I walked out to get the mail Tuesday afternoon and had a shoe sucked off my foot in the mud.

April 17, 2013 – Wednesday

20 degrees/clear/calm

Pentoga Road

After a hectic last few weeks, Tuesday saw my routines back to normal. With the sun shining in the afternoon, I had fun playing outside and began restoring the shed to one that will hold wood rather than boil maple sap.

I started the day by attempting to pour a cup of coffee into an upside-down mug and quickly discovered that doesn’t work. Sargie had washed the large cup the night before and set it on top of the coffee pot to dry. Not paying close attention, I splashed scalding coffee all over my hand, the kitchen counter, and down onto the floor. Someday I’ll learn.

The last of the evidence that hundreds of gallons of maple sap were boiled here.

I rode with Sargie partway to work and walked five miles home. It was a gorgeous day and after wearing boots the past several weeks and wading through snow, it felt as though I was skating, my feet barely touching the ground. I clicked off five miles in under an hour-and-a-half.

Once home, I started reading and grading papers for several hours and am happy to say that I’m caught up in both classes. With projects and papers due the next two weeks, I feel much more confident in my abilities to meet the onslaught of the end-of-the-semester rush.

It was a beautiful day and I returned outside. The area around the shed is still somewhat messy, but at least it’s looking better. Once the ground dries, I’ll rake the surrounding area and it should be good to go.

The wood shed is back to normal

I got my first squirrel of the year. He was on the boiler doing whatever it is that squirrels do. Knowing the chances of hitting him with the pellet gun were slim, I picked up part of a board lying in the woodshed and swung it, stunning him. He was quickly dispatched and I was happy knowing there would be one less squirrel attempting to make a nest (and a mess) in the barn or garage.

Sargie had to work late and it was simply too nice of a day to waste sitting inside. With three hours of daylight remaining, I once again strapped on my lightweight running shoes and put another five miles under my feet. It was one of those magical times when I felt I could have walked fifty more. For the first time this year, I could actually smell the coming of spring.

Sargie arrived home late in the evening so our time together was quite short. She opens today, but thankfully, is off tomorrow.

Speaking of the near future, I see that we’re under another winter weather advisory for rain and snow. I’m glad we had our day of spring… it appears beginning tonight, that’s all we’ll have for a while.

I’ll take my walk this morning then check in with my classes and see what new work has been submitted. After, it’ll be out to the barn in an attempt to put the maple equipment away. It looks to be a busy day. After all, a man’s work is never done.

So are the tales from Pentoga Road…