Grandson, Wyatt, running his first triathlon. Wyatt placed 3rd overall in the eight-year-old age division... and he's only seven.

August 2, 2015 - Sunday

67 degrees/cloudy/calm

Pentoga Road

Speaking of Wyatt, I want to say Happy Birthday to his daddy, Josh. My oldest son turns the big FOUR-OH today. 

It's hard to believe it's been forty years. I was so naive' and thought I knew everything about fatherhood and life when he was born. His mother was a mere teenager, I wasn't much older. 

Despite being raised by child-parents who were basically clueless, (I was. Thankfully, his mother had the brains and common sense.) Josh thrived and excelled and is happily married, has three beautiful children, and enjoys a successful career in the Coast Guard.

Happy birthday, son. I love you.

Granddaughter, Ellie, was in the lead in her age group until she fell and scraped both knees. Still, she finished strong.

Saturday was a mellow day on Pentoga Road. I began installing the vents in the wood shed immediately upon returning from Iron Mountain.

I really wanted to place them in the eave, but the construction of the building made that prohibitive. A roof vent is really needed, something that may have to be done next spring if the two wall vents don't provide enough air circulation. I just hate ripping into that gambrel roof.

The rest of the day was spent on the riding mower. The grass in the yard really wasn't long, but there were several places where long tufts made the entire thing look shabby.

I'm amazed how green everything still is. We've not had a significant rainfall in several weeks, yet brown areas of grass are few and far between.

The side yard was mowed for the first time. Most of it is dirt, but what grass is growing was several inches long. Talk about a dust storm! There were times I thought I'd have to get out my compass to keep from getting lost. I'll sow grass seed later this fall and again next spring in that area.

I spent some time in the garden, moving the drip hose, watering, plucking a few weeds and tying a cucumber vine or two to the trellis. The pumpkin continues to grow at the fastest rate I've ever seen. It's gaining, literally, pounds per day and has definitely surpassed the size of a basketball.

My goal, other than to produce a giant to dump in Derek and Leah's front yard for the girls this halloween, is to gather, save, and possibly sell the seeds from this genetically pure strain. I paid $35 for the single seed from which this plant originated. I'd be happy to sell a few hundred, or a thousand, for somewhat less. Oh yes, there's a method to my madness.

Sargie was home early last night and after catching up on the news of the day, headed to the garden and immediately disappeared behind the seven-foot tall tomato plants. What was she doing?

I went into the stealth mode and finally found the girl eating sugar snap peas. They are nearing their end, but are still full, tender, and unbelievably sweet and crunchy.

This pea-stealer was caught on camera eating her supper directly out of the garden. 

We're heading to Tricia and Donnie's today, Sargie's sister and her husband, to see Sargie's niece, Lisa and her three children, who are visiting from Texas. With so many Milligan's and so little time, the family is gathering in one place so Lisa and the munchkins won't feel as though they have to travel all over the UP. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone and naturally, eating some great food, something that seems to happen whenever the Mighty Milligan's get together. 

It's time to grab another cup of coffee, listen to the news, think some deep thoughts, then head to the garden and feed the pumpkin. The ravenous beast demands my attention twice a day, every day.

But are we surprised? Not hardly. After all, a man's work is never done.

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...

Run, Wyatt, run!!