Hey, isn't that a coincidence? Clay Matthews and I wear the same jersey!

September 9, 2013 – Monday

59 degrees/clouds/rain/calm

Pentoga Road

Happy Birthday to my little buddy, Brutus. My constant companion, the canine who is presently lying on my feet, is two years old today. For certain, Brutus has been a Godsend this summer. He’s listened to me gripe and complain about my knee and never grows tired of being petted and having his belly scratched. All I have to do is mention walking and he’s ready to go, continually maintaining the correct pace at my side. In many ways, he’s my right arm. The pup is the gentlest dog I’ve ever known and probably the most loving. And is he smart? The jury is still out on that one. As I’ve said multiple times, he’s either the smartest dog I’ve ever known or the dumbest. I doubt I’ll ever know for sure.

He's not allowed on the bed, but let the bed spread hit the floor and Brutus is under it.

There’s just not a lot to write about. The last two days have been very quiet and I guess that’s a good thing.

Saturday was spent working on the wood stove. I spent no small amount of time lightly sanding any places that were showing surface rust and applying polish. I’m not sure how old the stove is, but it’s beginning to show signs of wear and tear, nothing that should affect its performance, it simply doesn’t look new any longer.

It took some calculating to get the firebricks inserted. Thankfully, Neighbor Mike had taught me how to cut bricks last week as I had to measure and cut the remaining one to fit. I felt pretty darn good when it slipped into place. I’ll give the stove one more polish and pronounce that job completed for the year.

I’ve worked on the Dog Mahol and have the entire roof of the house covered. I’ll be attempting to finish the porch today, but will have to cease work until I can get back to Iron Mountain and purchase more material with which to finish. I’m hoping to get the doggie complex finished this week… I hope.

Sunday started with an easy three mile walk, the first in several weeks. The knee creaked and groaned at the beginning, but after a quarter of a mile, it remembered what it was supposed to do and the rest of the hike went well. There was no swelling after and I think (knock on wood) that I may have turned the corner. Sargie, Brutus, and I, strolled two-and-a-half miles last night just before dark with no negative effects. I hope to repeat the above again today. It’s time to get into shape.

Sargie spent much of the day cleaning. She opened the spare bedroom and got it ready for Aunt Sue and Uncle Terry. When I think the house looks nice, it seems that girl finds someplace that needs to be cleaned. I told her I’d do the floors today. That’s my specialty… and still, she usually finds someplace I missed. 

We went for our usual Sunday drive. With the temperatures in the low 60’s, sunny, and no humidity, it was nice driving through Crystal Falls looking at people’s yards and houses. It amazes me how really nice most people keep their places; neatly trimmed yards, flowers, gardens, etc. There are some stately houses that are beautiful and one in particular (I didn’t take a picture) looks like it should have been featured in House on Haunted Hill, the old Vincent Price thriller.

The rest of the day was spent watching Packer’s football. We played well, but lost to the 49’ers by six points. Still, I didn’t feel bad. San Francisco has a good team and it was simply a matter of abilities. They are a better team… for now. I think the Packers will have a good season, although it appears our division, the NFC North, is going to be a tough one this year.

I’d purchased some Southern style ribs on sale Saturday and put those on the grill yesterday afternoon. 

Sargie made stuffed vegetable zucchini and we ate like royalty.

Sunday ended with our twilight stroll. I think we were in bed shortly after 9:30.

Uncle Terry and Aunt Sue are to pull in later today. Aunt Sue sent an email Sunday evening saying they were in lower Michigan and going to camp last night. I’ve got a bit of housework to do this morning and of course, some goofy professor made all the assignments for his class due today. Many came in early, but there is no small amount of reading that needs to be done.

I’m not surprised. After all, a man’s work is never done.

So are the tales from Pentoga Road…