April 7, 2014 – Monday

30 degrees/clear/calm

Pentoga Road

What a difference a few weeks can make. It wasn’t that long ago that I struggled to get out of bed in the mornings, mostly relying on the alarm to ensure we were conscious so Sargie could get off to work on time.

It was warm enough on Sunday that I could set the bedding plants I started from seed a few short weeks ago out on the back patio

Recently, I’ve been waking around 5 AM with my body eager to jump out of bed and get the day started. It appears the deep hibernation of winter is becoming history. It’s time to rock ‘n roll.

Sargie spotted the first robin of the year on Sunday

Saturday and Sunday were almost carbon copies of each other. I’ve tackled spring cleaning and rearranging the barn with a vengeance. My biggest accomplishments have been to mount a florescent light on the workbench so I can more easily see my work. Today’s plans include building a small desk that attaches to one side of the work bench so I can sit down to work on smaller jobs and have another clip-on lamp nearby to shine light directly on my project. I think both will work well.

I've still got a bit of work to do before it's clean.

We hosted some of Sargie’s family late Saturday afternoon. A cousin of the Milligan’s had passed away and the funeral was in Crystal Falls. We hoped some of the family might stop over after and we weren’t disappointed. Sargie’s older brother, Pat, and his wife, Debbie, along with Nancy, Jeanne, and Hollie, came for a visit. Sargie had made all kinds of snacks and we sat in the living room talking and laughing. I hope all come back soon.

Mark and Sheri stopped out Saturday evening and the four of us managed to get most of the world's problems solved. The only problem? Getting the world to listen!

Dr. Sheri was giving me lessons on the proper way to take one's blood pressure; "Feet flat on the floor, arm level, palm up..."

It appears we’re going to host the Mighty Milligan Labor Day doin’s next September. It’ll be our first major family gathering, one I’m looking forward to. Sargie’s done so much to the house and I’m eager for all her family to see it.

Sargie has had a good four days away from work. She’s worked in and around the house and was outside for a good portion of Sunday afternoon cleaning the inside of both cars. She also helped to gather sap Sunday afternoon.

Biker Chick Sargie, running wild, up and down Pentoga Road

Last night, Brutus, Sargie, and I, enjoyed a two-mile stroll down Pentoga Road. The sun was low in the sky, yet it was simply too nice to go inside.

Gathering sap has become a fun activity this year. With only sixty-five spouts, I can gather twice a day, about an hour each time with plenty of energy left for whatever else I want to do. Last year, I spent around six hours a day gathering in addition to boiling.

 

I just looked at the weather forecast and think I’ll begin boiling on Tuesday. Today and tomorrow both appear to be major sap days and I have close to a hundred gallons stored. Once I begin, I’d like to boil for a day or two before shutting down to start the gathering and storing process again.  I’ve never processed this way with so few taps, so I’m learning. Last year, once the sap began running, I never shut the boiler down. It ran continually for several weeks.

It’s time to wake up Sargie and get this day on the road. I’ll be taking my five-mile hike first thing this morning, then gather sap, work in the barn, and grade papers.

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

So are the tales from Pentoga Road…