September 6, 2013 – Friday

51 degrees/clear/calm

Pentoga Road

I’m running a bit late this morning. Between watching part of last night’s season opening NFL game and reading and grading assignments first thing this morning, time has left me behind.

Thursday morning saw us attempting to get the clothes washer out of the basement up some very steep steps. I’d gone into town and borrowed a dolly, but it wasn’t the type for appliances and had larger wheels; so much so that we weren’t strong enough to push and pull it from step to step with the washer.

"Put that camera away and get to lifting," said Sargie.

Failing any success with the dolly, we simply lay the washer on it’s side and drug the thing upwards. Sargie pushed, I lifted and pulled, and eventually it lay at the top of the steps in the kitchen like a beached whale.

We stopped at the hospital in Iron Mountain long enough for me to have blood drawn. That completes the second half of my annual physical.

Our next stop was at the storage unit where we freed Sargie’s washer. Several boxes, a wheelbarrow, and a complete central air conditioning unit lay between the washer and the door. Thankfully, with the dolly, we made short work out of moving everything and had the machine loaded within forty-five minutes.

I’ve wanted to borrow Macrea’s old bicycle that’s been in storage. The only place to haul it was on top of the Blazer and I’d not brought any straps or rope. There was, however, a piece of old rope attached to a sled and wads and balls of old computer and telephone wire. Problem solved! All I needed was some duct tape and I’d have had a real Alaskan/Yooper solution to brag about.

The new washer went down the basement much easier than the old one came up. Funny how gravity works, eh? After sorting through old hoses, rotted hose washers, and loose connections, we finally had the machine connected and working. Sargie scrubbed and cleaned the beast and by nightfall, she’d done two loads and hung one out on the line. We were back in business.

I mowed the lawn yesterday evening. I also paid a visit to the garden and gathered a few handfuls of green beans, a small zucchini squash, a banana pepper or two, and a couple of tomatoes. Sargie worked her kitchen magic and an hour later, we were eating the best vegetable soup I’ve had in years. A few dumplings were dropped on top and we ate like royalty last night. In fact, I went back and had a second heaping bowl. I love cool evenings and hot soup.

There's a reason they're called pole beans.

These are growing over my head. Seems strange to reach up to pick beans.

Sargie’s off again today. I noticed she has the basement torn up and is rearranging shelves and the goodies that go on them. 

Now that the new washer is in place, Sargie's rearranging the basement.

I’m going to continue working on the doghouse. It’s my intention to finish the Dog Mahal or as the neighbor calls it, the “Dog Complex” in the next day or two. The building phase is completed. It’s a matter of putting on the siding, roofing, a coat of paint, moving the three pieces to their permanent resting place, and attaching all three to make one house.

But first, it’s time for another cup of coffee and listen to the news.

After all, a man’s work is never done.

So are the tales from Pentoga Road…

The Indian corn is over nine feet tall and the ears are filling out nicely.