That dot, waaay out there (upper middle/right) is my ice shack.

January 6, 2014 - Tuesday

-14 degrees/clear/windy

Pentoga Road

What you see in the picture above is how close I got to my fish shack Monday morning. With the wind howling and the temperature around -20, I simply walked onto the lake to check and make sure the thing was still there, then turned around and went back home. The effort required to hoof through snow for the quarter mile simply seemed like too much effort. Am I pathetic or what?

That's going to be rectified here in about an hour. I'm going to spend the morning on the lake and will leave at the same time Sargie goes to work.

Other than a mere note concerning a trip to town so I could mail the computer, there is absolutely nothing worth mentioning about yesterday. I watched a couple of horrible movies on Netflix and kept the stove filled with wood. Honestly, I haven't been that lazy in years. 

The temperature at 10 AM Monday morning when driving to town. Add to that a strong wind and you'll get the idea.

I remember doing the same (without the movies) when I lived in the cabin. The weather was cold, I wasn't traveling, and I spent an entire week inside, mostly in my bunk, dozing, reading, and being completely lazy. I still regard that period of time as the biggest waste of life since birth. That's not going to happen again.

I do wish I'd have gotten the room in the barn built this past year. At least there'd be a warm place in which to make a mess. It seems I ran out of time and money, both essential ingredients for construction. Oh well, that's on the list of one of the more important things to do for this coming summer.

Speaking of summer, I've decided there's going to be some major renovations in the garden area. One, possibly both, of the long raised beds are going to be ripped up in favor of some other designs to accomodate the garden pond and waterfalls, and hopefully, the new potting shed that I hope to build onto the greenhouse. Also, there's a gazebo in the plans. The design is still in the planning stage, but it's coming together. 

I found this picture online and liked what I saw; not so much bending and the plants are closer to eye level.

One thing for certain; I've solemnly sworn that at least half of each day this coming summer will be set aside for more fun activities like kayaking, fishing, or hiking, even if it is up and down the road. But then, gardening and working in the yard is my passion. Sounds like a horrific summer to me... having to go fishing for half the day, playing in the garden and yard the other half. If only you had my life.

The Grandpas called yesterday morning from Sitka and I was able to digitally join them as we sat around the table to enjoy a good cup of coffee and even better fellowship. Seems things are pretty normal in Alaska. Uncle Bobby is getting ready to retire this coming summer. I'm hoping he and Jan will be able to visit on one of their swings through the lower 48. John and I talked gardening and Packers football. From Wisconsin and a retired educator, we speak the same language. Rod and Greg seem as busy as ever. Afterwards, I realized how much I miss my friends and those special grandpa times. 

Speaking of good friends, Yooper Brother Mark has been down and out with the flu these past few days. I just received a text saying he's back to work, but half his plant is shut down down to illness. I don't think I'm going to go visit the boy for a few days.

Sargie opens this morning and hopefully, will be home early this evening. She's going through the same motions as everyone else in the UP, putting one foot in front of the other and slogging through this cold weather.

I'm going fishing here in a bit. Otherwise? I'll keep the stove filled with wood and continue to think deep wintertime thoughts.

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

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...

My attempts at nighttime photography. The moon was so bright at 3 AM that I had to try snapping a picture out the back door. I don't see much in the picture, but I have less than perfect sight. What's your excuse?