The newest addition to the Pennington family, Emmie, is growing by leaps and bounds.

December 17, 2013 – Tuesday

7 degrees/cloudy/calm

Pentoga Road

It’s a happy time in Packer Nation this morning. Since the Ravens beat the Detroit Lions last night, the Packers need only win their next two games and they’ll be NFC Central Division champions. Aaron Rodgers is due to come back after six weeks of being inactive due to a broken collar bone and basically, we’re getting healthier as a team. Perhaps our timing is good? One might say perfect? Stay tuned. All I really know for sure is that come Sunday, Andy, Yooper Brother Mark, and I, will be at Lambeau cheering on our favorite football team.

Currently, it’s almost thirty degrees warmer this morning than last. As well imagined, I didn’t venture too far outside yesterday. Brutus and I played fetch, I gathered the mail and brought in wood, but mostly, I remained in the house. We received two or three inches of very light and fluffy snow during the day; just enough that I should probably clear the drive later today.

Monday’s primary task was attempting to coax a few more papers from some procrastinating students before last night’s deadline. It appears one or two simply fell short and that’s too bad. I can teach and coach them, cheer everyone on, but I can’t do their work for them. Oh well, let the grades fall where they may.

I received an email from a student yesterday that requested to be in my graduate class this coming semester. The capacity is set at thirty students and he’d been wait-listed, which means it’s overflowing. That’s in addition to my regular undergraduate class for teacher certification. I wonder, in the end, how many sections/students there’ll be? I thought this past semester was full and busy. It appears next might be more so.

Yooper Brother Mark came out for a visit last night bearing gifts, jars of Sheri’s homemade sauerkraut and a large quart jar of applesauce. Mmmm. We’ll make short work of both while Mom and Andy are here.

Speaking of Mom, she’s due to arrive at the Iron Mountain International Jet Complex (better known as Ford Airport) tomorrow shortly after noon. Sargie and I are both excited about her arrival that will officially signal the beginning of the Christmas season for us on Pentoga Road.

Sargie’s off today and intends to finish wrapping Christmas presents. She says we’re also going to clean. I think the house looks just fine, but Sargie has other ideas of what the word “clean” really means.  I guess this means the fishing stuff I’ve been working on will have to be removed from the dining room table. When it comes to interior home decorating, Sargie’s priorities and mine are often completely opposite, but hers usually take precedence.

So with all that being said, it’s time to pour another cup of coffee, throw a log of the fire, listen to the news, and think deep thoughts.

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

So are the tales from Pentoga Road…