Tales from Pentoga

One year old Brielle and Mommy

September , 22, 2013 – Sunday

39 degrees/clear/calm

Pentoga Road

Saturday morning began with a ride to Green Bay and onto Appleton, a half hour further south. I was happy I’d finished Brutus’s doghouse as he now has a warm and dry place to get in out of the weather when we’re gone. With a rawhide chew toy sticking out of his mouth, ala Winston Churchhill smoking one of his famous cigars, Brutus barely gave us a second look as we pulled from the drive.

The day was beautiful and other than a quick pause for breakfast, our first stop was at Sam’s Club for a few groceries, a bike shop down the road for chain oil, and then onto Appleton for Brielle’s birthday party.

There's always time to stop by the clearance racks in the clothing section.

It was a fun time. About 2/3^rd’s of the Milligan’s were in attendance along with many from the other side of the family, friends of Ashley’s and Brett’s, and whoever else happened to be in the neighborhood. For certain, there was lots of laughing and giggling.

Niece Aubrey with her Grandpa Ross, or as she now calls him, "Iggy."

Not being a crowd-type person, I spent half my time in the backyard watching four young boys and their daddies play football and later in the living room occasionally glancing at a college football game and listening to a lively and good-natured argument concerning the Detroit Lions and Packers. For once, I kept my mouth shut and let others plead for their teams. My mama didn’t have no dummy. It reminded me of my undergraduate college days when we’d passionately debate religion or politics. No one ever won and in the end, I doubt anyone really cared.

One-year-old Brielle is definitely a girl. I think a lot of folks were disappointed when she daintily picked at her birthday cake rather than picking up a handful of frosting and smearing it all over her face. I remember with my boys, all anyone could see was the whites of their eyes by the time they were finished. Brielle looked as clean after as she did before.

There were copious amounts of food… lots and lots to graze on. I started with a good old-fashioned hot dog and finished with spaghetti accompanied by Sargie’s garlic bread, something I discovered she is rather famous for. Since I was in our kitchen when she put concocted it on Friday night, I’d publish the recipe, but then I’d have to kill you. All I can say is, it’s to-die-for good.

Towards late afternoon, we hugged and kissed everyone goodbye and faced the car north. Traffic was light and we made excellent time.

The last activity of the night found Sargie and me armed with flashlights, covering the giant pumpkins in the garden with tarps. With temperatures forecast for the mid to upper twenties, I didn’t want them to freeze and grow mushy before Halloween. As it was, it didn’t get nearly as cold as forecast, so hopefully, they can sit where they are until Andy and Mollie arrive next week. With Andy’s help, we’ll get them moved onto the front porch. They can sit there until we deliver them to our nieces in a couple of weeks.

A few last minute goodies, including miniature pumpkins, were gathered from the garden late last night

Sargie works from noon until five this afternoon. I’m going to content myself with grading papers, taking a trike ride, and watching the Packers/Cincinnati game at noon. It’s going to be a stressful day, but I’ve grown used to it.