Mom and Sargie putting up beets on Wednesday morning

July 25, 2013 – Thursday

51 degrees/sunny/calm

Pentoga Road

I just remembered that I have a test to upload and post this morning. It’s hard to believe this summer session is almost over. The fall semester begins around Labor Day.

Wednesday was picture perfect and I didn’t waste any time getting into the garden. Both the carrots and beets needed thinning. I was ruthless as I tore out tender, young, plants to make way for others to grow strong and healthy.

I hate to waste anything. The carrots were small, but at the stage when they are the best… young, tender, and sweet. Mom cleaned and put them all in a bowl of ice water. That makes for good munching.

The beets were blanched and placed into freezer bags for some good eating this winter. I like the Cylindra variety I planted this year, but for as big as the tops are, the roots are small. Their flavor is really good and they are extremely tender. I think I’ll plant both the Detroit Dark Red and Cylindra next year.

One thing’s for certain, I need to expand the garden area. I hope to FINALLY get the grading and landscaping completed this fall so there’ll be more growing space next year. Everything is finally taking off and growing. At least I don’t have to worry about weeds. There’s no room for any.

In this picture: tomatoes, cauliflower, zucchini, green beans, cucumbers, cantaloupe, and marigolds.

Mom, Sargie, and I, traveled east to Old Mansfield, a ghost town and former mining community about fifteen miles from here. Mom especially liked the restored log church where I played the pump organ for a few minutes. 

I’ve not accompanied a church service for over thirty years, but that’s one place I’d consider it. An organ over a hundred years old, a log church, a wood stove for heat and no electricity… somehow, God just seems much closer there.

Mom treated Sargie and me to lunch. We enjoyed pastys (Yooper meat pies) and left the restaurant much more full than when we entered!

I spent late Wednesday afternoon finishing the shelf in the barn. I’ll fill it today before beginning to build another.

We came across this sign while sight seeing on Wednesday. I know times are bad, but...

Sargie’s closing tonight and it will be a long day for her. I’ve got several ongoing projects to work on. I imagine Mom and Brutus will supervise. Though there are thunderstorms in the forecast, it’s dawning the perfect day.

Time to pour another cup of coffee and get that quiz uploaded. No doubt, there’ll be deep thoughts to think. A man’s work is never done.

So are the tales from Pentoga Road… 

The knock-out rose on the left has been in constant bloom all summer