Thursday, December 26, 2013



"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…





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