With all the rain that's fallen, everything is green and lush

June 8, 2015 - Monday
51 degrees/clear/calm
Pentoga Road

Sargie's been off the past two days and has to go back to work today. I don't know why, but I have the same feeling that I used to get before I retired... ugh, a full week of labor ahead. Reality hits home and I remember I no longer work a regular job, but since most of my outside activities revolve around Sargie's schedule, it feels like a Monday.

Let's see, what's happened the past two days. We received a full inch of rain Saturday night. Our spring was looking brown and dusty a month ago. Thankfully, God turned on the spout and everything has turned green and lush. Our little lake is rising and the grass and trees look as though they belong in a scene from the Emerald City. 

The garden continues to grow and, knock on wood, could be one of the best of the past few years. Of course, as we all know, a random hail storm, too much or not enough rain, or a variety of other factors could see all that come to an immediate end. Even an errant deer breaking through the electric fence could reduce the garden to stubble. All that being said... so far/so good.

Sargie drove to Marquette Saturday morning and spent the day with Baby Grady. She had a good time and got to spend the day with not only Grady, but also mutual friends. Macrea joined them after work and they enjoyed pizza before Sargie came back home.

I spent part of the morning visiting with Yooper Brother Mark and Sheri. The ten-mile ride into town on four-wheeler was really enjoyable. 

A spring had broken on Mark's garage door and when I arrived, only Sheri was home. Mark had gone to the hardware store for new parts. Sheri offered a piece of her homemade rhubarb/raspberry pie and of course, I accepted. That girl knows how to cook. Along with a few dips of vanilla ice cream, I enjoyed the pie and some great conversation while waiting for Mark. 

I tried to help Mark thread the new cable from the brackets on the ceiling, but found that I was a mere gofer at best. The door was fixed within minutes and after a bit of conversation, I headed back home.

The rest of the day was spent doing laundry, curing several pork loins in the smoker to enjoy this week, and digging and hauling another load of fill and emptying it in the rear of the back yard. 

Smoked pork loins done over wood chips and charcoal. 

Sargie was home well before dark and we had a quiet evening.

Sunday was strange... good strange, but a bit different. I haven't been sleeping well due to some rather harsh back pain, so I decided to take a couple of generic Tylenol PM - type tablets. With the bedroom window open and the rain pounding down, I had no trouble getting to sleep; and sleep I did, until 11 AM Sunday morning. 

I don't believe I've slept that late in years. In fact, Sargie was awake before me. Slumbering half the day away isn't my idea of living and it seemed odd sipping coffee and writing my usual early morning emails at noon. Oh well, as Mom says, "I guess I needed it."

Sargie and I took a long Sunday afternoon drive and visited a couple of area lakes that we normally don't go to. After, we picked up our usual fried chicken and a loaf of homemade bread and came home. It was one of those quality, not quantity-type of days. 

As mentioned above, Sargie's back to work today. The Blazer is in Iron Mountain, so I'll ride back with her this morning and visit Home Depot. I need to pick up a roll of cement wire with which to make tomato cages. A couple of plants are getting large enough that it's time and I'm happy to say that a half dozen plants will have blossoms before week's end. I also want to purchase some red cement color. I think this is the week that I begin the walk/patio from the back deck to the drive. Sargie helped me lay it out last night. Stay tuned on that project.

This week looks to be a busy one. There's the twice-a-year scheduled appointment on Wednesday with my money man, the person who manages my millions, the vast fortune which allows me to be retired. Thursday brings a dentist appointment to have the new crown cemented into place. Neighbor Mike is coming down from Marquette and wants to do some fishing. There's the garden to tend, the new cobblestone walk to prepare for, more thistles to spray, and grass to mow towards week's end... oh if only you had my life.

But then, is that a surprise? After all, a man's work is never done.

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...  

We found a new hiking trail that I'll have to try later this summer