Hamphire, Luke in North Waterboro, Maine, and the Cyrs live in Herman, Maine, just outside of Bangor. I’ll let the pictures do the talking. I also received a text from Josh who lives in Windham, New Hampshire, saying they received somewhere between two and three feet of snow. I know there are a lot of happy grandchildren in the Pennington Clan this weekend. If they’re anything like their daddies, all love to play in snow, especially deep snow with large drifts.

Luke clearing a path

Luke and Melinda's house after the Blizzard of '13

The Cyr's neighbors aren't going anywhere soon

Uncle Bert cleaning the drive 

Melinda's Subaru is in there somewhere 

Matt's four-foot above ground pool

Coleman

Abigail

More storm pictures below. Meanwhile...

Sargie had made mention that on her way to work Friday morning, the car had developed a shimmy when approaching fifty-five miles per hour. I replied that it was probably ice around the wheel wells, gotten into the struts or around the shocks, and it should dissipate after she took it through the car wash.

She reported after arriving home Friday night that the car still shimmied. I took it out for a drive. Sure enough, it did more than shimmy, it bounced from side to side.

I awaked early Saturday morning and after talking with a mechanic, was on the way to his shop before 7. We’d planned on leaving for Mom’s by six, if not earlier, and I was hoping he might be able to fix whatever was wrong and have us on our way. Meanwhile, Sargie was packed and waiting for my return home.

The tires were checked and he balanced the front ones saying they were out of round. I paid the man, hopped in the car, and shimmied my way home.

I called a front-end shop in Iron Mountain hoping that we might get in, have the car fixed, then continue to Indiana immediately afterwards. The owner said he was closing at 10:30 Saturday morning so he might attend the ski jumping championships. The only thing we knew for certain was that we’d not be driving to Mom’s.

Mother’s are sure gentle and understanding. I explained the problem and without hesitation, Mom said we were to stay home; that breaking down between here and there wasn’t an option. Saying we’d be along later in the week after the car is fixed, she mentioned something about meetings and activities already planned.

So in the end, Mom said she might fly up here in the spring and if not, we’ll try driving down. I’ll get the car in later this week for front-end work and I already have an appointment on Thursday for a sixty thousand mile general maintenance check. I want to get the timing checked and make sure it’s ready for the next sixty thousand miles. Meanwhile, we have the trusty old Blazer. It has a few aches and pains itself, but like the old war horse it is, just keeps plodding along. 

Sargie and I were sitting in the house feeling sorry for ourselves Saturday morning when Yooper Brother Mark called and asked if we might want to ride to Rhinelander, Wisconsin, with him and Sheri for a day of shopping. Sargie and shopping? Mark didn’t have to ask twice.

We had a wonderful time with our friends. It seems with Sargie’s work and all the activities everyone’s involved with, we seldom have time to simply talk, laugh, and get caught up. It was a great day spent in several stores. I purchased an insulated Packers hooded sweatshirt on clearance. Sargie found a top she liked. We also shopped at Menard’s Lumber to get ideas for a shower and vanity for the second floor bathroom. Now all we need is a stagecoach to rob.

Yooper Brother Mark and Sheri at WalMart

I fixed pike dip last night for supper. Making canned northern pike into a tuna fish-like spread, we enjoyed a light supper and later, played Rummy in front of the wood stove. My winning streak ended at one game as Sargie, once again, cleaned my clock.

We’re under a winter weather advisory until Monday noon for several inches of wet snow and even some freezing rain. I probably should go fishing as it’s in this type weather that the crappies love to bite. On the other hand, Sargie’s home and on vacation, the house is warm and cozy, and getting wet and cold simply doesn’t seem like a viable option.

Mommy got in on the action... as did Guiness, the black lab.

Luke and the kiddies

 So with that in mind, I’m going to get another cup of coffee, throw another log on the fire, and think some deep thoughts. After all, a man’s work is never done.

So are the tales from Pentoga Road…