The gladiolas are now in full bloom. We brought these up to the house to enjoy.

September 2, 2013 – Monday

50 degrees/windy/cloudy

Pentoga Road

Happy Labor Day. I guess to keep in the true spirit of the holiday, we ought to all be working today, not winding down from a three-day weekend.

I have difficulty understanding the true meaning of the modern Labor Day. Oh, I know the history and all, but, I mean… it’s not a patriotic holiday; certainly no Fourth of July, Veterans, or Memorial Day. It’s not a religious observation such as Christmas or Easter. But rather, for many, it’s a day when most people get off work to celebrate the very reason they are happy to not be working for the day.

I never pretended to be very bright, but I still don’t understand… and that’s okay. I don’t have to. I’m retired. 

Sunday began early… as in the middle of the night early. Any time one can have a log written, several emails sent, and eleven pounds of cucumbers washed, sliced, processed, packed into jars, and made into pickles by 7 AM, that’s half a day’s work completed by breakfast time.

I love these cucumbers. They can grow huge, yet are never bitter and have few, if any, seeds.

I saw Sargie off to work (no Labor Day celebration or three day weekend when one works in the Vision Center) and began insulating the doghouse by cutting pieces of foam to fit between the rafters.

That job should have consumed a couple of hours, three at the most, but in my typical fashion, it took almost the entire day. Sometimes I think if I get any slower, the clock will start to turn backwards… and as much as I’ve loved my past life and all its adventures, I really enjoy where I am right now. I don’t want to go back.

With the foam in, failing to have any Tyvek, I wrapped the entire structure in a good, old-fashioned, drop cloth, before putting on the bottom floor and the front panel. The rest of the siding and interior walls should be finished today with the garage and porch to follow. My goal is to have the house finished and painted by week’s end. I’m not overly optimistic, but we’ll see.

Neighbor Mike stopped in yesterday asking if I’d seen his eleven-year-old deaf setter, Winnie. In her waning years, she has a penchant for putting her nose on a scent and wandering off. I hopped on my ATV and searched along the four-wheeler trail in back of Mike’s place while he tromped the woods. Mike found her several hours later. Last year, Winnie took off and was found in Florence, Wisconsin, fifteen miles distant. She’d started walking on the four-wheeler trail (the old railroad grade) and didn’t stop. Poor Winnie is beginning to get old and confused. I can relate.

A real Yooper portable deer blind that belongs to the local National Guard unit. A heavy equipment company, they maintain the ATV trail. 

Sargie gets to celebrate Labor Day by laboring today. It’s just another workday for her. I’m heading out to the barn as soon as she leaves to continue work on the doghouse. I’ll be heading to Iron Mountain later this afternoon so Sargie and I can visit her dad at the VA. I have a doctor’s appointment in the morning so Sargie and I can ride together.

Meanwhile, it’s time to get another cup of coffee and listen to the news. A man’s work is never done.

So are the tales from Pentoga Road…