Macrea and Grady came to visit Thursday evening

December 19, 2014 - Friday

-4 degrees/clear/calm

Pentoga Road

It's nice sitting here by the Christmas tree; the subtle lights, soft Christmas music playing in the background, the fire crackling in the stove. Macrea's sleeping on the couch across the room and Grady's still slumbering in his crib upstairs in our bedroom. Though I'm sure Mom's probably awake, she's still in bed, probably enjoying her own quiet time. Sargie's getting ready for work and I'm enjoying the peace and quiet of this early morning hour. Somehow, it seems fitting for this Christmas season.

Thursday was a busy one on Pentoga Road. After Sargie left for work, Mom and I ventured into town to run a few errands. I dropped off something at the plant for Yooper Brother Mark, we did a bit of shopping, and I stopped to purchase minnows so I could go ice fishing later in the day.

Mom's not quite sure what to think about two dozen minnows swimming between her feet on the way home.

Going ice fishing was a mere dream after Sargie called saying Macrea and Grady were on their way from Marquette, that she and Macrea were going to make French meat pies, and would I get out the pork sausage from the freezer we'd earlier purchased and brown it over the propane burner in the garage.

I spent the rest of the afternoon browning fourteen pounds of frozen pork sausage. Strange how I can sit atop frozen water for hours while fishing and not get cold, yet I almost froze to death while browning sausage over a high flame in the garage.

Mom and I later watched the Bells of St. Mary's on Netflix. I well remember Mom and Dad taking my sister and me to the theater when I was little to watch Bing Crosby and Ingrid Bergman successfully save a small parochial school. 

Sargie arrived home later in the afternoon with Macrea and Grady following shortly after. 

After a quick dinner of split pea soup and corn bread, mother and son got got busy making French meat pies while Mom and I played with Grady.

No matter how hard he tried, Grady couldn't get the one knee under him to crawl over to his buddy, Brutus. Futility finally gave way to frustration and then to tears.

Everyone slept well last night. Macrea and Grady are heading home this morning, Sargie's working, and Mom and I will once again hold the fort.

I think I may go ice fishing this afternoon... try to put some meat on the table. Other than that, I have my Christmas letter to finish, and of course, there's always wood to carry in.

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

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...