Isabella Herrara

October 14, 2014 - Monday
Mighty warm/breezy/sunny
North Waterboro, Maine

Congratulations to first-time Grandpa Yooper Brother Mark and Sheri, and of course, Sarah and Curtis, for the birth of Sarah and Curtis's daughter, Isabella. I haven't heard the weight and length, but I'm pretty sure she's too big to throw back. 

I just talked to Grandpa Yooper Brother Mark and he said both baby and Mama are home from the hospital and doing well.

Beauty and the Beast? Naw, Isabella and Grandpa!!

My time on the East Coast has drawn nigh and I'll be flying back to Sargie and Pentoga Road by way of Detroit, Minneapolis, and Iron Mountain, beginning at 6 AM Wednesday morning. My flight is scheduled to touch down in Iron Mountain around 9:41 tomorrow night. It's going to be a very long day.

I've had such a great time, but then, I have great sons, daughters-in-law, and especially wonderful grandchildren. How could a grandpa not enjoy himself?!

After school on Tuesday. Abigail is helping Coleman with his math homework.

Luke took me for a tour of his fire station late last week where he's the lieutenant of his crew. I was impressed. My little Lukie has really made a name for himself as an officer and firefighter.

 

Luke firing up the computer in his office.

This picture is hanging in the entrance of the fire station. That's Luke on the left on the third level.

I remained at Matt and Jessica's Sunday night. Matt and I were up bright and early and on the golf course shortly after the frost had melted.

Matt teeing off

We laughed and had a wonderful time. Poor Matt has the patience of Job. When one golfs with me, he has to watch where my ball lands, point me in the right direction before I swing, tell me how far away and in what direction the green is, and assuming I actually put the ball on the green, stand with the hole between his feet so I know where to putt. I see the ball just fine when it's directly in front of me, but once I hit it, it's gone and I immediately turn around and look at Matt's body language as an indicator how well I hit the thing.

Look at that form. I look and golf like a fisherman. It's no wonder Matt cleaned my clock. Still, I met my goal... to golf a legitimate par on one hole. That happened and I almost got a birdie on another... until I two-putted. Grrrr.

Matt and Luke met halfway between their houses so I might get back to Luke and Melinda's. I hated to tell Jessica, Emmie, and Matt, goodbye, but somehow, I don't believe it will be another year before we see them again.

The prisoner exchange that I'm sure went something like this... "You take him... You sure? You can have him. No, it's your turn, I had him last. I wonder what Andy's doing. Oh, yeah, he's up in Caribou. NO FAIR!"

I hung out with Luke in the yard Monday afternoon. He split several rounds of wood and we got that stacked.

I fill the Man Truck to transport firewood, Luke uses Coleman's Radio Flyer. There's still hope and no doubt, he'll progress as he matures.

Coleman and his buddy Willem, along with Guiness the Black Lab. Since it's partridge season and they live out in the woods, Luke requires the kids to wear hunter orange when they play outside so they aren't mistaken for game by a trigger happy hunter.

The suitcase is packed and I'm ready to head north and west. It's been a wonderful visit, but the families are all busy living life; just as it should be. It's time for Grandpa P to head west and fade into the sunset.

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

So are the tales from Pentoga Road, via North Waterboro, Maine...

Poor little Mattie. Daddy actually beat him on one hole. He won the other seventeen.