I'm ready to head out on Saturday's five-mile hike

January 26, 2014 – Sunday

-2 degrees/calm/snow

Pentoga Road

I had Saturday’s log and part of today’s written when it suddenly disappeared. I’ve conducted a computer-wide search and have come to the conclusion that it was abducted by aliens. My writing is not on the desktop, in the document file, or anywhere else on the computer. I considered having a hissy fit, but that would only cause Brutus to think I needed him and then I’d have a huge bulldog trying to help. He occasionally pushes enough of my buttons, I don’t need his fat nose trying to push keys on the computer. Oh well, one more time…

Friday was the polar opposite of Thursday. I awakened determined that I’d not let another day go to waste. The day started with a five-mile walk. After Thursday’s bout of gluttony and sloth, the miles rolled under my boots.

Once home, I spent time on the phone with the Maine retirement system and got my retirement set up to begin in July. They are sending a packet of papers that need to be signed, but otherwise, that process should be completed.

A call to Social Security was made. Using multiple calculators, I learned that due to something called the Windfall Elimination Act, I’ll only receive about a third of what I’m due. It seems that if one works for a state (in my case, Maine and Alaska) that doesn’t contribute to Social Security, even though an individual has contributed and has enough quarters, he’s penalized substantially. It’s a typical Federal Government act… penalize the working man and give the rest away. No wonder unemployment is so high… there’s little incentive to work.

Saturday was a very cold and windy day. I started by talking with Matt and Emmie via video. We had a good cooing session. Emmie is the spitting image of Matt and there’s no denying her daddy. Matt and I also found time to talk big people talk and it was good to catch up.

Hmm, perhaps a photo shoot for Esquire in the offing? 

I also had a wonderful video session with Josh, Ellie, Wyatt, and Cody. All were in the backyard of their Old Saybrook, Connecticut, home playing in the snow. As much as I often long for the good old days, modern technology certainly allows me to keep in touch with, talk to, and see, my family. I like that. I like that very much.

I once again rode with Sargie partway to work and walked home. I was walking straight into a gusty 20 mph wind and later found the wind chill was well under -30.

The north wind had the flags sticking straight out

I tried wearing my Noatak beaver skin cap and a face covering, but honestly, both were entirely too heavy for such warm weather conditions.

I spent the rest of the day clearing the drive, working up wood, and later, came in the house to read and grade papers.

I’d set bread dough out to rise Friday night in preparation of baking it on Saturday. The bread tastes delicious, but honestly, the aroma is as good or better. A wood fire, the whiff of a fresh cup of coffee, and being surrounded by the aroma of baking bread on a cold winter day are all key ingredients to a feeling of contentment that words can't describe.

I managed to get the laundry washed, dried, and put away yesterday. Other than missing a sock, we’re good to go for a few more days. I’m relatively certain the same alien that stole my writing probably took off with my sock.

Sargie’s home today. She had to close the Vision Center Saturday night and didn’t pull into the garage until well past 9 PM. I doubt we’ll do too much earth shattering; probably take a drive into town this afternoon, but otherwise relax and enjoy each other’s company.

I’m going to get this uploaded before it disappears again then go for a walk. After all, a man’s work is never done.

So are the tales from Pentoga Road…

Brutus's house is becoming more of a cave buried in the snow