Getting a load of compost/top soil on Friday morning

May 2, 2015 - Saturday morning

44 degrees/partly cloudy/calm winds

Pentoga Road

Happy World Naked Gardening Day to one and all. What, you haven't celebrated this special holiday in years' past? We haven't either and honestly, I doubt Sargie will be too supportive if/when I suggest we do so today. I'm a teacher, a facilitator of information, so I've done my part. I've taught you something. Thanks to my good friend and past educator, Eileen, for bringing this important world and national holiday to my attention. No doubt, she and her husband, Uncle Bert, will be celebrating at their home in Maine. 

Our phone rang early Friday morning. It was the farmer from whom I've purchased top soil/compost in year's past, saying I could come and get a load.

I was hooking up the trailer when Neighbor Mike walked into the back yard. He and his wife, Germaine, are down for the weekend and it's become somewhat traditional that Mike and I get together and sip coffee in the early morning hours while he's staying at their camp.

No coffee on Friday for us. I snagged poor Neighbor Mike and talked him into going with me (Actually he drove the Blazer. The boy doesn't trust my driving.) to Farmer Don's.

Not one to stand around, Neighbor Mike soon became proficient in soil operations.

The mixed soil is dumped into the screener to sort out any large clods and impurities.

Neighbor Mike and Farmer Don lining the trailers with cardboard to keep the soil from spilling out

Once home, it didn't take long to line the large planter with black plastic (with holes punched in the very bottom for drainage) and fill both it and the last strawberry container.

I later planted the last of the strawberries in the fourth pyramid. I can finally chalk that project off my list.

We needed to go into town for a few errands and stopped at Mechianic Larry's. Both four-wheelers were being worked on, Assistant Mechanic Todd, Larry's trusted side kick, on the little blue one, Mechanic Larry on the large red machine. Larry said to go ahead and do our shopping, then stop by later as the red machine would be ready to drive home.

We went to the Verizon store in town. My Iphone had quit charging. The manager took the phone, waved her magic wand over it, and pronounced it fixed. The problem? There was a wood chip stuck up inside the charging port on the phone. I'd already looked into that possibility, but obviously had missed the chip.

We returned to get the four-wheeler and I was soon on my way back to Pentoga Road. Sargie drove the car on the highway, I navigated the old gravel railroad grade that has become our ATV trail. She arrived home about ten minutes before I did. 

Just look at those new tires covered in iron ore dust.

Sargie had ordered something in Rhinelander and found that it had arrived at the store. A road trip to Wisconsin? Sure, why not!

No trip to Rhinelander would be complete without stopping at Menard's Lumber. 

Look, you can special order and pick up Sargie clones at Menards!

I took the opportunity to purchase a few more 1x8 treated boards to finish the raised beds in the garden. I asked one worker where I could find them. He didn't have a clue. 

While looking for the treated lumber, we came across this true and straight board.  I'd like to see the CEO of Menards build his house out of this type of material.

We finally discovered where the treated lumber was kept and I purchased what was needed. To be fair, the boards were of excellent quality. 

The guy who was helping me load saw the little black Kia and couldn't believe six, eight-foot boards would fit inside and the hatch back be able to close. Obviously, he'd never been on a road trip with Sargie and Tom. 

I had to reach around and actually shift underneath the boards on our way home.

After trying to eat a less than perfect pizza at Pizza Hut in Eagle River, Wisconsin, we made our way home and arrived well before dark. As Sargie later said about our dining experience, "NEVER pull into a restaurant at dinner time whose parking lot is empty." Lesson learned.

I slept like a rock last night and will head outside to work in the garden as soon as I get this uploaded. 

Since the temperature is barely over 40 degrees, I think I'll be the Grinch of the World Naked Gardening Day experience and leave my clothes on. Somehow, it just seems the thing to do when living the North Woods.

On the agenda for later today is a Sargie and Tom UP four-wheeler ride, our first of the season.

Meanwhile, I'm going to have a cup of coffee and think one or two deeps thoughts while listening to the news.

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

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...

Farmer Don's son is a certified Fireworksologist and Don had several of these tubes from which mortars are launched on the Fourth of July. I purchased four to be used to make vertical flower planters. Another project. Stay tuned.