February 27, 2015 - Friday
-22 degrees/clear/calm
Pentoga Road

Happy birthday, a day late, to my youngest son, Andy on reaching the big THREE - OH! Andy's been working out in the Gulf of Mexico and is readying to head to Alaska to begin work on the new Shell rig in the Chukchi Sea... my old stomping grounds. Happy birthday buddy. I love you.

The days are getting longer and the temperatures warmer. This is the warmest beginning of a morning we've had so far this week, a mere 22 degrees below zero. If the weatherman is to be believed, Sunday's high is predicted to hit twenty-five. Originally, the extended forecast was for normal temps, but I see now that the thermometer is to plunge back to the negative numbers the middle of next week. This weekend is just a teaser for promised days to come.

I hoped the rural mail delivery man would bring my Mac computer yesterday, but it wasn't to be. I even hung around outside during his normal delivery time. Imagine my disappointment when he drove straight ahead to the mailbox alongside the road rather than pull into the drive. I wiped away the tears and sullenly shuffled back into the house.

I've been tracking the computer ever since Vince mailed it last Monday. It went from Madawaska, Maine, to Scarborough, Maine, then entered a gray zone... "In transit." Well, shoot fire, what's that mean? In transit? That could have meant it was on it's way to Anchorage, Hong Kong, or Peoria. Finally, on Wednesday, a message came across saying it had landed in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. I could see that package. I could almost taste it.

Then came another message... it was in Kingsford, Michigan, a mere forty miles away and was "in transit." I hoped that it might reach our local post office in time to be delivered yesterday, but no such luck. It will be here today, oh yes, by all that is holy, IT WILL BE HERE TODAY.  

I made my way into town yesterday morning and stopped for a visit with Yooper Brother Mark. Since the plant seemed to running smoothly and he didn't seem to need my expertise and advice concerning life's mysteries, I left Mark and his assistant, Ann, and made my way to the thrift store to purchase another pair of $3 skis. I ran over the tip of one on the Clam, cracking it, and it needs to be replaced.

The last stop of my tour was at Gloria's to purchase bait. Poor Gloria. She said I was the first person she'd seen Thursday and that business had been lousy. No one is fishing. It's just too cold. We talked for a few minutes and I finally bade her goodbye. I needed to be home should my computer arrive.

We already know the computer story. Failing its arrival, I strapped on my hiking boots and walked five miles in an attempt to erase the agony and pain of having to wait one more day. The walk lifted my spirits and I felt just a bit of spring in my step. My thoughts were on finding someone to hike to the bottom of the Grand Canyon with. Right now, Mom seems to be the best candidate. Approaching 88 years of age, I'm pretty certain that if she gets on the right training program, she can be ready to go in a year, possibly two. The only problem; I'm not sure I could keep up with Mom. Since she had her heart bypass surgery last fall, she's a goin' concern. 

I carried in wood, played with the dog, and once again took up my clipboard, the one that holds the sketches of new designs for the garden. I think I know how/where I'm going to grow my vegetables this summer while the old garden is torn apart. More about that in a future writing.

Sargie had a beautician's appointment after work last night and arrived home later in the evening. I had an upset stomach and bedtime came early for me. Thankfully, whatever it was seemed to pass during the night and I feel 100% this morning.

We're in really good moods around here today. Sargie has vacation to use before she loses it, so she'll be off beginning Saturday through all of next week. She's looking forward to some well-deserved R&R. I'm looking forward to her company. 

I'll ride with Sargie partway to work this morning and walk five miles home. There are some papers to grade and that ski to replace on the Clam. The postman should deliver the computer sometime this early afternoon. After playing with it for a bit, I'm hoping to take off for the lake and get in a couple of hours of ice fishing before day's end. Sargie closes tonight, so it will be a long one for her.

It's time to think a few deep thoughts and pour another cup of coffee.

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

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...