Tales from Pentoga: Nachos, Fish, and Storms

Sargie emerged as the master angler Sunday evening

July 8, 2013 – Monday

65 degrees/calm/mist/drizzle

Pentoga Road

Sunday morning’s rain and cool temperatures turned into Sunday afternoon’s steam bath. It appears today could be the same.

Sargie and I lay in bed last night listening to the sounds of thunder in the far distance. I awakened at 12:30 as Mother Nature played a well written imitation of a Wagner symphony outside our window. At 2:30, the rain began to fall and another half an inch accumulated before the storm system moved on about an hour ago.

I’m not sure Sargie or I got a lot of sleep last night. The storms weren’t dangerous, but it seems we were awake a lot. Some days are diamonds; others are coal. Last night, we mined coal.

Brutus and I were excited about walking Sunday morning. As the clouds cleared away and the sun appeared, I decided that if we were going to attempt some sort of walk, there was no time like the present. It had been a full six weeks, almost seven.

The dog almost did canine cartwheels when Sargie got his leash from the wall by the basement stairs. He hurried to the door and sat, waiting for me to catch up.

I donned hiking socks, strapped on my ultra light shoes, and seconds later, we were on the road.

I’m not going to lie and say how good it felt to be back stepping off the miles. In fact, we only made it up the hill to Mrs. Wilkinson’s driveway before we were forced to turn around; a distance of quarter mile. The knee was growing stiff and made clicking sounds. By the time we arrived back home, I was ready to quit.

Fearing a replay of last week’s swelling episode, I immediately propped my leg up and applied ice. Thankfully, there was no swelling and I made it through the rest of the day in good shape. Brutus and I will take an identical walk again today. As Sargie says, “Baby steps.” It’s going to be a process. Right now, the Appalachian Trail seems a long ways away.

Brutus’s paw held up well during the walk, but the poor pup was overheated. I quickly turned on the floor fan and he lay his head just inches from it enjoying the fast moving air.

Sargie and I took our usual Sunday afternoon ride. She was especially happy with a few bargains found at the local Insurance Liquidators. We later took advantage of the drive-through at McDonalds and purchased a coke and ice cream cone then enjoyed the surrounding countryside from inside the air-conditioned car.

A deer browsing in someone's side yard in Iron River

I had a craving for super nachos. Sargie browned hamburger and we drizzled cheese, refried beans, jalapeno peppers, black olives, and every other ingredient known to modern man over mountains of corn chips. An hour later, we both felt like beached whales wondering why we ate so much. Oh well, it was fun and tasted good, but I swore I am never going to eat again.

Sargie took me fishing Sunday evening and holds the title of Bass and Bluegill Master Angler of Pentoga Road. The girl-guide landed multiple bass, most just under the legal size and several bluegills.

The funniest event occurred when we were trolling in front of the local summer camp. A couple-hundred high school students were seated on benches close to the beach facing the lake engaged in some sort of awards ceremony. Sargie and I were quietly trolling directly in front, trying to be as nonchalant and unobtrusive as possible. Suddenly she got a strike and a second later, a fish hit my lure. We had a double catch, both of us landing bass in front of the entire assembly. Mine put on quite the aerial display adding to show. I’m expecting a call from one of the outdoors channels at any time.

The temperatures and humidity had steadily climbed during the late afternoon hours. We arrived home just before dark and found the thermometer in the living room registering 89 degrees with 98% humidity. The dog was once again overheating (after playing a quick session of fetch) and Sargie and I were hot, sweaty, and fishy. Showers felt good and we spent the rest of the evening enjoying the rush of the cooler evening air blown in by a window fan.

Sargie’s back to work today and will enjoy supper tonight with Mr. Milligan at the VA Hospital. The boys from the internet provider are to be here before noon to install a new antenna, one that is supposed to cure my every digital reception ill. I think they’re full of poops, but we’ll see. At this juncture, I’m willing to try anything.