Wildflowers completely border the far side of the garden

June 30, 2013 – Sunday

46 degrees/clear/calm

Pentoga Road

I walk out on the back deck this morning and my mind turns to hiking. It seems as though I should be out in the boondocks somewhere, climbing from my sleeping bag and exiting the hammock, shivering slightly while I pull a light-weight wool fleece over my head.

I love early mornings on the trail, those that are clear and chilly. Each movement, regardless how minute, makes a sound that seems to echo through the woods. Squirrels and chipmunks that foraged through the area during the night magically disappear as the melodies of nearby songbirds announce the arrival of a new day.

The smell. An odor of last night’s hastily cooked meal and campfire couples with the smells of silicone waterproofing, a sleeping bag that could use a good washing, and pine needles.

Maps are reviewed in the early morning hours while water heats for the first (and only) cup of coffee. I try to calculate what elevations will be navigated in the coming hours, what opportunities there will be to collect water, and where I hope to be by day’s end.

The instant oatmeal, made from the excess coffee water, and peanut butter smeared on a soft tortilla shell go down easily. I finish off the high carbohydrate breakfast with a bite-size Snicker’s bar left over from Halloween. A long pull of water proceeds swinging the ultra lightweight pack onto my shoulders. I hastily look around the campsite, making sure it’s clean and that I’ve not forgotten anything. Looking forward, I take the first step of the day…

Saturday was a lazy one on Pentoga Road. I finished wiring the boat trailer and even succeeded in securing a light over the license plate. For the first time in twenty years, I own a boat trailer that’s legal. How long the lights actually work remains to be seen, but at least for now, I’m walking on the right side of the law.

Sargie had seen some sandals she’s been wanting in a sale bill from Kohls. I had several things I needed in town. With that being said, I suggested we make a trip to Rhinelander. She got her sandals, normally costing thousands, if not millions, of dollars for a mere $13 while I purchased what I needed (and way too much I really didn’t need) at Menards Lumber. We enjoyed burgers and fries while Sargie drove us home. It was a fun afternoon.

There are rows and rows of unsold flowers and bushes at Menards. There should be some good bargains to be found when they go on sale.

We spent most of last evening working outside. Sargie had several chores she was doing while I worked in the garden and around the yard. Brutus entertained himself by throwing a stick up in the air, catching it as it fell to earth, and then running around the yard in a mean, bulldog, fashion.

What’s on the agenda for today? I think we’ll try to go fishing. Certainly the weather is favorable for the gathering of meat for the table. I’ll, no doubt, work in the barn, Sargie will do her thing in and out of the house, and the dog… well, he’ll do what dogs do.

Time to head to the garden and see how much everything grew overnight. After all, a man’s work is never done.

So are the tales from Pentoga Road…

 

It's strawberry time!

 June 29, 2013 – Saturday

59 degrees/rainy/breezy

Pentoga Road

The rain gauge is showing another .2 of an inch of moisture received overnight. I’m not sure what that brings the weekly total to, but it has to be somewhere between three and four inches. The long term forecast is calling for a coming week filled with sunny skies, low humidity, and temperatures in the low 70’s. Perfect.

Friday was a catchall day. I attempted to sneak to one of my favorite lakes for an hour or two of fishing, but wasn’t out of town before the local constable had me pulled over saying the lights on the boat trailer weren’t connected. Stupid me. I’d been working on them the night before and had wires dragging on the ground. I’d failed to tie them up so it was very obvious the trailer lights weren’t and couldn’t work. I thanked him for the courtesy stop, drove around the block and came back home.

I went to Iron River for some small things I needed to mount the new lights onto the boat trailer. The rest of the day was spent planning, welding brackets, running wire, and installing the new lights. I ran into a few snags, but quickly discovered that if I read the diagram that came with the lights, progress was made much more quickly.

Every boat trailer I’ve ever been associated with has eventually suffered from having the lights repeatedly submerged under water; even those that are supposedly waterproof. I decided to mount the newest set high on the guide bars that were installed last year. Hopefully they’ll work for a season or two.

We met Mark, Sheri, and Sarah, last night at Mr. T’s and enjoyed a good meal and better company. Sargie had deep fried fish. I decided to take a walk on the wild side of life and devour a super nacho platter.

I’ve not had more than an hour or two of uninterrupted sleep for the past six weeks. Before going to bed, I took a Tylenol PM, promptly feel asleep at 10, woke once during the night, then fell immediately back asleep until 8 this morning. Amazing what a good night’s sleep will do for one’s energy level and personality. I feel like a new man!

I’m not sure what’s on the agenda for today. The strawberries are coming on strong. We’ve talked about going fishing, but it’s a bit breezy. Tomorrow’s forecast looks better. Other than that, Sargie said she’d run the Ford tractor and help me bring in the lumber that’s been covered in the yard before the barn was paved. I’m getting anxious to close that chapter until I build the shop in later this summer.

The yard needs mowing… again, but I need to get gas. So much to do, so little of me. But then, you know, a man’s work is never done.

So are the tales from Pentoga Road…

The pole bean trellis was woven on Thursday

June 28, 2013 – Friday

60 degrees/rainy/calm

Pentoga Road

I believe we’ve had more rain in the past 36 hours than we received in total last summer. Okay, that’s an exaggeration, but we’re under the right clouds. I’m certain we received an inch or more yesterday afternoon and last night. I’m tickled to see it and no doubt, we’ll wish we had some in July and August, the typical dry months.

Thursday morning was spent in the garden. The trellis was woven for the bush beans as several of the plants are already sending out runners. I also fertilized the peppers, did a bit of weeding, but mostly, I simply piddled around.

I often wonder what I do in the garden? It seems time flies and the memory is a blur. Yesterday, donning the magnifiers, I went through the potatoes, plucked and squashed potato beetles from the leaves. I did the same with the eggplant. Once the rain is through, I’ll sprinkle them with insecticide, something I hate to do, but if that’s not done, there’ll be no greenery left.

Though the temperature was in the upper 70's, the humidity was hitting at 100% all day. 

Sargie had mentioned something about mowing along the edge of the road in front. I accomplished that in short order, mowed on the other side of the drive and noted that the yard will have to be shorn in another day or two. With all the rain and warm weather, it’s growing noticeably each day.

Brutus went into the woods and returned looking more like a pig than the dog he’s supposed to be. He didn’t seem to mind being hosed down and decided to turn it into a game. Initially, I was ready to kill the pooch, but in the end, laughed and simply shook my head. For an animal that was once a city dog, he’s turning into a real wood’s hound.

I spent the rest of the afternoon working on the Blazer and trailer’s taillights. They’ve not worked since I purchased the boat and trailer a year ago and know I’ve been living on borrowed time. All it would take is a policeman to pull up behind me and see that they aren’t connected.

I’m happy to say that the wiring is complete on the Blazer and it actually works. The blacktop was wonderful to lie on in the barn and for the first time, I didn’t have to brush mud and dirt from my backside. I’ll work on the trailer lights today. The wiring is complete and I’ve got a new set  of lights to install above the water line on the guides in the back.

I traveled to Iron Mountain late in the afternoon so I could ride home with Sargie and keep her company. While in the big city, she treated us to a Chinese dinner. I postponed the diet until today. Mama didn’t have no complete dummy.

Sargie is marking a lens placement for a coworker

I talked with Aunt Sue and Uncle Terry last night via Skype. They’d just received their Hennessey Hammocks and are anxious to try them out. Unfortunately, due to previous commitments and the possibility of company, it could be several days before either will be comfortably swinging between two trees. We talked that our mutual friends, Max and Bonnie, are back in Sitka for a year. I envy them and wonder who will drop off fresh fish fillets at their door? I used to like calling them from the boat as I was motoring to the harbor. It was a great excuse to see my friends.

Progress on the knee went into reverse and it hurt and ached most of Thursday. Couple that with the stitches beginning to pull and itch and it wasn’t pleasant. I kept active to keep my mind busy elsewhere but was awake often during the night trying to get comfortable. Naturally, I fell asleep about an hour before the alarm was due to sound this morning and awakened wishing I could slumber longer. Someone wrote and told me that the third day after surgery is usually the worst. It was for me.

Opening today, Sargie is free from the Vision Center on Saturday and Sunday. We’ve talked about going fishing and no doubt, there’ll be other projects happening on Pentoga Road. After all, a man’s work is never done.

So are the tales from Pentoga Road…

With special fertilizer and frequent watering, the giant pumpkin plants are growing in leaps and bounds.

June 27, 2013 – Thursday

64 degrees/partly cloudy/hazy/humid

Pentoga Road

… and the heavens opened Wednesday afternoon and down poured the rain; almost two inches falling in an hour-and-a-half. More is predicted before a cold front marches through later today, clears the air, and lowers the temperatures by twenty degrees.

I’ve decided to keep my knee and not sell it on Ebay. Though still swollen, the pain has subsided and it has become much looser and seemingly stronger. Right now, the other muscles in both legs are bothering me. I’ve been hobbling for so long that they are not-so-subtly telling me they are weak and out of shape. I’m taking it easy, but it feels good to become somewhat mobile once again. Thoughts of a week-long fall hike on the Appalachian Trail with my son Luke are beginning to creep into my head.

I caught up on grading in the summer term class I’m teaching. I wish I could carry this group of students right into the fall semester. All are professionals, many experienced teachers, and each knows how to play the game. Rather than question every assignment, whine if one seems more challenging than they believe it should be, or submit excuses why assignments are late, each does what has to be done and moves on. I’m going to hate to see them matriculate from ALST 300 in August!

Two hours were spent weeding in the garden on Wednesday. In fact, it was the heat and humidity that finally ran me into the house, not my knee. With the warm weather and moisture, everything is finally beginning to grow in leaps and bounds. I’m feeling better about my chances for some measure of horticultural success this summer.

Carrots, basil, radishes and two giant pumpkin plants

The strawberries are coming on and I picked the first bowl yesterday afternoon. All are cleaned and sugared and will be ladled over cereal or eaten by themselves in the next day or two. Those I pick today and for the remainder of the season will be frozen for this coming winter along with being eaten fresh.

Well, its official. As of 6 AM this morning, the diet has started. Aunt Joanne called the pounds I’ve accumulated in the past six weeks, “boredom weight.” I haven’t stepped on the scale yet, but will tonight. I’m fairly certain there are about ten extra pounds calling my body home that shouldn’t be there. It’s time they go.

Sargie goes in early this morning. I’m not sure what’s on my agenda. I need to restring the teepee-like trellis for the pole beans. The giant pumpkins need another shot of fertilizer and the blueberries and pumpkins housed in pots need to be weeded and fertilized. The turnips ought to be thinned and there are radishes about ready to harvest. Then there’s the shop. Only about half is put away.

So much to do, so little me. But, I’m not surprised. Why? Because a man’s work is never done.

So are the tales from Pentoga Road…

Life in the fast lane...

June 26, 2013 – Wednesday

67 degrees/clear/calm

Pentoga Road

Happy Birthday goes out to Mom. At 86 years of age, Mom is a model superstar of senior citizenry. Ever ready to head out the door in the name of active living, Mom always has her car keys in hand and along with her best friends, Phyllis and Rachael, zooms all over Terre Haute, Indiana, shopping, attending various activities, going to church, or enjoying a meal.

Mom lives in a very nice senior high rise and is quite active in her community. She’s Chair of the Leisure Time Committee, is head of the Decorating Committee for her floor’s lobby, collects and counts the church offerings, checks in library books when they arrive from the county facility, and honestly, who knows what other activities Mom has her fingers in? She’s a shaker and mover and anyone who wants to hang out with Mom better strap on their athletic shoes and be in good shape.

Oh, people ask where I get my energy to hike and walk? Until a heart attack last year, Mom still hoofed two miles daily. Since, she’s cut down a bit, but still walks daily and can otherwise be found in the exercise room working on the Elliptical machine.

Happy Birthday, Mama. We love you!!

Speaking of being in shape, I was in miserable condition on Tuesday. The knee was swollen, red, hurt, stiff, and if someone would have given me a knife and a piece of leather to chew on, I’d have considered freeing it from the rest of my body.

I’m seldom sick, hardly ever hurt, and have always had the tendency to secretly scoff at those who were any less than 100%. I’ve heard that God has a way of teaching us lessons, making us humble…

Boy, have I become humble during the past five weeks with this knee.  I think I assumed that I was some sort of super human, that injuries happened to others but never to me, and if something unforeseen should occur, I’d bounce back as though it never happened.

So, I’m learning a lesson on humility. At age sixty-one, I guess one can say better late than never. The knee should heal and hopefully, I’ll be a bit more humble in the future.

We took Brutus to the veterinarian on Tuesday. He developed a bump on his inner groin that had become the size of a golf ball on steroids. I fretted and worried, both about his health and the cost. In the end, it was fluid caused by an injury of some sort. He probably was running and came down on a stick. Three ounces of water was excised from the growth and the doctor assured us that he will be just fine. He also sent a million dollars worth of antibiotics and other medications home with us.

Brutus had a bath, was brushed, then vacuumed, before going to the vets on Tuesday. He loves all three.

We talked about having Brutus neutered and that will happen in the next few weeks. We were distraught to hear that he’ll have to wear a large collar after for a week. He knocks things over with his huge head WITHOUT a collar, what will he do with while wearing one? We’ll cross that bridge when we get there.

The carved tree trunk outside the veteranarian's office

Mark, Sheri, and Sarah, stopped to visit last night. Sarah’s back home for the next month from Wyoming and I’m looking forward to talking with her. She was a student of mine while I taught at Sheldon Jackson College in Alaska and currently teaches fourth grade. She’s a sweetie pie.

Sargie’s back to work today so Brutus and I will be on our own. Other than grade a few assignments, I’m not sure what’s on the agenda. The garden is full of weeds, but I’m not sure I’m up for that chore yet. The contents of the barn need to be put away, but with the knee, even that task seems daunting.  I’m currently reading a book about a young man who paddled the Mississippi River in a canoe from beginning to end. Though I’ve entertained doing the same in a kayak, the more humble part of me dictates that will probably never happen.

Well, whatever, it’s time to grab another cup of coffee and think some deep thoughts. After all, a man’s work is never done.

Brutus was getting impatient to go upstairs to bed last night. He sleeps on the floor at the foot of our bed.

So are the tales from Pentoga Road…

My newest BFF, Nurse Kim, after Monday's "scope"

June 25, 2013 – Tuesday

69 degrees/hazy/calm winds

Pentoga Road

I’m happy we installed the air conditioners Sunday as they’ll be used today. The high is forecast for 84 degrees with a goodly amount of humidity. Thankfully, our little house is easy to keep cool and the small window unit downstairs, coupled with the teeny 5,000 btu air conditioner in our bedroom, keeps the entire house very comfortable.

As long as we were installing the air conditioners, Sargie washed the windows in the living room and bedrooms.

Yesterday’s surgery went well. We were at the hospital well before 6 AM and after standing in line to be processed, found ourselves in a small pre-op cubicle where I was adorned in a hot and sexy hospital gown.

Sargie was later shown to the family waiting room while I was wheeled into another cubicle where IV lines were inserted and the same questions were asked and answered over and over… my full name, date of birth, and what kind of surgery I was having and on which knee. The operating room nurse told me the questions were standard to be sure there were no mistakes made. Already injected with drugs and half loopy, I jokingly quipped that I didn’t want the doctor operating on the wrong parts of my body. I thought it was hilarious and laughed and laughed. The nurse smiled and told me she hoped I was a better teacher than a comedian, to close my eyes and get some rest.

I really don’t remember anything from there on. The nurse who put in the IV inserted the needle into a vein on the back of my hand so painlessly that I didn’t even know she’d done it.  I remember getting up on one elbow and looking around the operating room and cracking a joke about there being an HD television so the doctors could watch the Packers games. The next thing I knew, a nurse was waking me in the recovery room and shoveling ice chips down my throat.

After the procedure, the doctor stopped and talked with Sargie and told her that he’d repaired the torn meniscus, there was no arthritis, and the knee looked good. The prognosis for eventually getting back on the trails seems to be favorable!

I received the ultimate compliment from the anesthesiologist before the operation. She was reading down the usual list, asking about past operations, medications, etc. and at the end, I jokingly asked if I passed. She put the chart down and said, “You’re way too healthy to be in here.” That made me feel good. The operating room nurse said I was the first person my age that had come through in a long time who wasn’t on any regular medications, didn’t have some sort of implant or medical device, and was simply healthy. I told her if it weren’t for my eyes and now the knee, I’d darn near be perfect in every way. She just laughed and told me to go to sleep.

I was wheeled back into the original cubicle where I met Sargie. After a spike in blood pressure, from 114/70 to 196/156, it went back to normal and I was wheeled out to the car.

The doctor had injected the knee with a painkiller and I felt like a million bucks. I remember thinking that maybe I’d take a small hike this morning, up the road and back, just to begin getting back in shape.

Then the painkiller wore off.

After a quick drive through of McDonalds to get a Coke to quench my very thirsty and sore throat (from the breathing tube they’d inserted during the operation) I piled into my recliner at home and slept most of the afternoon.

Yesterday was Mr. Milligan’s 88^th birthday. I told Sargie I wanted to attend the family gathering for him, a picnic held outside at the VA Hospital, so we drove back to Iron Mountain. 

It was good to see everyone and Mr. Milligan enjoyed it a great deal. 

Marley and I sat on the swing for sometime and talked and later, she used my camera to take some random snapshots. I thought she did pretty well for being only five years old.

Sleep last night was intermittent. I was in bed by 9 PM, but think I woke up every hour. I hate to take Vicoden, the pain pills the doctor prescribed. Still, I took one this morning in hopes of having a somewhat pain-free day ahead. Actually, my throat hurts as bad as my knee. I think they brought up half the skin from my throat with the breathing tube when they removed it. That thing that hangs down in the back of the airway (the one that makes a person snore) is swollen to the point of almost closing off the airway this morning, but at least the pain is mostly gone. I’m assuming all will go back to normal in the next day or two.

Realistically, after taking off the rose-colored glasses, I can see the knee is going to be a project. I think I’ll get a hiking pole hanging on the wall in the garage to assist me. Walking is a bit of a chore. There’ll be no cross country hiking for a while.

Sargie is off again today. We’re going to take Brutus to the animal hospital in Iron Mountain. He has a lump the size of a golf ball that has developed on his inner groin and is accompanied by a discharge. In my very unprofessional opinion, I’m guessing he has an infection of some type. I also want to make arrangements to have him neutered in the near future. He’s a good pup. Getting him neutered should only make him better.

Some people are coming to look at Sargie’s van. Hopefully, they’ll purchase it and we can cross that project off our list.

With that in mind, its time to get another cup of coffee and think deep thoughts. A man’s work is never done.

So are the tales from Pentoga Road…

Moving back into the barn and shop on Saturday

June 23, 2013 – Sunday

61 degrees/fog/light breeze

Pentoga Road

I’ve been reading Xinhua, http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/home.htmChina’s international English newspaper and comparing stories with those written in the U.S. and European newspapers. One would hardly know they are the same.

As biased as our media has become, I try to read print from various sources hoping I might get a real insight into the truth, but I’m not sure that’s possible any longer.

When I lived north of the Arctic Circle, I listened to a Russian English language broadcast and was amazed how they perceived the United States. Just as we’ve been quick to blame Russia for everything from nuclear proliferation to having a bad hair day, they do the same. I suspect that somewhere out there, in the middle, is the real truth. Unfortunately, none of us will probably ever know what it is.

Saturday was a workday on Pentoga Road. I went to town first thing and was home by 9 AM. After, I spent the majority of the day moving items from the garage back into the barn. It’s difficult to write about moving saws, tools, nuts, and bolts. There simply aren’t words that can describe the boring repetition of loading and unloading.

I need to reinforce my woodbin this morning and get it moved, then I can finish emptying the garage. As excited as I was to get a new garage and barn floor, I’m equally as excited to get everything done. It’s been a process.

The weather cleared long enough that I was able to mow the yard. Assuming I might be incapacitated for a few days, I won’t have to worry about that chore.

Sargie was home early last night and after walking around the yard for a bit, we spent a quiet evening indoors. We talked about driving over and visiting with Mark and Sheri who are camping about twenty-five miles away, but my knee was throbbing and Sargie’d been working all day. We begged off and stayed home. I was all done in.

I finally used the new Craftsman bionic wrenches Sargie got me for Father's Day. They work like a charm. Here I'm tightening the vice on the work bench from underneath.

I was in bed by 9 and immediately fell into a restless sleep. I couldn’t get comfortable and woke around midnight, initially thankful that morning had arrived, then disappointed to find the night had barely begun. The early morning hours were filled with tossing and turning.

I’m looking forward to tomorrow’s procedure. I’m eager to get that piece of cartilage, obviously caught crossways somewhere in the knee, removed. It’s not only a pain in my knee, it’s getting to be a bigger pain in my backside. These last five weeks have been long ones.

Since we have to be at the hospital by 6 AM and it’s an hour’s drive, I doubt there’ll be an entry on Monday. On the other hand, if I sleep as poorly Sunday night as I did on Saturday, I may get up and write. It’ll help to pass the hours.

But first, there’s today. I want to finish moving the barn items from the garage. Sargie’s going to give me a haircut. The air conditioners need to be carried up from the basement and installed. An apple tree needs staking. There are assignments to read and grades to assign; lots to do before tomorrow arrives.

A man’s work is never done.

So are the tales from Pentoga Road…

Maybe I should have had a sale and started over. It might have been easier.

A Baltimore Oriole sitting in a wild cherry tree

June 22, 2013 – Saturday

61 degrees/cloudy/calm/fog

Pentoga Road

Whew, one could cut the humidity with a dull butter knife this morning. It’s sticky and with a forecast high of 80 degrees, there’ll be no small amount of sweat expended this afternoon.

We received almost an inch of rain over the past 36 hours, precipitation we badly needed. There’s a 50% chance for more each day this coming week. Let ‘er rain.

With the wet stuff pounding down on Saturday morning, I suggested we take a ride over to Rhinelander, Wisconsin, a beautiful community about an hour away. Rhinelander and Iron Mountain are almost identical in size, around 7,500 residents, but when it comes to shopping, they have something Iron Mountain doesn’t, a Kohl’s Department Store. I didn’t have to make the suggestion twice.

I hung in with Sargie until my heart migrated to my left knee then I found a bench or chair or was content to sit in the car while she shopped the clearance racks high and low. On his best day, one needs to be in good shape to keep up with Sargie so I was happy to step off to the side so as not to impede her progress. Kohl’s, JC Penny’s, it made no difference. She was on the trail of bargains.

We stopped at Menards Lumber on the way out of town where we purchased a couple of push brooms for the garage and barn. No excuses now for having dirty floors!

Sargie reminds me of Edith Ann, a character played by Lily Tomlin, many years ago.

Definitely some resemblance there!

Brutus met us as we pulled into the drive and we spent the next hour playing fetch. He was happy to get rid of some excess energy and I noticed he had no trouble sleeping last night. As I tossed and turned the night through, I heard his grunts, snores, and the other noises a bulldog makes when slumbering on the floor at the foot of our bed. Brutus spent much of the evening chomping on a big o' cow bone we'd purchased as a treat.

Sargie busied herself last night transplanting the last of the summer flowers into a teacup-type container and flower beds. With the humidity high and the mosquitoes thick, we finally called it a day.

Last night was spent watching television as I struggled to keep my eyes open. I learned some new survival methods from Les Stroud, the Survivor Man, while dozing.

Sargie works early today. I need to go into town first thing then hope to spend the rest of Saturday working in the barn, getting things arranged. The yard could use a good mowing one last time before Monday arrives and of course, the garden always needs attention.

I don't know what it is, but the flower growing in the perennial bed is delicate and very pretty.

A man’s work is never done.

So are the tales from Pentoga Road…

The first strawberry of the year. Sargie pronounced it delicious. Most should be coming on in the next week to ten days.

The lake was calm and picture perfect Thursday morning

June 21, 2013 – Friday

61 degrees/rain/breezy

Pentoga Road

It smells fresh and clean this morning. We’ve had .6 of an inch of rain since late yesterday afternoon and my garden is on its umpteenth verse of the Hallelujah Chorus. It’s been dry these past few days and I can hear the plants gulping the water as it pours from the sky.

I see there’s a big ol’ blob of storms heading this way from Minnesota. Hopefully, it will rain all weekend.

X marks the spot. It's currently raining and I can hear the thunder in the distance.

I didn’t sleep worth a poop last night as I just couldn’t get comfortable. I’d lay my left leg on top of the sheets and the knee would feel okay for about sixty seconds, then begin to throb. I’d lie on my back, my side, elevate the leg or throw it over Sargie, all with the same results. I finally gave up early this morning and came downstairs. Monday can’t get here soon enough.

Thursday was a mixed bag. I left at the same time as Sargie and made my way to the lake. Skipping any preliminaries, I went directly to the large spawning bed of bluegills we’d fished on Tuesday. Within an hour, I had fifteen nice gillies in the basket.

The wind rose and dark clouds soon covered the sky. The fish quit hitting. I came home with a nice mess, certainly enough for a good meal for Sargie and me.

Page Two

The insurance company and hospital were both called. Sue at Pre-Op gave me all kinds of instructions, most common sense. I learned that if I had dentures, they would be removed before the procedure took place. I told her all the teeth in my head were permanently affixed.

I was also told I’d be given something to “take the edge off,” before I go under general anesthesia. I look forward to the Happy Land feeling. Since I’m a card-carrying member of multiple twelve-step clubs, I tend to enjoy those rare occasions of chemically induced euphoria. I’m the only person I’ve ever heard of who enjoyed his colonoscopy… I have no idea how the actual procedure felt, but I loved the shot they gave me beforehand and actually asked if they’d leave me in the stupor for a few more minutes following. They laughed and brought me to full consciousness. Some doctors have no sense of humor at all.

It appears as though I’ll have to be at the hospital before 6 AM Monday morning. Since it’s a fifty-minute drive to Iron Mountain, it’ll be an early morning for Sargie and me.

Page Three

I turned my attentions to Sargie’s old van Thursday afternoon. She wants to sell it and the owner of the paving company is interested in purchasing it.

After a winter of sitting alongside the barn, the van immediately started. I let it idle for a few minutes then put it in gear. It wouldn’t budge. I checked all four tires. Each was full of air. I gave the van more gas and it begrudgingly moved forward and onto the drive.

The back driver’s side wheel was locked. After a winter of sitting in one place, the brakes had rusted against the drum. I got the jack from the Man Truck, took off the tire, and pounded the poops out of the brake drum. It was rotating freely within minutes.

The next hour was dedicated to washing the van. After Sargie cleans the interior, it ought to be ready to sell.

I worked in the garden for the rest of the afternoon, replanted a couple of things, weeded and watered. The jury is still out on this year’s crop. The beets and carrots look amazing, the tomatoes and peppers adequate, pole beans great, bush beans poor. The bush cucumbers are slow, but healthy and should produce a good quantity of fruits, but the winter squash looks poor. I’m babying the giant pumpkins and adding fertilizer to them every other day. The plants are growing noticeably daily and I’m waiting for each to set a pumpkin in the next two to three weeks. After that, all other vines and fruits will be removed so all the growing power goes to only one on each plant. This is the year for the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown… I hope.

I piddled around in the barn, but didn’t accomplish much. Hopefully, I’ll make a bit of headway today. Dragging this gimpy leg around, it’s hard to stay focused on any one thing for too long.

Sargie was home early last night and we feasted on leftovers. It was quiet and peaceful and I battled to keep awake until 9, but finally gave up and went to bed. That left Sargie to have an exciting evening with Brutus and everyone knows, he's such a party animal. I think she came upstairs a short time after me and watched television in bed; I wouldn’t know, I was sound asleep.

Another wild and out of control evening on Pentoga Road

Page Four

Sargie’s off today. We’re going to bring the air conditioners up from the basement and put them in the windows. It’s not hot enough to run either, but since I’ll be laid up for a few days, we figured we might as well get them installed now and we won’t have to depend on someone else to help us later. Other than that, it looks like a good day to be lazy, enjoy the rain and storms, and of course, there’s the mandatory Grandpa nap that I’ll no doubt enjoy later. After all, a man’s work is never done.

So are the tales from Pentoga Road…

I'm attempting to change the leader on my fly line early Thursday morning. It's a good thing pictures can't record sounds. The air in the dining room still has a bluish tinge.