May 28, 2013 – Tuesday

51 degrees/partly cloudy/calm

Pentoga Road

It’s mating season in the world of the white-throated sparrow. There are several males whistling loudly close to the house this morning, each attempting to attract a mate. I’m not sure if any have scored with a female, but all certainly have my attention. Their song is like music in the North Woods this time of the year. It signals summer is near.

Memorial Day was a busy one. I wrote and uploaded the log then graded fourteen assignments. After, I moved to the garden and planted basil, cucumbers, pumpkins, Waltham Butternut squash, sunflowers, and pole beans. It seems as though I just got good and dirty when Sargie yelled out the window saying it was time to head to Milligan Mountain.

The beets are beginning to poke through the ground. It’s an exciting time of year if one likes gardening.

We had a good time with the Milligan Clan on Monday. After the initial hugs, kisses, and handshakes, I parked myself in the front room and played with niece Brielle. At eight months of age, she’s all eyes and personality and continues to steal everyone’s heart.

Five-year-old Marley wandered in and we talked for quite a bit. Marley and Aubrey will be with us next weekend and we always enjoy when they stay with us. It also gives Derek and Leah, their mom and dad, a rare chance to enjoy each other without worrying about the girls. Hopefully the weather will be nice so we can kayak around the shore of the local lake and roast marshmallows outside.

Brats, wieners, potato salad, chicken thighs, spaghetti, lemon fluff salad, tossed salad, baked beans, ice cream cones, and other goodies too numerous to mention, highlighted the Memorial Day meal. We arrived home with bellies that were way too full.

A stop was made at the Foster City cemetery where Sargie placed flowers on the graves of those relatives who have passed before. I really like the area that has been dedicated to veterans. Adorned with flags along a lengthy brick walk, it culminates in a beautiful memorial and wall. For a very small community, one that is officially listed in the ghost towns of America, Foster City pays honor to our fallen veterans in a fashion that far exceeds most large cities.

Marcrea and Mel left soon after we arrived home. They had an hour-and-a-half drive to Marquette and today’s a workday. I played fetch with Brutus for half an hour in an attempt to wear him out and Sargie and I watched television for the rest of the evening.

Speaking of Brutus; it must have finally sunk into his big ol’ bulldog head that he didn’t need to perform and act like a spoiled four-year-old child when we have company. He was his normal, loveable, self yesterday and is back in the will.

Sargie works early today and will have supper with Mr. Milligan at the VA Hospital this evening. The weather forecast has changed and the possibility of rain has diminished. I need to take the mower to the shop to be fixed and will hopefully spend the rest of the day planting in the garden.

Time to get Sargie up for the day and grab another cup of coffee. After all, a man’s work is never done.

So are the tales from Pentoga Road…

Trilliums