April 4, 2014 – Friday

29 degrees/calm winds/heavy snow

Pentoga Road

The past few days of relative warmth have once again given way to the last gasps of winter. We’ve had a real mix of stuff in the past twelve hours. First it was snow, then heavy rain fell intermittently throughout the night, and once again, heavy snow is falling. The last I checked, we’re to receive 6 to 8 inches before this latest system finally moves on.

We were on the road early to Green Bay Thursday morning. With a dire forecast of heavy wintery mix to begin later in the day, returning home early wasn’t an option, it was a necessity.

Our first stop was at Fleet Farm where I purchased a new tray, or tub, for my dual-tire wheelbarrow. Along with either of the four-wheelers and the Ford tractor, it’s probably the most used implement year round. The minus degree temperatures of these past couple of winters had made the old tray brittle and the fire wood hitting the sides had caused big cracks and holes. This new tub seems to be rubber rather than plastic, so maybe it will be more durable.

We did a drive-through at Sam’s Club for needed supplies. When we exited, freezing rain was falling along with a smattering of snow. Sargie and I made an executive decision that we’d stop at Harbor Freight to pick up the solar panels, the main reason we traveled to Green Bay, then head home. Neither of us wanted to be caught in this spring storm.

And that’s what we did. I purchased the solar panel and also a propane welding torch. I didn’t know that one could weld with propane, but with a fistful of coupons, including one for 25% off, it cost mere dollars to find out. Stay tuned. I love to weld, but have absolutely no skill or knowledge of the craft.

We arrived home shortly after 3 Thursday afternoon. Since the day had been cold and windy, I assumed the sap hadn’t run so I was surprised when I saw several bags full. It took over an hour to run the sixty-five trees and I now have one forty-gallon container full of sap. As soon as I’ve stored a hundred gallons, I’ll begin to boil. It takes about forty gallons of sap to make one gallon of syrup, so I can gauge about how much I’ll be making as I collect.

The storm arrived around 8 last night and began as snow. I was awakened several times during the night by heavy rain pounding the metal roof overhead. It’s since changed back to snow and is to continue until early tomorrow morning. Sargie was forced to call into work saying she wouldn’t be in. As much as she wanted to go and loves her job, we both agreed it would be foolhardy for her to attempt the drive.

I imagine today will be a lazy one. I’m going to catch up on grading assignments and begin to work on this coming summer’s session. I’d like to get all that out of the way so when it’s time to plant garden and play with the backhoe, I won’t have to be spending time inside preparing.

I know Sargie wants to play some cards and no doubt, we’ll find a good movie or two to watch. You know, it sounds like a near-perfect day.

It’s tough, but sometimes you have to take one for the team.

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

So are the tales from Pentoga Road…