August 31, 2014 - Sunday
Terre Haute, Indiana

We went to visit Mom Saturday morning and found her in the same condition as the night before; the breathing tube still running down her throat and heavily sedated. I tried teasing her a bit and though she couldn't talk, she did open her eyes and give me "the look." Mom later told us that she didn't remember us being there. It's just as well. My jokes weren't all that funny.

Since our departure was hurried on Thursday and the car scheduled for four new tires, we used the time away from Mom to purchase a complete set of new Goodyear Eagle tires, usually $99 on sale for $59. The Kia is now sporting new shoes all the way around.

We arrived back at the ICU ward two hours later and found Mom sans breathing tube, sitting up, chatting away, and directing traffic. I couldn't believe it was the same person we'd seen earlier in the morning.

So the day was spent visiting Mom, doing a bit of shopping around town, and Sargie did some laundry and cleaning. When we left Mom around 8:30, she reminded us NOT to forget her hearing aids, her cell phone, or Kindle book. Yup, Mom is back.

We enjoyed supper last night here in the senior complex as person after person came by the table to extend their well-wishes for Mom. On several committees and chair person of more than one, Mom's a popular shaker and mover here at Westminster Village. As her son, I was very humbled and honored to pass on their messages.

We're to meet my sister and brother in law after while at IHOP for breakfast. After, we'll go see Mom and assuming she had a good night, we'll come back to the apartment, pack, and head the car north. If we don't leave today, it will be Tuesday before we drive home as there's no way we're going to fight holiday traffic on Labor Day. I'll drive on the long and empty stretches (hopefully) of interstate between congested areas, Sargie will navigate the urban areas and after dark. We'll definitely be driving west of Chicago so we can miss that traffic.

Time to get a cup of coffee and think about what I want to order for breakfast at IHOP. After all, a man's work is never done.

So are the tales from Pentoga Road, via Terre Haute, Indiana...

August 30, 2014 - Saturday
Terre Haute, Indiana

Good news! After several hours of preparation and finally, surgery, Mom emerged on the other side late last evening with the double bypass being called a success. Both doctors talked with us quite extensively and other than very minor problems, said Mom was very strong and came through in good shape.

We left Mom in the ICU late last night where she was peacefully sleeping. They are to bring her out of her induced sleep this morning, take the ventilator out, and begin the process of recovery and rehabilitation.

We were originally told Mom might be in a coma for up to two days, on the respirator the entire time, but as of last evening, that's all changed. Heck, my Mom could probably be the new fullback for the Green Bay Packers.

Sargie and I are on our way to the hospital. If things continue to go well today, we'll probably think about heading north bright and early in the morning. Today, other than visiting with Mom in very limited, short, increments, we're going tire shopping. Those on the Kia are beginning to show some wear and tear.

Thanks to all for your prayers, good thoughts, and well wishes. There's no doubt that all of them helped to bring Mom through. 

All is well in Terre Haute, Indiana.

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...

August 29, 2014 - Friday
Terre Haute, Indiana

My sister called Thursday morning and said that Mom is scheduled to undergo a double bypass heart operation today. Mom's been experiencing a heaviness in her chest since she came to visit last month and after extensive testing, it was found that a couple of her arteries are clogged. Mom's had stents put in a couple of years ago, but this is in another area and this time, a bandage won't do. She needs the real thing.

We're told that the procedure takes six hours and after, Mom will remain in a drug-induced coma in ICU for the next two days. 

After receiving my sister's call on Thursday, Brutus was delivered to the kennels, food for this weekend's Milligan gathering was dropped off at sister Holly's, and paperwork picked up so Sargie could take a family leave. When I arrived home, I found Sargie had packed everything and we were ready for the long journey south.

It was a 10 hour drive to Indiana and we arrived around midnight. Poor Sargie was about all done in after navigating through torrential downpours and heavy thunderstorms. 

My sister and brother in law, who live about forty miles from Terre Haute, are to meet us here at Mom's in a bit and we'll go out for breakfast. After, we'll be at the hospital with Mom before surgery and begin the day-long process of waiting.

So you know what I know. Prayers are appreciated. Thanks.

Darn, I missed it. This was hanging outside one of the local taverns... and people think we lead boring lives in the North Country.

August 27, 2014 - Wednesday

51 degrees/partly cloudy/calm

Pentoga Road

The past two days have been filled with fishing and working on the shed; neither worth writing about.

Al Gore wouldn't have liked this weekend article in the Iron Mountain Daily News. It said that in July, Iron River was the coldest place in the UP with a monthly average of 59 degrees.

Thankfully, progress on the shed has been much more successful than fishing. The roofing is installed and all seams and nails sealed with roofing tar. The flashing has been installed between the barn and roof and all that remains up above is to seal the top of the flashing. It's under the eave of the barn so I'm in no real hurry as long as it's done before cold weather.

I finished the ends of the shed on Tuesday. Both pieces were quadrangular with each side having a different length, but donning the magnifiers and triple checking my measurements, I made the right cuts the first time around. I felt like a construction god after!

Fishing... let's not even talk about fishing. With all the rain that's fallen, the panfish have been turning their tails on any lures or bait that's offered. I may go this evening, then again tomorrow morning early. 

I've been working on the porch swing and painted it yesterday. It should get hung today and I can cross that project off my list. 

So, we're busy on this end of the continent. Seems as though I get up in the morning and before I know it, I'm going to bed. Sargie's putting in long hours and has been working around the house and yard when she gets home. Thankfully, she's off on Thursday, but I know she'll be running all day in preparation for Saturday's gathering, something we're both looking forward to a great deal.

Not only is there jello wrestling, there's no shortage of wolves. I know they run through our property and am thankful Brutus stays close to the house. Even with his massive jaws, he'd be no match for a wild wolf.

Meanwhile, it's time to pick up the hammer and start putting trim on the shed. It ain't gonna do it by itself.

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

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...

A Bambi sneaks in front of the trail camera last week

August 25, 2014 - Monday

67 degrees/heavy rain

Pentoga Road

I was awakened around 4 AM by rain pounding on the metal roof overhead. I have no idea how much we received (it's still dark) but I wouldn't be surprised to find another two inches sitting in the rain gauge.

There goes a big ol' bear

Sunday was a real mixed bag of activities. Sargie had a hands-on optician workshop to attend so I busied myself working on her pallet porch swing. As anyone knows who has ever tried cutting or pounding a nail into a pallet, they are made of pressurized hardwood... and about impossible to drive a nail into. They are also extremely hard on saw blades, and that's if you don't hit a nail somewhere along the way.

I worked for three hours in the morning and almost two hours last night sizing the the swing to fit our front porch. We should be painting it over the next couple of days and will show some pictures when it's finished. 

Mark arrived around noon and we put on the rolled roofing. 

It wasn't a bad chore and went quickly. 

After he left, I used spray foam to fill any holes and gaps between the barn and the shed. It took almost three cans, but those places should be fairly critter proof, at least for now.

Sargie arrived home mid-afternoon and cleaned the garage. I felt guilty as I've been talking about doing it all summer long. She worked really hard, moved everything out from the walls, swept behind; even ran the wet/dry vac. Though the forecast is for nice weather, should we need the garage for a sitting area this weekend for the Milligan Labor Day Gathering, it will be available. 

I was going fishing this morning in my quest to supply enough filets for Saturday's meal. It appears that's not going to happen. Oh well, there's more than enough to do in the shop and with the storage shed.

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

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...

Saturday morning began with homemade blueberry pancakes. Coated with brown sugar, cinnamon, and smothered in our own maple syrup, they went down pretty easy.

August 24, 2014 - Sunday morning

65 degrees/cloudy/breezy

Pentoga Road

I wasn't going to write this morning, but old habits are often difficult to break. 

Saturday was a typical rainy day. I talked with the internet man who was to come out before noon. It was raining and his "climber," the person who scales tall buildings in a single bound, had taken off for Marquette rather than showing up to work, so we decided they should come later this week. 

Sargie slept in, enjoying a well deserved and much-needed rest. I continued working on uploading this next semester's class and in fact, finished last evening. Bring on the 2014/15 school year!

We went into town, then decided to drive over to Home Depot in Iron Mountain and purchase the needed rolled roofing and accessories for the storage shed. It was raining and we like to travel. Why not?

A couple of McDonald's burgers fueled our trip back home and last evening was spent watching television and eating Sargie's rice pudding that she'd made earlier. She made it just the way I like it... raisins, cinnamon, sugar... mmm. I floated mine in a big bowl of milk. Perfect.

Sargie has a four-hour, district-wide meeting of Vision Center employees today. I'm going to work on her project, a pallet/porch swing. She's done the hard work, sanding. I'm also going to work in the barn and begin the process of cleaning and putting things away. And, of course, there's the storage building. Now that I've purchased the roofing, there's always that option.

Someone asked about Brutus... he's fine. In fact, I don't think the pup knows he's missing any boy-parts. The incision is very clean with no signs of infection and looks to be healing nicely. I'm supposed to keep my bulldog quiet for ten days, no swimming or running. Yeah... that's like trying to corral a fart in a skillet. The poor guy can't understand why I won't play fetch with him and is dying to go to the lake for a swim; maybe later this week.

My coffee cup is empty and I've not yet listened to the news. I'd better get to it. After all, man's work is never done.

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...

ALST 300, Alaska Studies, is uploaded and ready. I see both sections of next spring's classes are already listed. I like that. 

Except for the two triangular pieces on the ends, the storage shed is enclosed.

August 23, 2014 - Saturday

67 degrees/fog/drizzle/breezy

Pentoga Road

A few days ago, we were in the fourth week of a dry spell. Rain finally began to fall last week; not much, but enough to ease the drought. I woke up at 3 this morning to rain pounding on the roof. It sounded as though a herd of people were just over our heads hitting the metal roof with hammers. The result? Two inches of needed precipitation. It didn't have to arrive all at once, but hey, we'll take it.

The garden, yard, and water table, should be in great shape going into fall.

Friday was about freezing, pickling, and building. I went into town early to purchase some needed supplies and stopped by the plant to gab with Yooper Brother Mark. He said he thought he'd be out a bit later and we could work on the storage unit. Knowing that, I stopped by the lumber yard and bought the OSB sheets to cover the sides of the building.

While waiting for Mark, I blanched four quart bags of green beans and put them in the freezer. 

After, I stuffed eight quart jars with cucumber slices, boiled and mixed the brine, and made a batch of bread and butter pickles. 

I was uploading material for the fall semester's class when Mark pulled into the drive. We were driving screws, cutting, and carrying wood within minutes.

First came finishing the installation of the roll-up door

Then came the sides. (Yeah, I know, I couldn't believe it either... that the walls I'd built could have been anything other than square. A few sheets required "trimming."

Mark decided we should name the building for Sargie; a place where she can call her own, go and have some quality girl-time. Mark and I laughed. Sargie smiled for the picture (shown below).

So we worked the afternoon away. Mark was the brains and much of the brawn. I was the go-fer boy and attempted to make his job as easy as possible. By afternoon's end, only the two triangular pieces on each end remained to be enclosed. I'll do those, plus start on the trim in the next day or two. There's rolled roofing yet to be added, a ramp, shelves to be built, and a coat of paint to slap on the structure. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel and believe me, after a summer of frustration trying to build this thing, it's the sweetest light I've ever seen.

The owner of the internet company is supposed to come this morning and see if he can discover why we're once again having intermittent service. His "climber" doesn't work today, so I'm not at all sure why he's even coming. All the working electronics are either on the roof (that is slippery and wet) or forty feet up in a spruce tree. The guy says he doesn't climb and I'm no monkey, so I may just call him in a bit and tell him to wait until next week. We've lived with it this long, another day or two won't kill us.

Sargie's off today and since the Milligan Family Labor Day Gathering meets here a week from today, I'm fairly certain Sargie is going to have all kinds of honey-do chores for me and I can't say a thing. She painted the hallway and stairwell while I was hiking this past week and it looks beautiful. Sargie's done her part and now it's my turn.

 I really need to clean and rearrange the barn in case it rains next Saturday. Cleaned, it would be a good place to put chairs and for people to gather. We're also going to fry some fish, meaning that I'll be out gathering meat for the table several times this coming week. Oh Lord, the stress and pressures I endure. If only you had my life.

But then, as every male will tell you, a man's work is never done.

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...

He better not even contemplate tangling with the 9,000 volt electric fence to get into the garden. On the other hand, it would be entertaining to watch.

August 22, 2014 - Friday

64 degrees/cloudy/mist/calm

Pentoga Road

I don't need to mention how really nice it's been to sleep between clean and dry sheets, snuggled with Sargie, and be nice and dry. I love hiking, backpacking, and camping, but there's something about one's own bed that can't be beat. 

I feel like someone, or something, is looking down on me each time I walk in the garden.

A yearling buck is running around the yard this early morning. He's been involved in a mock combat situation in the area where I've been landscaping, jumps up and down, snorts, then takes off on a gallop around the perimeter. It's fun to watch.

Thursday was all about Brutus loosing a couple of his family parts... well, that depends whether we're talking as a whole or singular. At any rate, his fathering days are at an end, not that he was all that experienced. With Baby Grady and the little girls occasionally visiting, I wanted to ensure that Brutus will always be the gentle giant he's known to be. The perfect kid's dog, having him neutered should ensure he always stays that way.

No worse for the wear of having body parts and a porcupine quill removed from his eye, Brutus woke up from his operation and begged for a treat. Nothing wrong with that pup.

I'd mentioned to the vet, a young lady new to Iron River, that Brutus had tangled earlier this summer with a porcupine and there was one quill the emergency vet couldn't remove behind his eye without doing major surgery. Could she have a try while he was under anesthesia? She did and here's what she gave me when I went back to town to pick up our puppy. It was stuck in the lining behind his left eye. That dog either has the patience of Job or he has absolutely no feeling in that block head of his.

I spent much of the day in the garden then later, freezing, blanching, or otherwise preparing to process most of the vegetables to eat this coming winter. 

The hiking equipment was put away, well, most of it, and the smelly stuff either put out on the line to air out or into the washer. My sleeping bag was the worst... an odiferous combination of damp duck feathers and sweaty male body. I hung it out, but it will go into the washer later today and thoroughly cleaned before being hung out to dry and later compressed and put away.

Sargie was home last night and we enjoyed a supper of tuna salad, fresh tomatoes, and the last head of cauliflower from the garden. It was the perfect summertime meal.

Its getting hard to walk between the raised beds.

Sargie works early today and should be home early tonight. I'm going to finish my school preparations today, make pickles, and hopefully, will start to put on the siding onto the storage shed. I hope to get it boxed in in the next week or so. In fact, Yooper Brother Mark just called asking if I was up for a day of working on the shed. You bet!

Neighbor Mike and his son, Dr. Paul, working on their camp across the road and up the hill.

But first, it's time for another cup of coffee. After all, a man's work is never done.

Brussel sprouts

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...

Spray Falls in Picture Rocks National Park along Lake Superior

 August 21, 2014 - Thursday
67 degrees/cloudy/calm
Pentoga Road

I arrived home last night around 5:30 PM. The trek through Picture Rocks was okay. I managed to get turned around more than once and there's at least six miles hiked that weren't necessary. I got to enjoy the trek from on and off the established trail. 

The weather was less than ideal and Tuesday set an all-time record for total precipitation, 1.9 inches. Still, other than slogging through some ankle-deep mud, the rain was almost enjoyable in a perverse sort of way.

I met some wonderful people on the trail. All were very nice and more than one pointed me in the right direction. I'll let the pictures tell the rest of the story. I attempted to put them in chronological order. Certainly Uncle Terry and Pat will recognize many of the landmarks.

A photography club preparing for a day hike out of Munising. I was picked up by a shuttle in the parking lot and transported to Grand Marais, fifty miles to the north.

The start

Where Uncle Terry and I spent one night several years ago on our hike.

I picked wild blueberries to go with my oatmeal for breakfast

Georgia and Shawn... married just two days and on their honeymoon

Filtering water from Lake Superior

Pat and I stayed in this campground two years ago and in fact, back then, I attached my hammock to these very trees.

The end of the trail is at the far end of the horizon... the land you can barely see.

Julie and Bob. Julie's a 3rd grade teacher; Bob works for a wood manufacturing company.

Cassie and Rowan

Looks like something I drove during my college years. I have no idea how it came to rest way out in the woods.

I think I tripped over every root and rock on the entire trail. These guys are not my friends.

My journey began the previous day way down on that furthest tip of land

A tourist/sight seeing boat from the mainland. That boat was manufactured by Allen Marine in Sitka, Alaska. 

It rained for most of the time I was on the trail.

There are advantages to getting off the trail. One is that I discovered these beautiful water falls.

Wild raspberries were abundant. I often plucked them from the vines as I walked along.

So it was a good trek and I found out what I needed to know; if I could/should attempt a long solo hike on the Appalachian Trail next spring. On this trip, I experienced many of my limitations with less than perfect sight. I missed the trail several times and though I can't say I was ever lost, there were instances when I didn't know exactly where I was. I fell over rocks and roots and managed to bang my shins on branches and trees that had fallen over the trail and were out of my line of sight.

All that being said, I think I'll put the Appalachian Trail and any more long distance solo hiking on hold until the next lifetime. It will give me something to work for and I'll enjoy it even more when the time arrives. 

Until then, I'll continue to do my five-mile road trek each morning, read each and every issue of Back Packer Magazine, and dream the dream.

Meanwhile, the garden needs tending, there's a shed to finish, and tons of wood to put up before winter arrives.

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

The end.
Including making some wrong turns (I slogged through five unneeded miles of woods on Tuesday alone) and not exactly knowing where I was, I hiked close to fifty miles in two-and-a-half days.

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...