January 24, 2014 – Friday

0 degrees/cloudy/windy

Pentoga Road

There’s really nothing to write about this morning.

Due to the cold and windy conditions, I skipped walking my five miles on Thursday morning. That was a mistake. Getting out of my regular regimen of activity set the stage to live like a sponge the rest of the day. The only thing that seemed awake was my appetite, only because the rest of me was so lethargic.

Oh, I graded a few papers, but mostly, I grazed in the kitchen, watched a B movie that was absolutely horrible… and this coming from a guy who actively seeks out B grade movies. I took a nap then dozed for another hour.

I did sneak into town to get the ice auger. Usually I can make half a day out of going to town if I want. Yooper Brother Mark had a dentist appointment and Ann had too much work to listen to me blather. I was soon headed back to Pentoga Road.

The wood box was almost empty. Oh Lord, I’d have to expend all that energy. Normally at my side and busting to go outdoors, Brutus wasn’t interested in any activities either. When I finally put on my coat, hat, and mittens, he remained lying by the stove with a look that told me I should go on ahead. He’d be happy to remain where he was and wait for me.

And so the day went. About the most energy that was summoned on Thursday was heating up a pan of beef soup for supper last night. It seemed stressful, but I managed.

I slept well last night and barely awakened at 3 AM to fill the stove with wood and it was difficult getting up this morning with Sargie. Yes, indeed, the dog days of winter are firmly in place.

Being inactive is not going to happen again today. I see the wind is gusting to 25 mph this morning, but I don’t care. The old Alaska Mountain Man is coming out of his self-imposed hibernation. I’ll be riding with Sargie partway to work and hike my usual five miles back. After, there will be papers to grade and phone calls to make. I will hike and remain active. Oh yes, by all that is holy, I’ll hike like the wind, if not into it.

But first, I might have to take a quick nap and dream the dreams of a spring that is promised to come…  of a beautiful garden, red ripe tomatoes… of humming birds humming, blue birds flitting, and bumble bees bumbling.

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

So are the tales from Pentoga Road…