This was the highest I saw the outside temperature on Monday. As you can see, I had the wood stove blazing.

December 30, 2013 – Tuesday

-19 degrees/calm/clear

Pentoga Road

The cold continues throughout the upper Midwest and while surfing the internet on Monday, I noticed that our temperatures were considerably colder than those above the Arctic Circle. I think the high for Monday might have crept up to -1, but the low sank to -22 just before sunrise. It appears it’ll be the same scenario today.

Saying that, there’s not much to write concerning Monday’s happenings on Pentoga Road. I did a load of laundry of Sargie’s good clothes that need to be hung while still damp so they don’t wrinkle, helped one of Sargie’s sisters with a computer problem over the phone, and watched a movie. A short amount of time was taken to carry in wood and play fetch with Brutus.

I’ve been researching towable backhoes, the type that can be pulled behind an ATV or even a riding lawnmower. I’m not sure I’ll ever purchase one, but it’s fun to window shop via the internet. I’m tired of tripping over logs, stumps, rocks, and uneven ground and would like to make some really good trails that can be easily mowed and maintained so I can enjoy walking through my own woods. Those same trails would be used when gathering maple syrup in the spring. Trying to get someone with heavy equipment is like pulling teeth and very expensive and besides, I’m not so sure I wouldn’t rather do the work myself. Like I said, it’s fun to window shop.

Sargie’s off today and I think we’ll be packing the Christmas goodies away for another year. I’m looking forward to not having to peek around the decorated tree when I want to glance at the television set. I love the decorations when Sargie puts them up and I love to see them go away after Christmas.

We’re to celebrate New Year’s Eve early tonight by going out to eat with Yooper Mark and Sheri. It’ll be nothing fancy, just good, quality, time with our dear friends. Sargie has to work early on New Years Day, so we’ll be in bed as usual tonight.

Time to move along, sip coffee, listen to the news, and think deep thoughts.

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

So are the tales from Pentoga Road…

That's about twenty-four to thirty-six hours supply of wood.

A trap was set Sunday to catch the squirrels that have suddenly found my bird feeders.

December 30, 2013 – Monday

-22 degrees/clear/calm

Pentoga Road

Ah, but it’s nice to sit here this morning and relish the sweet taste of the Packers victory over the Chicago Bears on Sunday. As I told someone earlier, it’s been that kind of year and any appearance, win or lose, during the post season, is pure gravy. Yooper Brother Mark mentioned last night that we’ll have to buy new t-shirts proclaiming our division championship for 2013. The playoffs start next Sunday when wild card San Francisco, heavily favored to win, visits Lambeau Field in Green Bay.

I rode with Sargie five miles down the road on Sunday morning. It was nippy walking back into a stiff breeze, five degrees and windy, but I didn’t get one mosquito bite the entire way and once I was warmed up from the exertion, the stroll was pleasant. I think I’ll let it warm up and walk this afternoon.

The rest of the day was spent watching football. I did take a break to play with the dog and while outside, mounted a live trap at the base of the bird feeders. I noticed some squirrel activity yesterday. Naturally, I missed when I aimed in that general direction with the pellet gun, but there’s nothing wrong with my trapping aim. Baited with peanut butter and peanuts, that little bugger will be mine, oh yes, he will be mine.

Sargie attended an annual tea yesterday at sister Tricia’s house. Year’s ago, when Tricia’s daughter, Lisa, was a small girl, she decided to have a tea party and invite her aunts and female cousins. The tradition has carried on over the years and though Lisa is now all grown up, married, and lives in Texas, she still hosts an annual tea for her aunts and cousins at her mother’s house. Sargie said they had a lot of fun and I’m certain there was no small amount of laughing and talking.

I’m not sure what today will bring. Sargie works early and thankfully, she’s off tomorrow, but has to work New Years day. We’re going to celebrate New Year’s Eve by going out to eat with Yooper Mark and Sheri Tuesday evening.

I’ve got a heavy day planned. Let’s see… there are a couple of loads of laundry to do, a stack of seed catalogues to look through, I need to begin thinking about setting up classes for this coming semester, and a nap to take.

It’s true, a man’s work is never done.

So are the tales from Pentoga Road…

Mmm, squirrel bait... a mixture of peanut butter and peanuts. 

The one-day thaw on Saturday caused the snow to slide from the metal roof onto the back deck. Over an hour was spent blowing, throwing, and scraping the wood clean.

December 29, 2013 – Sunday

5 degrees/cloudy/snow/windy

Pentoga Road

Just like that, spring disappeared and Mother Nature has suddenly thrown us back into the dark days of winter. Oh well, I took advantage of our one-day reprieve from winter and played outside most of Saturday.

The day began by taking an abbreviated walk, just two-and-a-half miles. I’m thankful I didn’t try to begin again by walking the full five; I’d have been a sore boy. One thing I’ve discovered as I get older… for the most part, I’m able to do what I did several years ago, but I have to build up to it. I’m no longer able to dive into a long distance or strenuous activity without paying the consequences.

I’ve mentally set a year from this coming March as a tentative kick off date to begin a solo attempt on the 2,180 mile Appalachian Trail. It’s going to take at least a year, maybe longer, to get this body in good enough shape to even consider such an adventure. We’ll see. There’s a lot of time and a long ways to go between now and March of 2015.

Other than the physical aspect, I have to perfect a way I can teach my classes while on the trail. That means being able to receive the internet at least once every three or four days, a week, at the most. My sons are very internet adept, have done no small amount of hiking, and I’m confident that between the five of us, we’ll be able to come up with a system that will allow me to continue teaching as I hike up the eastern seaboard of the country. Right now, I'm thinking a cellular hotspot, a small tablet, and portable keyboard, might do the trick. My oldest son, Josh, gave me a hiker's solar panel a couple of years ago, so keeping the electronics charged isn't an issue. 

Page Two

Once back home on Saturday, I worked in the barn and started several machines and let them idle. Knowing that our spring-like temperatures were short lived, I enjoyed simply fiddling around and tinkering while taking breaks to play with the dog.

I started for the back door when I discovered that the metal roof had warmed enough to make the snow slide and fall onto the patio. The deck was covered, often knee deep. It took over an hour using a combination of a shovel, the snow blower, and a scraper to completely clean it. I’m glad I took the time. Anything that was partially melted and remained on the wood could very well still be there next spring.

At least the roof over the main house is clean

It was time to go ice fishing. I could write an elongated dialogue describing the play-by-play action, but then I’d be lying. This year’s attempts at putting meat on the table have been polar opposites of those from last year. I can’t catch a decent fish to save my soul. Yesterday’s results? One small bluegill and a baby bass. I’m going to change lakes and try elsewhere. I don’t know where the fish are this year, but they aren’t in my freezer.

Sargie was home late last night. I spent the evening listening to music and piddling around the house. I’ve been unsure what to do with my old Iphone 4 since it no longer can be used as a phone and had been relegated to drawer of Grandma Reinhardt’s corner hutch, where all things go that will eventually be thrown away.

Other than a program or two at night, I don’t watch very much television. It simply takes too much energy to concentrate watching the screen and I pay for it after with achy and weeping eyes. There’s nothing wrong with my hearing, however, and when inside, I spend several hours a day listening to music or news.

I was sitting here last night looking at the solar charge controller and inverter that is tucked away in the corner of our living room wondering how I could best utilize it in the future when I had an idea.

Though the old iPhone no longer receives a cell signal, it remains a viable mini computer and has the same capabilities as a tablet or laptop. In the end, I connected it to the solar panels and batteries and utilizing the internet software, Pandora, am transmitting through our sound system. It works wonderfully and I’m able to listen to a much better quality of music.

My newest winter project is how to utilize the old phone (or any computer) to automatically control the irrigation and solar powered water pump for the new well point I hope to install in the garden this summer. If I ever get a weather station installed, it could be capable of reading the precipitation and operate the pump accordingly. We’ll see, but the idea is there and it’ll work… I think.

Having to close the Vision Center, Sargie wasn’t home until late last night. Thankfully, she’s off today.

I’m going to use this coming week’s bitter cold temperatures and wind as an excuse to stay inside and set up next semester’s classes. It appears they are huge to overflowing.

But first, comes today. It’s do or die for my Green Bay Packers. If they beat the Bears in Chicago, we’re the Central Division champions. If we lose, we go home and begin preparing for next year. With Aaron Rodgers and Randall Cobb back in the line up, I think we have a chance.

It’s time to grab another cup of coffee, listen to the news, and begin getting mentally prepared for this afternoon’s game. It’s not always easy being an armchair coach from the north woods, but then, I’m not surprised.

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

So are the tales from Pentoga Road… 

The 13.1 is the amount of volts stored in the battery (under the house) that is charged by the solar panel mounted outside. The iPhone, sitting on top, is being powered by the inverter and is wired into the stereo system. 

Sunrise Friday morning on Pentoga Road

December 28, 2013 – Saturday

29 degrees/cloudy/calm

Pentoga Road

The house seems awfully empty this morning with Mom and Andy gone. Brutus has sulked from room to room and at one time yesterday afternoon, I found him lying on the floor in the spare room by Mom's bed. Sargie and I aren't the only ones who miss them.

Mom and Andy both departed on the same flight to Minneapolis and made their connections in good shape. We stopped by the Vision Center so Sargie could tell them goodbye, then made our way onto the airport. 

Mom called last night saying she’d arrived in Indianapolis and was on her way home. I received a text from Andy during the night indicating he’d made it back to Louisiana.

Mom and Andy at the airport on Friday afternoon.

Andy going through security

After seeing both off, I returned to the Vision Center so Sargie and I could have lunch together. We munched Kentucky Fried Chicken bowls at our favorite drive-in eatery, the cemetery, and talked.

Friday afternoon found me outside. With the temperature a more normal 23 degrees, I hated to waste the spring-like weather. Brutus and I played catch until I put the last ball onto the tall roof of the house where it buried deep into the snow. I’d previously put one onto the garage roof, but managed to retrieve it by using the snow rake. It was a good opportunity to clean the entire roof of a foot of white stuff.

When warm weather finally arrives and the snow melts from the barn and house, it should rain tennis balls on Pentoga Road. I can think of at least three that are mired in deep snow and unreachable.

There's one of the balls, way up high by the chimney. Since we have a metal roof, climbing up to get it wouldn't be the wisest thing to do.

By the way, I'm not a horrible thrower, but use a hand-held device that launches the balls. Every now and then, one goes astray and ends up high in a tree or on the roof of a building. 

Neighbor Mike called and asked if I’d start a fire in the stove at his camp. He and his bride were on their way down from Marquette. I also cleaned the steps, turned on a few lights, and made sure the house was warm. Sargie and I visited Germaine and Mike last night after Sargie arrived home from work and had a nice visit.

The rest of Friday afternoon was spent cleaning and straightening the house. No doubt, the Christmas decorations will begin to come down over the next few days in our quest to return the house to it’s usual post holiday normalcy.

Sargie works late today and won’t be home until late evening. I think I’ll go ice fishing. A high of thirty is predicted before the temperatures head into the negative numbers for the next several days. A person has to make hay while the sun shines.

I’m going to boot Brutus outside for the day. He’s become quite the inside fifi dog this winter and a day of fresh air and chasing squirrels, imaginary or otherwise, will do him good.

Time to get another cup of coffee, listen to the news, and think some deep thoughts. After all, a man’s work is never done.

So are the tales from Pentoga Road… 

Granddaughter Emmy on Christmas morning

December 27, 2013 – Friday

-1 degrees/calm/clear

Pentoga Road

Coleman and Abigail

It’s currently quiet, but that’s going to change shortly. Andy and Mom are heading south today and though each packed last night, there’s little doubt that some last-minute shaking and moving will be going on. Come this afternoon, it will be back to  only Brutus and me keeping the home fires lit in the little house on Pentoga Road.

Andy and I headed to town yesterday where I visited the Verizon people and changed my cellular carrier. AT&T has been my carrier for years, but reception in this area is poor. AT&T’s signal is almost nonexistent. Verizon’s isn’t much better, but seems to be more available while traveling through the deep woods in the UP. The cost was about the same, so I though I’d try them for a couple of years.

I put a pork loin in the smoker yesterday for several hours after injecting it with honey and butter. Last night, I used my brand new, very used, meat slicer, to make deli cuts for sandwiches. I won’t brag… oh yes I will. Along with a little barbeque sauce, some homemade pickle slices, and the buns Sargie had purchased before coming home from work, it was to-die-for-good.

When I was a kid, there was a fellow, Big John, who ran a barbeque cart outside the low income projects in Peoria, Illinois. When Big John fired up the smoker, the entire south side of Peoria smelled wonderful, downright heavenly. When one took his first bite into Big John’s ribs or other pork goodies, he knew he’d arrived in Heaven.

I’m thinking… I could set up the smoker along Pentoga Road and sell to the people who drive the half dozen vehicles that travel by daily. Now if I could get Sargie to set up a lemonade stand, we could be downright, filthy, rich.

Don't worry, I still have all ten fingers... I think.

Mom and Andy packed last night. Mom seemed fairly organized while I believe Andy might have been a bit more scattered. It’s a Pennington boy thing… when we stay at someone’s house and they say, “Make yourself at home,” we take them at their word and tend to move right in and spread remnants of our belongings all over the place.

Andy’s older brother, Luke, is the most accomplished scatterer (<- new professorial word) of all the Pennington boys. He’s been known to leave a sock in one corner of a house, a t-shirt in another, and Lord only knows where his underwear might be. It’s a trait the Pennington men have inherited for generations on end.

Andy's using the new knife sharpener Sargie gave me. Grandma is assisting.

Sargie was home early last night. We spent the evening talking and watching Andy pack. Everyone was in bed by 10 last night.

We have to be at the airport shortly before noon today. The weather looks to be good for flying and hopefully, Mom will get to Indianapolis around 6 this evening. Andy isn’t scheduled to arrive in Houston until later. It will be a long day for both.

Neighbor Mike called yesterday and left a message indicating he’ll be down later today or tomorrow and mentioned something about ice fishing. It could well be on my things-to-do list for tomorrow. The high is to be near the freezing mark before the temperatures plummet once again. I see the thermometer’s to reach clear up to 3 below zero next Tuesday… for a high.

It’s time to throw another lawg on the far, splash some more coffee into the mug, listen to the news, and think deep thoughts.

If only you had my life, but then as we all know, a man’s work is never done.

So are the tales from Pentoga Road…

"Aubey Ann" (Aubrey) wishing everyone a Merry Christmas while playing Peek-a-Boo

December 26, 2013 – Thursday

0 degrees/partly cloudy/calm

Pentoga Road

And just like that… Christmas has come and gone for another year. It arrived before I had a chance to write my yearly newsletter, the first I’ve missed in the past thirty (or more) years.

Sargie and her sons, Cale, Shea, and Macrea

I don’t understand this time thing. The older I get, the faster time travels. When young, working, and racing to keep up with daily family life, the days crawled by. Work was a necessary chore that turned into a four decade test of endurance. Now, in my later years, there aren’t enough hours in the day and days in the week. We just celebrated the Fourth of July and suddenly, the New Year is upon us. Somewhere in there, Christmas sneaked in, came and went, much like a rotating door. No doubt it’ll be around again before we know it.

The snow keeps falling, usually an inch or two a night

Our Christmas and Christmas Eve were days that storybooks are written about. Macrea joined us early on the twenty-fourth and we spent the day talking and laughing.

I made super duper pancakes for breakfast on Christmas Eve

 

It wasn’t long before we were headed to the annual Milligan Christmas Eve gathering. This year, it was at cousin Nick’s, not far from Felch, Michigan.

And as in years past, there were countless plates of food and goodies stretching to the edge of the horizon with more selections than any one person can comprehend.

The other members of the family and the Milligan sisters made a special effort to welcome Mom and greet Andy. My youngest son had been to the annual gathering two years ago, but this was Mom’s first Milligan Christmas. By night’s end, there was little doubt that she was officially an honorary Milligan family member. They have that effect on all who walk through their door. 

Great niece, Brielle, was like a baby doll, wearing a new Christmas dress. She spent most the evening wandering through the forest of big people, happy to smile at anyone who talked to her.

Aubrey and Marley were attired in matching outfits and were so excited, as were Logan and Kiley, Max and Maggie. The little ones helped to ensure that us big people would remember how exciting it is when one remembers Santa is but a few short hours away.

Aubrey and Marley, along with Mommy and Daddy

Armed with Christmas wishes, we headed home late in the evening and it was well past midnight before the last light was extinguished on Pentoga Road.

Shea's family with Logan and Kiley in the front

I assumed Macrea and Andy wouldn’t be awake until later on Christmas morning, but when I came downstairs to fill the wood stove fairly early, both were awake and ready to discover what Santa might have left under the tree. Sargie and Mom sooned joined us and we spent the next hour opening gifts.

The traditional Christmas morning breakfast consisted of French Meat Pie. Macrea and Sargie had made thirteen over Thanksgiving and frozen each. As usual, the pies were delicious. Macrea departed later as he had to

meet Mel about twenty-five miles away and ride together back to Marquette. We hated to see him leave.

Almost six inches of snow had fallen during the night to grease the skids on Santa’s sleigh. Andy commandeered the four-wheeler and plow; I started the snow blower. Together, we cleaned the drive and back patio making them ready for the next snowfall.

It was time to go to sister Jeanne’s for the annual Milligan Christmas Day gathering. We enjoyed an afternoon of finger foods, sandwiches, and talking, all surrounded with an atmosphere of love and holiday spirit. I ended up playing the piano as the family sang Christmas carols. It was my favorite part of the holiday; an old-fashioned Christmas. No hype, no gimmicks. It was simply a peaceful time filled with family love and song. Perfect.

There's no lack of conversation between Mom and Louise

I set up Sargie’s new Kindle last night and she played with that. I read some news online, carried in wood, and it wasn’t long after 9 PM before we were in bed.

Sargie’s back to work today. Laundry is on the “things to do” list. I’m also in the midst of switching my cellular and landline from AT&T to Verizon, so there’ll be a trip made to town.

This is Andy and Mom’s last day in the North Woods. Both fly out tomorrow on the early afternoon flight heading to Minneapolis. Mom goes on to Indianapolis, Andy back to Louisiana. And just like that, Christmas is over for yet another year.

It’s time to throw another log on the fire and make a sandwich for Sargie’s lunch. No doubt, Mom and Andy will be up soon and so will begin another day.

But first, it’s time to get another cup of coffee and think deep thoughts.

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

So are the tales from Pentoga Road…

December 23, 2013 – Monday

8 degrees/snow showers/calm

Pentoga Road

It was a wild and wooly time in Packerland on Sunday. Though we came away without a victory, there was little doubt that Andy, Yooper Mark, or I, didn’t emerge as the real winners.

Thanks for the wonderful Christmas present, Andy. It was the best!

Yooper Mark was at the house around 9 Sunday morning. I have to admit; the three of us were like little boys on their first day of Christmas vacation; about to go sledding down a big hill after the first big snowfall of the season. Dressed in our snowmobile and ice fishing garb, we hugged and kissed Mom and Sargie goodbye and giggled our way out the front door to the truck.

In the drive, buckling up, ready to head to Title Town

A heavy snowfall accompanied us most of the way and there was one time when a car behind us decided to leave the road and visit the ditch. After a quick stop for a burger, we arrived at Lambeau Field with an hour-and-a-half to spare.

Even in wintry weather, Packer fans never turn down a good old fashioned tailgate party

Andy being checked by security

The game wasn’t really all that good. Though the Packers can be the NFC Division champions if they beat the Chicago Bears next week, really, none of the teams deserve the title. Detroit, Chicago, and Green Bay, all three, lost yesterday. Unless there’s no small amount of divine intervention from God, whoever wins the division won’t last long when they begin playing some real talent from the other divisions around the league.

We yelled, we coached, we cheered and boo’d, but despite our best efforts, the Packers managed to repeatedly shoot themselves in the foot; or in their case, all twenty-two of them. In the end, we ended up on the short end of the stick.

Ben Roethlisberger, #7, Pittsburg's quarterback

Even with a loss, it felt as though Christmas had arrived. Win, lose, or draw, it was fun to be in the big stadium with 80,000 other fanatic Green Bay fans. The wind continually whipped the heavy snow in our faces and the noise level was often deafening. It was Packer’s football, just the way it ought to be.

We didn’t arrive home until 11 last night. Brutus met us at the door with vicious barks and growls and I had to first identify myself so I wouldn’t have a bulldog wrapped around my face. I certainly don’t worry about a stranger walking into the house uninvited. That’s a good thing.

Mom and Sargie spent Sunday doing girl things. They went shopping, stopped for a Coke, and did whatever it is that girls do when they are completely unencumbered with us male folk. Sargie said it was a lot of fun.

Andy wants to get a haircut at Barber Bob’s later this morning. He also says he needs to do a bit of shopping. I want to stop by the Verizon store and shop for a new plan. ATT has poor reception out where we live, but Mel, who has Verizon, can sit in the living room and easily talk on her cell phone. Maybe it’s time to switch?

Going fishing this afternoon has entered our conversations, depending on what the weather is doing. Whatever it is, we’re not going to take life too seriously.

Meanwhile, I need to get another cup of coffee and think some deep thoughts. As you well know, a man’s work is never done.

So are the tales from Pentoga Road…