Part of Thursday was spent making trails through the maple woods in anticipation of tapping trees in the upcoming weeks.

February 22, 2013 – Friday

17 degrees/windy/cloudy

Pentoga Road

On radar, it appears the snow is almost upon us in this latest drive-by storm that’s pummeling the Midwest. We’re to receive just a few inches at most, nothing compared to areas to the south.

Oh well, we’ll do the same as the farmers in Maine when it snows… let ‘er snow.

Thumper-the-Rabbit crossed paths with a turkey sometime Wednesday while the barn door was open. I'm glad they feel they can come right in and make themselves at home.

Arg, I put a cup of cold coffee in the microwave earlier and thought the timer was set for two minutes. It dawned on me a minute ago that the oven was still running after almost ten minutes. When I checked, the coffee had boiled over and the cup was almost empty. Closer inspection revealed that someone must have come after me and set the timer to two hours, not two minutes. I'm certain it's the same person who makes the mess around the bathroom stool and occasionally hides my tools. I’ll clean and scrub the microwave after Sargie goes to work.

Wednesday was a repeat of Tuesday in the weather department. I rode with Sargie several miles down the road on her way to work and walked back home. The day started blustery, but by early afternoon, the sun was shining and the wind had subsided. I cleared the drive of snow, carried in wood, and spent the rest of the day catching up on paperwork and grading assignments.

I'm ready for spring and that means getting the Man Truck ready for another year of doing Man Stuff.

Sargie was home fairly early Wednesday evening so I made her favorite, garden omelets, for supper.

For now, all we can do is pretend they came from the garden.

Thursday began with the customary walk. Arriving back home by 9:30, I started the snowmobile and spent over an hour zooming through the maple woods breaking trails in preparation for tapping trees and making maple syrup.

I’d talked with Luke on Wednesday night and he was excited that maple season had arrived in New England and that he’d begin tapping a few trees on Thursday. Our conversation put me in the mood and I thought I’d begin preparations for this season’s sugaring here in the UP.

Josh sent this picture on Thursday. He doesn't have to worry about making a trail through his woods. He's tapping the maple trees alongside his drive.

 I may have exaggerated a bit when I said I zoomed through the woods. It was more like I chugged along trying to dodge the maple trees that insisted on jumping out in front of me. Only one tree was hit, but those pesky bushes and brambles that are more difficult to see, became my nemesis. I got stuck often. Tired and sweaty, I stepped into thigh-deep snow and waded away, post-holing my way back to the house after burying the machine up to the seat the last time. I’ll strap on the snowshoes today and shuffle to the furthest part of our property to free the old beast.

Though I was tired, it was simply too nice of a day to stay inside. I put on my heavies and headed to the lake for an afternoon of fishing.

There’s still a lot of water under the snow and it was hard work pulling the loaded sled a quarter mile to my fishing place. It was even harder to clear the snow and drill the holes through the two to three feet of ice.

For the first time this year, fishing was lousy. I finally caught a keeper bluegill and a small out-of-season bass. After two hours, I packed everything and waded back to the boat ramp. Between the morning’s walk, repeatedly getting stuck in the woods, and the difficult walk out onto the lake, I was all done in.

I knew Sargie would be cold and tired when she arrived home from Iron Mountain. I made a pot of chicken noodle soup with dumplings. That hit the spot for both of us.

It was almost a race to bed last night. I went on ahead saying I was going to read a bit while Sargie did whatever it is girls do before they come to bed. All I remember is climbing between the sheets and thinking how good they felt. I was sound asleep before Sargie joined me.

I’m going to tangle with the mechanic… again, today. After all the time he had the car, new tires, and hassle of last week, the car is once again shimmying. I’m so tired of playing this game. I’ll do what has to be done, then that will be it for any future business with him. Neighbor Mike gave me the name of a mechanic he likes in Crystal Falls. The next time, I’ll be going to him.

I guess I should get this uploaded, go wake Sargie so she can get ready for work, and get another cup of coffee. After all, a man’s work is never done.

So are the tales from Pentoga Road…

If that wild turkey keeps going inside my barn and making a mess, he might end up on the dinner table.