Rain squalls and sunshine were both abundant while driving home from the airport on Saturday afternoon

October 20, 2013 – Sunday

33 degrees/cloudy/calm

Pentoga Road

It’s good to be back home. There’s a fire crackling in the wood stove and a gentle drizzle falling on the other side of the windows. Brutus is lying at my feet and I’m thinking that once I finish writing, I’ll strap on my shoes and take a five-mile stroll.

The mighty Mississippi outside of Minneapolis

Sargie was a sight for sore eyes when I walked into the Vision Center shortly after noon on Saturday. Naturally, she was busy waiting on patients and doing those things she does, but we still managed to find a few seconds for a big hug and quick kiss. I wished she could have thrown her white lab coat onto the bench and come home with me. Unfortunately, my favorite optician in the world had to close. I didn’t see Sargie again until almost 9:30 last night. Thankfully, she’s off today.

Brutus’s reactions to my return can only be described as those of a psychotic canine. He was in his doghouse when I pulled into the drive. Initially, I saw his bushel basket-sized head poke out the door, then suddenly, I had a huge American Bulldog draped all over me. We played almost half-an-hour of fetch and tag until he finally returned to being a much calmer pup. That being said, he won’t leave my side. Even when I was sitting on the porcelain throne reading a bit ago, the bulldog insisted on lying on my feet. He’s presently doing the same as I write.  

 

I took two naps yesterday afternoon and managed to stay awake throughout the evening hours. Sargie and I got caught up on the news last night and it was two very happy, exhausted, people that flopped into bed last night, snuggled, and quickly fell asleep.

A sparrow landed next to me in the Minneapolis Airport on Saturday

I’m already missing my sons, their wives, and of course, my grandbabies. Abigail, Coleman, Daddy, and I, have already Skyped this morning. It’s as though we never missed a beat. Thank God for modern technology.

No news out of Matt and Jessica’s. The newest addition to the Pennington clan is due tomorrow. Jessica is to have an ultrasound Monday morning to ensure the baby’s health. Other than that, I guess only God and the stork know the actual date of arrival.

I think today will be a lazy one. I might put out a few raccoon traps, take a five-mile stroll, and watch football. Sargie’s off, so we’ll, no doubt, enjoy our usual Sunday afternoon drive.

Monday will be busy. I’ve got to call the insurance company about payment of some services. I want to notify the surrounding school districts, including the one in Florence, Wisconsin, that I’m home, ready, and able to substitute teach. The garden needs to be put to bed for the coming winter months, traps to be prepared for the season that is upon us, and of course, there are those pesky assignments that keep flowing into my email inbox on a daily basis.

One of the many locks and dams on the Mississippi

But then, I’m not surprised. I learned early in this retirement that a man’s work is never done.

So are the tales from Pentoga Road…