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...