A different view from the roof of the barn

August 16, 2014 - Saturday

67 degrees/cloudy/breezy

Pentoga Road

It's more than thirty degrees warmer this morning than last. What a meteorological yoyo we live in these days. 

Taken Friday morning when I still had the energy to make shadow people from the roof of the storage shed.

Friday began with an exam given by my new physician, a young boy right out of medical school. I knew my old doctor, Dr. Dan, was going to retire, but I wasn't prepared for the baby faced child who walked in. I've been examined by physicians who looked younger than my sons, but never my grandsons, and was prepared not to like him.

He knocked, entered the room, and the first words out of his mouth were, "Tom! Dr. Mitchell's (my old physician) most favorite patient!" I liked him already.

Hmm, he had goofy hair, greased up into a sea of mess on top of his head, the way kids wear their hair nowadays, but the boy certainly possessed a good personality and armed with a laptop computer, he proceeded to show me some facts and figures, lots of statistics concerning my health, all taken from previous exams.

The boy doctor said that for my age, I was in great physical condition. At that juncture, I decided I liked him a great deal. It was with a sincere handshake, a big smile, and a prescription to bring down my high cholesterol, that I promised to see him in February for my pre-Appalachian Trail physical. I think I'm going to like the UP's version of Doogie Howser and I can tell you right now, he has many many years before retirement comes his way.

The rest of the day was spent on the roof of the storage shed.

Ouch! Twice yesterday, the drill slipped from the head of the screw and came down on my thumb or index finger. Talk about hurt...

All the sheeting and trim are on and covered with plastic to protect it from the elements. I began around 10 AM and didn't finish until 8 last night. I don't mind telling you, the Alaska Professor was a tired boy.

Sargie made hamburgers, creamed cucumbers, and steamed yellow and zucchini squash and we had a feast for a late evening supper. 

I don't even remember going to bed last night, but I must have. I woke up there this morning. Talk about tired... I can't remember being so utterly exhausted in many years and would hate to count how many trips I took up and down that extension ladder. 

I'm going to make pickles this morning. There's a pickup truck full of wood that needs unloading and I should recheck my hiking gear. I'll be leaving in the early morning hours on Monday for my four day hike along Lake Superior, the equipment shakedown stroll in preparation for next spring's kickoff on the AT. Then, there's the mower that needs a belt. 

The list goes on and on, but then as we all know, a man's work is never done.

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...