A couple of Pennington grandsons, Wyatt and Cody. They'd just gotten haircuts at the US Coast Guard Academy where their daddy is a professor.

July 28, 2015 - Tuesday

60 degrees/clear/calm winds

Pentoga Road

The heat wave continues, although Carl-the-Weatherman is promising today will be the last scorcher in the foreseeable future. Yesterday's temperatures in the low 90's broke a record and a high in the upper 80's is predicted for today. 

Monday began with a five-mile stroll through the countryside. I was a bit apprehensive after taking a six-week hiatus from walking, but it was all for naught. I chugged up and down the hills in good fashion and because I don't seem to have any aches or pains this morning, I'll ride with Sargie partway to work later and do the same again.

Both arms are still firmly attached. One is raised to take the picture.

Once back home, I walked through the garden and picked another large zucchini to add to the three already in the house. 

I also picked the first cucumber of the year. It had gone from a mere fingerling to a monster overnight. Thankfully, the fruit is crisp, sweet, and darn near seedless.

I spent the rest of the morning preparing and canning four quarts of pickled zucchini relish.

It didn't seem to be very smart to pick the hottest day of the year to be boiling brine and making a mess in the kitchen.

But, we'll be happy for the pickles/relish next winter. My plans are to make another eight quarts before summer's end, enough to last through next year. That doesn't include the thirty-five quarts of bread and butter pickles to be made.

The rest of Monday was spent inside grading final projects. It was simply too hot and muggy to do anything meaningful outdoors and when I tried, I'd return a few minutes later drenched in sweat. 

I did venture out during the late afternoon to go fishing, but after an hour on the lake, I was ready to call it a day. As I told Sargie, it's not nearly as much fun fishing in the heat alone. She's spoiled me these past few days by being my fishing companion.

Sargie didn't arrive home until 7:30 last night. We spent some time walking through the garden and watering her flowers. As long as we irrigate, everything continues to grow by leaps and bounds. 

Sargie closes today so it will be late evening before the girl sees home again. I'm going to walk five miles this morning then wing it the rest of the day. I keep procrastinating putting up the beets. Maybe it's time to bite the bullet and just git 'er dun.

On the other hand, perhaps I'll just sit inside all day, sip iced tea, and think deep thoughts. 

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

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...