Seen while visiting the hood and waiting at the drive-through at the local McDonald's on Thursday. I guess there's no reason why a person can't drive her horse through.

July 11, 2014 - Friday

58 degrees/cloudy/breezy

Pentoga Road

Between my computer being slow and the internet slow or nonexistent, I'm frustrated. The computer is old and has been extensively used and abused. The internet? Who knows? It's worked fine since they placed the antenna up in the top of the spruce tree, but for whatever reason, it begins the day strong, becomes weaker, and by the time evening arrives, it's all but completely disappeared. 

Thursday was a good one. Sargie had the day off and worked inside for most of the morning. I started in the garden and later, resumed work on the base of the storage unit.

I was feeling good as I measured and pounded away. The outside 2x6's went on as planned, nice and level, but when it came to attaching the last one... it missed the corner sill by almost six inches.

I measured and remeasured. My work looked to be correct. What the heck? It was then I discovered the barn runs downhill by almost six inches in 27 feet. I guess I shouldn't be surprised. Nothing else on this place is square or level, why not the barn?

I called Mississippi Brother Garry who walked me through the next steps consisting of attaching a new sill, square and level, onto the outside of the barn from which to hang the floor joists. 

I needed more lumber and Sargie wanted to go to town, so we took in the Blazer. While driving past Yooper Brother Mark's plant, we saw the truck was filled with firewood. 

Summer Munchkin Soccer is in full swing

Sargie later drove the Blazer home, tailgate down, filled with lumber. I followed her in the old pickup.

Here's to 'ya, partner

Sargie unloaded while I split and worked up the bigger pieces of wood. 

No, the Man Truck is NOT for sale. I've worked forty-two years to own such a vehicle. Sorry.

In the end, we swept out the bed of the truck and took it right back to town. Another two loads should see the second bin of the outside woodsheds filled. I'll begin filling the brown storage shed after that.

Sargie said she'd mow the yard and didn't have to mention it twice! 

I returned to working on the base of the storage unit until I found myself tired and doing sloppy work. It was shady where I was working, I couldn't see worth a darn, my patience was growing thin, the mosquitoes were attacking from every angle, and I found myself thinking, "That's good enough," after I'd made yet another mistake. I knew it was time to quit.

The new sill being installed (level) on the bottom of the barn.

I used the trim mower while Sargie finished the yard on the rider. At one point, I didn't see a rock and had the thing bounce off the foundation of the house and hit me in the forehead causing a bunch of bleeding, but no pain or real damage. 

Right between the eyes. I'm telling everyone Sargie did it.

Sargie works late today and won't be home until well after 9 tonight. I've got berries to put up first thing this morning then papers to read and grade. After that, I'll need to clear away a corner inside the barn to attach a board so that I can finish putting the sill onto the outside. As I keep saying, I have until snow falls to finish, so it will happen... I hope.

There are enough treated 2x6's to finish the floor. Just like the movie, Field of Dreams... "Buy them and it will get built," or something like that.

I'm also having a backhoe attack. My machine is sitting out there in the side yard begging to be used. I might have to start it and dig up some dirt just to get fresh gas through the carb... yeah, that's it.

Oh, so much to do, so little of me. But then I'm not surprised.

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

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...