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...