One of our many trails. If Lake Pentoga fills with water, this will be the far side of it, stretching several hundred yards to the back of the property.

April 11, 2015 - Saturday morning
23 degrees/clear/calm
Pentoga Road

Once again, there's a huge anomaly with the weather. Yesterday at this time, it was barely below freezing, snowing, and windy. Today, it's the opposite. Despite the multiple inches of snow that fell, I'm relatively sure all of it will be gone by today's end. With temperatures forecast to be in the upper 50's accompanied by abundant sunshine, there's a good chance we'll see the return of beautiful spring weather. In fact, Sunday's high is predicted to top out near 70 with warm temperatures to follow all of next week. My gardening trigger finger is getting itchy.

With the Blazer locked into four-wheel drive, Sargie made it to work in good shape yesterday. She said the roads were slippery and not very good in many places. The main thing is, she made it safely.

I spent most the morning cleaning the drive and patio. I knew I didn't have to... that warmer weather would do it for me, but I paid big bucks to have that drive paved. I like to be able to look at it! 

Barely clean

Yooper Brother Mark and Sargie, both, accused me of simply wanting to play in the snow... and there's that. After a long, dark, cold, winter, almost anything is better than sitting on the inside looking out.

Two hours later

Noon came and with it, a self-imposed spate of grading papers and final projects. With the Mac still being repaired, I'm attempting to spread all the reading throughout the day. 

I ordered a set of tires for the small Yamaha (blue) four-wheeler. They are much heavier than what are on there now with much more aggressive tread, something that should be beneficial since it is only two-wheel drive. Both ATV's will sport new rubber this year. 

The sun was threatening to come out of exile. Could it be? Suddenly, the temperatures jumped ten degrees and within half-an-hour, winter turned to spring once again. All thoughts of grading papers was abandoned as I headed out the door. 

I hopped on one four-wheeler and took a ride to the back of the property, splashing through the beginnings of Lake Pentoga on my way back. A small puddle began growing yesterday morning and by day's end, covered about a third of the meadow. I hope it forms as we enjoy seeing the wild ducks that attempt to nest there each spring and being serenaded to sleep each night by the peeper frogs that lay eggs at water's edge. 

The annual filling of Lake Pentoga

Plus, Brutus really needs a bath. In case I've never mentioned it, he's a pig. 



There's a large table that I inherited when first purchasing the place. The previous owner used it as a work bench in his shop and I've done the same. Problem is, it was huge and really, like many other things that came with the house, not very practical. Still, I've never been one to look a gift horse in the mouth.

I also inherited Dad's workbench and made one or two others over the years. I decided to remake the large table. I cut the heavy particle board top down to size, shored up other parts, then reattached the heavy vice that's been bolted to it for years along with a large florescent portable light, one that I can pull down directly over anything on which I might be working.  

The whole project took most of the afternoon, but I feel good. I have a place where I can really see what I'm doing, especially if it is small or intricate. Chalk that one off my list.



Sargie was home early last night. I made tuna salad for supper and we had a quiet evening and were in bed early. She had a long day and opens again this morning. 

I'm going to ride with her partway to work and walk home. After? There's the maple syrup hardware that needs to be washed and put away which will take two or three hours. I know of a some laundry to be washed, then there's always the shop. I'm preparing to begin building the room inside the barn. I think rather than attempt to do it all at once this summer, I'll begin a little at a time... a wall here, a ceiling there, and pay for the materials as I go. Right now, I'm attempting to get everything situated so when construction begins, I can still use the machinery and tools without tripping over something and breaking my neck.

Ah, the sun just peeked over the horizon and I think the coffee is done; perfect timing for both. Time to pour a cup and think some deep thoughts. 

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

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...

Turkey tracks up and down the drive