April 17, 2014 – Thursday

31 degrees/heavy snow/windy

Pentoga Road

# 500 post of Tales from Pentoga

And to think that last week at this time, I was planning on setting out half a dozen tomato and pepper plants protected by Walls of Water in the garden. The circular walls, filled with water, collect and store the sun’s heat, keeping the delicate plants safe from freezing temperatures and frost. Right now, I’d have to dig down through a foot of snow to get to the soil.

The snowmobile was sitting on bare ground eighteen hours ago

I have no idea how much snow this latest storm has produced. According to my scientific snow calculator, the handle on the snow shovel that is leaning against the house, it appears there could be ten inches, maybe more, possibly less, that’s fallen over the past eighteen hours.

What’s really strange is that a high of 60 degrees with sun is forecast for Easter Sunday and it’s to be 65 and sunny for next Monday. We’re certainly on a meteorological yoyo string this spring.

Brutus will be delighted this weekend once the snow begins to melt. Lake Pentoga should approach record proportions (I’ve only been keeping records for one year, so any water that is higher than last year qualifies.) Our snub-nosed pup thinks he’s an albino Labrador Retriever when he’s around water and will be confined to the outdoors so our home doesn’t smell like “wet dog” during the wet season.

Wednesday was spent worrying about getting Sargie home from work. We’d agreed that I would call if/when the snow began falling in earnest. Neither of us wanted her to drive in the conditions in which she was forced to navigate during last week’s storm.

I spoke to her a couple of times during the morning hours and even after the snow began, wasn’t worried as the roads remained wet, but bare. Towards mid-afternoon, I noticed the snow sticking and called, saying it was time. Her supervisor understands these things and usually tells Sargie to get going before the driving gets dangerous.

Sargie had to stop several times on her way home to clean the sticky snow from the windshield. It was falling so fast that the wipers couldn’t keep up. Still, she pulled into the drive just as the storm began dumping even more snow. The timing couldn’t have been better.

Most of Wednesday was consumed with grading and reading final projects that are pouring in from my classes. I’m managing to keep abreast of them, but more than four hours were spent yesterday with my nose inches away from the computer screen. These next two weeks are going to be busy ones, then there’ll be a week’s break before the summer session begins.

Thankfully, Sargie’s off today so we don’t have to worry about any travel and that’s a good thing; the plow, or any other vehicle, has yet break a path on Pentoga Road. I imagine it will be tonight or tomorrow morning before anything comes through.

The area schools are closed. It’ll be next Labor Day before the munchkins are released for summer break at the rate the snow days have been used. I am so grateful I no longer have to worry about such things. Yup, retirement is a good thing.

At some point today, I’ll go outside and begin shoveling and plowing the drive. Both are going to be chores since the snow is so wet and heavy. Otherwise, I’ll read and grade final projects. No doubt Sargie and I will enjoy being snowbound and talk a goodly part of the day away. Hmm, could a nap be in my future? Maybe.

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

So are the tales from Pentoga Road…