Heat, beets, Brutus gets a bath, and a new four wheeler!

Look who has a new four wheeler!

July 19, 2013 – Friday

77 degrees/breezy/very humid/haze

Pentoga Road

Well darn it anyway. I was hoping after some brief, but heavy, showers flew through earlier this morning, the cold front might have brought some real relief. No such luck. It’s already pushing 80 degrees and its not even 7 AM.

We could use some precipitation. Areas fifty miles to the north are getting pelted with inches of heavy rain, but unfortunately, are also experiencing strong storms. Trees have been blown over and damage sustained to homes and buildings. We don’t need that, just the rain.

Nasturtiums are beginning to bloom in the garden

Thursday was another day spent in air conditioning. We talked and sipped coffee most the morning. I hand pollinated a couple of big pumpkins, picked a cucumber or two, but mostly, Mom, Sargie, and I, gabbed and tried to keep cool.

I took time to play fetch with Brutus

After a game of fetch, it was time for a thorough scrubbing and shower for both of us.

We took a drive during the afternoon, grabbed a burger, and looked at how the other half live in their beautiful lake homes. We drove by one that was for sale. Asking price was a mere $295,000. Sargie and I both agreed that if we pooled our untold millions, we’d still not have enough money for the first month’s payment, let alone the down payment or property tax. Ah, it’s fun to look and dream. Personally, I’d rather live right here on Pentoga Road.

Mark, Sheri, and Sarah, came out last night to pick a couple of bags of beets. 

I've not seen anyone have so much fun pulling beets as Sarah. I love to tease her. Living in Wyoming with her husband, Curtis, my former student is all grown up and has already taught for several years.

I didn’t realize that Mark had brought his old four-wheeler on a trailer, one that I told him I’d like to purchase when he bought his new side-by-side earlier this summer.

Yooper Brother Mark unloading his old (and my new) ATV

 So now, I’m the proud owner of a gently used Polaris 500 4WD ATV complete with a snow plow. I told Sargie I could hardly wait until it snows. A new drive, a new four wheeler, a plow… I’m going to have fun pushing the white stuff this winter! Of course I’ll keep the little blue one. It’s my workhorse for the chores around here. The 500 will used to drive to town and is big enough for Sargie and I to ride double.

I ordered another book about hiking the Appalachian Trail last night. My knee must be feeling much better as my enthusiasm for a future attempt has been rekindled. Brutus and I will be back to a daily regimen of walking as soon as the heat breaks.

The cucumbers are beginning to set on, but I'm not sure I like this variety. You never know unless you try.

Sargie’s back to work today and has to close tonight. It’ll be 9:30 before she arrives home.

The internet guys are coming back out today to hoist the antenna further into the sky. I may have them put the over-the-air television antenna on the tower while they are up there so I can receive some more local channels. I’m not convinced height, or the lack of it, is what’s wrong with the internet connection, but at least they’re doing something. I’ll reserve judgment until the net works for more than a few hours a day.

I hope to work in the barn today. Mom told me to do what I normally do which (I think) means she wants me to go outside to play so she can read her book and take an occasional nap. Maybe I can talk her into taking a ride on the new four-wheeler!

Mom was outside last night helping Sargie pick off "dead heads," those geraniums that had bloomed and were withering.

So with all that being said, it’s time to awaken Sargie, talk with Mom, sip coffee, and think deep thoughts. It’s all part of my daily routine because after all, a man’s work is never done.

So are the tales from Pentoga Road…