February 21, 2014 – Friday

24 degrees/cloudy/very strong winds

Pentoga Road

Any hint of spring we’ve enjoyed the past couple of days left earlier this morning as the cold front that brought the latest round of snow and wind moved further to the east. Looking at the back patio, source of the official Pentoga Road Weather Bureau estimates, we must have received six or eight inches of new snow, give or take a few inches. It came down so hard, wet, and heavy, that had it been very far below freezing, the accumulation would have been much greater. Now we’re left with growing drifts as the wind continues to howl.

Thursday was a fun day. I dropped Sargie off at the beautician’s in Iron Mountain and made my way to have the front windshield replaced on the Kia. Armed with my  Kindle, I fully expected to sip coffee and read for the next two hours while waiting.

I settled into the waiting room and began talking with my newest friend, Jeff. You ever meet someone who you just feel as though you’ve known your entire life? That was Jeff. Over the next two hours, we talked about tractors and backhoes, camps, four-wheelers, the best place to purchase ATV tires, wolves, hunting… you name it, we probably touched on the subject. I hated to see him leave, but we exchanged email addresses and phone numbers. No doubt, Jeff and I will run into each other again somewhere down the road. I enjoyed his company a great deal.

Amanda, the manager who was sitting on the other side of the counter, and I began talking. About the age of my sons, she told me of her young daughters, husband, and how she ended up managing an auto glass store. I told her about Sargie and how I came to relocate in the Upper Peninsula from Alaska. What little time remained flew by and suddenly, the car was finished and I needed to go pick up Sargie and continue our day. I never thought that having a windshield replaced could be so much fun, but it was yesterday. (I know, I need to get out more.)

Sargie was walking towards the auto glass place and though I couldn’t see her, I  recognized her lime green winter coat. I pulled over and asked if she wanted to go for a ride. Seconds later, we were on our way.

We picked up a few needed things in town before continuing onto the Chinese buffet. I swore I wouldn’t eat too much; I always do, and as in times past, I did. That last trip to the dessert bar for one last scoop of rice pudding and a couple of fried sugar rolls put me over the top. Walking out, I took a silent solemn oath that I would never eat again.

The rest of the day was quiet. We made our way home well before the snow began to fall. I exercised Brutus and got the wood carried in for the night. Sargie and I spent last evening watching commercials combined with a bit of Olympic figure skating.

I’ve been ordering berry bushes and garden seed in anticipation of some kind of growing season ahead. Last night I purchased three arctic kiwi plants, a dozen double hollyhock roots (flowers), two Goji berry bushes, two thornless gooseberry bushes, forty sets of Norland potatoes (supposed to be scab resistant), and a partridge in a pear tree.

I’ve already ordered two Russian varieties of tomatoes that I’ve pondered about for a couple of years, also a black cherry tomato variety. Since Sargie loves to graze from the garden in the summer months, I’m concentrating on varieties that will allow us to do just that… walk through the beds picking and eating as we go. Stay tuned. This could be the most lame-brained idea I’ve ever had, but then, no one other than my mama ever accused me of being overly brilliant.

So with all that being said, I guess I ought to move on and pour another cup of coffee, possibly think and few deep thoughts, and eat something for breakfast before I head outside to plow. Oh, that’s right, I’m never eating again. Never mind. Oh, if only you had my life.

Time to get busy. After all, a man’s work is never done.

So are the tales from Pentoga Road…        

A bulldog can't begin the day without looking his very best.