Ivy's happy just thinking about the New Year's Eve party she'll be attending tonight

December 31, 2015 - Thursday
New Year's Eve
21 degrees/cloudy/calm
Pentoga Road

I should never fool around with the settings on the web page. I attempt to use a combination of classic pre-made templates and a concoction of my own design. 

Note: I said attempt. 

I used to know enough to be somewhat dangerous and occasionally successful. That doesn't appear to be the case any longer. I'm better off using a plug-and-play template.

I took a web design course back in the early 90's. It was before templates were common and we used the universal html language. Things were simpler then... or maybe it just seemed that way because I was younger and learned a bit quicker. 



Anyway, after featuring a Christmas theme two weeks ago, I have been attempting to return the webpage to it's original format. Hopefully, it worked. Mississippi Brother Garry just wrote and accused me of blocking his access, saying all he could get was a gear going around. I told him to quit whining. That'll fix it, I'm sure.

I worked outside Wednesday morning, mostly checking the deer fence and making small repairs. 

The ice and snow can short out the electric fence

The apple trees and blueberry bushes make tempting meals to the deer we are currently feeding in the back yard.



I also pulled the ice shack up to the barn. 



It needs a few minor tweaks, but basically, it's ready to go.

The last big outside chore of the day was to haul in a load of wood.



Grady brought his daddy, Macrea, over to see us on Wednesday afternoon. 



We had a lot of fun talking and of course, Grady was happy to play with and entertain anyone who wanted to play with him. 

He's got a ways to go playing Grandpa's harmonica

I get a kick out of the little guy. He'll be doing something, then suddenly say, "Pa-pa," and want my attention. We'll play or talk and just as quickly, he's off and into something else. 



I took Sargie's car to the muffler place in town yesterday afternoon. Thankfully, the fix was easy, a simple stainless steel welding job, and we didn't have to remortgage the house to pay for it. 



Macrea and Grady stayed overnight. We moved Brutus's bed so he could be in the spare room with Grandma, Grady slept in his crib in our room, and Macrea got the couch. Somehow, with sleeping arrangements different and people laying all over the place, it seems more like the holiday season. When I was little and all the aunts, uncles, and cousins, would meet at Grandma and Grandpa's, people would be tripping over each other... children sleeping on the floors, couches, or chairs, all the spare beds utilized, the dog blocking the back door, and clothes and blankets everywhere. 



We watched television last night and after a midday meal of chili, munched popcorn and enjoyed each other's company. I had no trouble falling asleep at bedtime.



I'm not sure what today will bring. I'd like to begin cleaning the shop and after, get my ice fishing gear ready for the upcoming season. I imagine we'll begin fishing this coming week and wouldn't be surprised if a few of the boys are out on the ice this weekend. I'll just wait a few extra days. I'm not nearly as limber and able to jump from icy water in a single bound as I used to be. 



It's time to begin the day. What to do first, sip coffee or think deep thoughts? I'm so darn stressed.

Brutus tends to be a bit big and a little jealous of Grady so he gets his own special happy place behind the overturned coffee table.

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

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...

A doe and fawn outside the living room windows.

December 30, 2015 - Wednesday

21 degrees/cloudy/calm winds

Pentoga Road

I'm running a day late and a dollar short this morning. Since Sargie is off, I opted to enjoy the early morning hours snuggled next to her in bed. Somehow, the thought of trudging downstairs in the cold and dark, lighting the fire and getting the day started didn't seem nearly as desirable. 

Tuesday was another lazy day. I finally wandered outside late in the morning and plowed the drive. More snow than I thought had fallen, around 3 inches.

There are many sugar maples further into the property that have yet to be tapped. Since snowfall has been light this year, I decided to plow a couple of trails into the woods in hopes that I might be able to access those trees this coming spring.

The temperatures were in the mid-twenties which made playing outside downright fun. Still, all good things have to come to an end and the drive and trails were soon plowed.

Mom and I spent yesterday afternoon watching a movie on Netflix, a rootin', tootin', shoot 'em up, true WWII story of heroism and combat. It was one of those that we hated to see end.

Taking time to have a Grandma to dog conversation.

I've been spreading corn in the back yard to attract the deer for Mom to see. It's similar to the movie, Field of Dreams. Spread it and they will come.

Sargie was home early last night and fixed a great supper of shrimp Alfredo. As usual, I ate entirely too much, but it tasted so good.

I hear rumors that Macrea and Grady will be over later this morning. I hope so. Sargie saw Grady yesterday and said he was asking for "Pa-pa." I proudly claim that title. He's Pa-pa's boy.

Time to move along here and carry in some wood then begin to make the area around the wood stove "Grady proof."

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

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...

Watching the deer grazing just a few feet on the other side of the window.

Andy and two-week old, Ivy

December 29, 2015 - Tuesday
20 degrees/cloudy/breezy
Pentoga Road

So where's that big blizzard that was to blanket us with feet and feet (or at least several inches) of snow? How about those thirty mph winds, gusting to forty? Carl-the-Weatherman lied again. It appears two inches may have fallen; well, if I go outside and fluff it there might be two inches. Otherwise, we're looking at an inch... maybe. 

Working up fire wood on Monday afternoon in preparation for the storm that never arrived.

Our home is snug, but it's still a ninety-five year old house. A strong east gale turns our normally cozy abode into something resembling a breezy barn. Thankfully, due to a change in Mother Nature's plans, we don't have to break out the parkas and whale blubber to stave off hypothermia.

At my insistence, Sargie stayed with Jeanne and Boyd last night in Iron Mountain. She was caught in a storm last winter and at one time, slid backwards down a large hill and remained there until a county plow happened by. I told her then that would be the last time she braved a storm to come home. Naturally, the one night she stayed in town, the storm didn't materialize. Oh well, better safe than sorry.

Normally, when we don't receive the normal snowfall, we bemoan the lack of precipitation. This year, due to the rains of the past few weeks, the water table is sitting on top of the ground in several places towards the rear of the property. In fact, it wouldn't take much for Lake Pentoga to turn into an acre-size body of water, something that usually happens only in the wettest of springs. It's a strange year. 

At least the lake should freeze faster since there was no storm. Snow insulates what little ice covers the lake and the heat of the water underneath prevents more from forming. 

Mom and I had a quiet day on Monday. I did a load of laundry. Mom supervised, read a book, watched some television, and of course, we did our fair share of talking.

My sister, Barb, (second from right, back row) sent this Christmas picture of my nieces and nephews, herself, and my brother-in-law.

At one point, we went into town for some suet for the birds. A stop was made at Yooper Mark's plant.. purely a social visit. The boy was navigating the rocky waters of the wood products business without the help of his trusty administrative assistant, Ann, who's been on vacation. Mark seemed to have his finger on the pulse of his industry, so after eating several chocolates from a box that was given to him as a Christmas gift, we bade him goodbye and continued on. 

I stopped by the muffler shop and made an appointment to have the Kia worked on. Sargie's little bug suddenly sounds like a kick-butt sports car that is ready to take on all comers. I figured I'd better get it fixed before she gets a speeding ticket... or, more likely, one for excessive noise. The car's to be in the shop on Wednesday afternoon.

I spent some time working on the snowblower, tightening up the auger belt. I need to get some carburetor cleaner, Sea Foam, and dump in the gas tank today. The machine starts, but doesn't run very smoothly. I forgot to drain the gas last spring. 



So that was our day, pretty ho hum. 

Okay, on to serious, deep-thought, business. So you know how it's said that small children and puppies resemble each other? The proof's in the pudding... or in this case, the pictures:

Ivy

Grady

Scout, the black lab puppy.
Seems the puppy fell asleep while visiting Luke as he was sitting, reading, and thinking deep thoughts.

I rest my case.

I'm hoping with the colder temperatures forecast that enough ice might form for ice fishing next week. I'm also going to begin construction on the first of several strawberry pyramids that have been promised to others. It's going to be a busy time either way.  

Sargie opens today, then due to the New Year's holiday, has Wednesday through Friday off. She should be home fairly early tonight.

I'm going to spend some time in the shop today. I made several messes before Christmas and was in such a hurry that I left everything sit on the benches. It's time to clean before beginning the next project. One thing I've noticed with this diminishing eyesight... if I don't put everything back in it's place, exactly where it belongs, it very well could be lost for all eternity. Worse yet, I have to ask Sargie to come out to the shop or barn, a place normally reserved for spit 'n whittlin' man folk, and have her find whatever I'm looking for. It's easier to keep things put away where they belong.

Believe me, Brutus is no help in the shop. He's a bigger pig than I am.

The clock just chimed six times which means that first all-important cup of coffee is sitting in the pot, waiting to be poured and enjoyed. Darn straight. Think I'll sip some java, listen to the news, and think a deep thought or two. It's just the way I roll.

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

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...

"Poison" Ivy

December 28, 2015 - Monday
11 degrees/cloudy/calm winds
Pentoga Road

I'm trying to straighten my back after sleeping in the fetal position last night.  I went to my happy place in a remote corner and curled up following the Packers embarrassing loss to Arizona late yesterday afternoon. Whew, that was ugly. Even the coffee sipped from my Packers mug this morning doesn't taste right. Oh well, live by the sword, die by the sword. Packer fans took one for the team late yesterday afternoon. 

Sunday was a lazy one. I walked my three miles around midday and other than that... oh, I took a wonderful hour-and-a-half nap. I figured I needed to get my rest in preparation of the Packers game. I should have simply crawled into bed and stayed there until this morning. 

Mom read a good book all day and we talked off and on. It was simply a relaxing, time... a typical cloudy and cold Sunday afternoon, one meant for being lazy.

Sargie was home early and the three of us spent the evening watching Home and Garden TV. Which reminds me... 

What do people do for a living when they gyrate to a dance of joy because they just purchased a run-down "reno" (house that needs renovation) for a mere $1.25 million dollars? How about a starter home for only half a million? Sargie and I either live in extreme poverty and are too stupid to realize it or the few who still work in the US are spending way too much of their hard-earned income on monthly house payments.

I don't get it, but then I don't have to. I'm just a retired school teacher. One thing I'm fairly certain of... $300,000 will buy a person one of the nicest homes in this area and a million dollars would come close to purchasing the entire Upper Peninsula.

It appears the big storm is still heading this way. I'm going to take my walk first thing this morning then do a couple of loads of laundry. I need to tighten the belt on the snow blower today and make sure the four-wheeler and plow are all set to move some major snow.

Hmm, just a thinking here. Maybe I ought to put Mom through her snow blowing paces, make sure she can fully operate the machine. That would allow me more time sit inside by the wood stove and ponder deep thoughts. No? Hey, I was just throwing it out there to see if anyone wanted to pick it up. I'm pretty sure Mom won't.

Failing that, I think I'll grab another cup of coffee and listen to the news.

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

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...

Hanging Sargie's jewelry cabinet was Saturday's big project.

December 27, 2015 - Sunday
24 degrees/cloudy/calm winds
Pentoga Road

It appears to be the calm before the storm here on Pentoga Road. The storm that is causing so much death and destruction in Texas and the lower Midwest is heading this way. Carl the Weatherman is calling for several inches of snow driven by winds of 30 mph. Arrival time? Monday night.

I wish Sargie didn't have to drive in the white stuff. If the worst case scenario, several wind-blown inches comes to fruition, she won't be driving anywhere anyway.

Saturday was a busy one on Pentoga Road. After my usual hike, Mom and I worked together while she learned how to navigate on her iPad. After two hours, my student was swiping with the best of them. Mom has over a week before she leaves and there's little doubt in my mind that before she boards the plane heading south, she'll be iPad'ing with the best.

The afternoon was spent hanging Sargie's jewelry cabinet. Made from oak, the thing rivals a Volkswagen in weight and was cumbersome to hang.

I wasn't sure it would fit between the corner and the closet door.

It was difficult to find studs, but I finally drove a screw into one. Wall anchors were also used.

I borrowed Mom and her eyes

The most difficult part was taking off the trim and cutting it to fit around the cabinet. Naturally, I measured wrong several times and must have made eighty or a hundred trips out to the shop.

In the end, Sargie's cabinet...

was hung by the closet with care, 

in hope that rubies and diamonds, 

would soon be there.

Yeah, well, that was worth a try.

I made a large batch of cranberry sauce. We enjoy them much like many eat strawberries or blueberries. Since our strawberry crop was a washout this past summer, we're substituting with cranberries.

Sargie was home early last night and we enjoyed dining on French meat pie, a Milligan Christmas tradition. Carrie Underwood crooned to us in the Sound of Music last night with bedtime coming soon after.

Sargie works from noon to five today. I'm going to hoof my usual three miles then get ready for a very important late-afternoon Packers football game. It's going to be a tough one as Arizona has a better record and if stats are to be believed, more talented. It's going to be a tough one to coach, but then are we surprised?

A man's work is never done.

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...

An annual post-Christmas tradition - the burning of torn boxes and used wrapping paper.

Look who came to visit our house bright and early Christmas morning!

December 26, 2015 - Saturday

25 degrees/cloudy/calm

Pentoga Road

Just like that, the roar of Christmas has faded into the sunset, the magic put away for another year, and I can feel some sort of normalcy returning to Pentoga Road. If one looks closely, he'll see bits and pieces of wrapping paper scattered around the floor. The tree doesn't have quite the glimmer it had a mere twenty-four hours ago and the plate of cookies and candy sitting on the coffee table aren't nearly as tempting as they once were.

All that's left of Grady's snowman. It has melted away into a mere snowball.

The past forty-eight hours were a rush in preparation of and later, enjoying the holiday.

After seeing the cross and rose hanging on the wall, Mom mentioned that she'd love to have one. What Mama wants, Mama gets. I began the wood working marathon to make Mom's wish come true.

While roughing out the cross on the band saw, the blade broke. Of all times, why then?!

Not to fear, the rest was done using various blades on the two scroll saws. I thought I had it made when the entire thing crumpled in my hands.

 Mississippi Brother Garry has taught me that's why wood glue and clamps were invented, to salvage a project that might otherwise end up in the wood stove.

The project was finished, brought into the house, and wrapped sometime before midnight on Christmas Eve, minutes after Mom went to bed. It's fun to make a wish come true.

Mom, Sargie, and I, had a good time on Christmas Eve. We ate, watched television, talked nonstop, and of course, I spent a few hours in the shop doing what I enjoy. Even Brutus got his wish, to lay at Grandma's feet.

Go ahead and mess with Grandma, see how far you get.

We had a wonderful time at the Mighty Milligan Christmas Eve celebration on Thursday night. 

That's right, she's back. Sister-in-law, Nancy, in one of her famous JC Penny catalogue poses that has made her a household name the world over.

  

Auntie Nancy's leading Aubrey and Brielle through a rousing rendition of Jingle Bells.

 

 The celebration broke up later in the evening and everyone headed to their homes to await Santa's arrival. The Milligan boys and girls knew that unless they went to bed and fell fast asleep, Santa wouldn't come.

We had no trouble sleeping and were just getting around on Christmas morning when the front door opened. Who was it? Yooper Brother Santa!

He visited first with Mom and after she assured him she'd been a good girl, she received her present, an iPad. 

Then it was Sargie's turn. She'd been good too and got a nice sweater.

Santa invited me to sit on his lap, confirming something I've always wondered about and though I begged and pleaded my case, all I got was a Christmas goose from the naughty old man. Guess I'll have to work on my behavior this coming year.

Mrs. Santa, aka Sheri, also came along and we had a good conversation and enjoyed freshly baked cinnamon rolls. There was even a little something for Santa and Mrs. Claus. We hated to see them go. Thanks folks. You made our Christmas morning.

There were many gifts under the tree and we took our time opening them after the Claus's left.

Sargie's wrestling with a heavy wall-mounted jewelry cabinet she received.

It was soon time to head back to Iron Mountain, to Jeanne and Boyd's beautiful home, for the annual Christmas day gathering. It's my favorite meeting of the clan, an informal affair. 

Grady was in on the action and managed to keep everyone entertained.

As has become tradition, I made my once-a-year appearance in front of the piano and we sang Christmas carols. This year, I had a helper to lead the singing.

The highlight of the day was a toast to nephew, Regan, and his bride-to-be, Jessica, who just announced their engagement. Both are educators in the Green Bay area and we couldn't be happier.

And so the day ended as we all kissed and hugged each other goodbye. 



There were many full bellies and happy hearts that climbed into various vehicles and drove away.



Last night was spent playing with toys and recovering from a full day of activities. Bedtime came early.

A part from one of my presents had rolled under the couch. I'm not sure how Brutus thought he could help, but none the less, he had to have a good look.

Sargie's back to work today. I'm going to ride a few miles down the road with her and walk back. Other than that, I think Mom and I will simply hang out, watch some television, play with her iPad, and possibly think a deep thought... or not.

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

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...