The Brule River at the Pentoga Bridge

January 6, 2015 - Wednesday

19 degrees/cloudy/calm winds

Pentoga Road

I hate obsessing over anything, especially during the early-morning hours while lying in bed. This morning my latest obsession concerned a portable seat warmer that I bought Sargie last year. It fastens onto a car seat, plugs into the power outlet, and after a minute or two, is hot enough to keeps one's backside comfortable even on the coldest days.

It was warming the passenger seat of the Blazer yesterday when we went to town. I don't believe it got unplugged when we arrived home which means the battery will be stone cold and dead. The power outlet on the Blazer doesn't turn off automatically when the ignition stops. 

I guess that's why battery chargers were invented. I'll check at first light this morning.

Page Two

Andy sent this picture of Ivy who is the happiest baby I know.

Tuesday was a lazy affair. With Sargie enjoying a day away from the Vision Center, we weren't in any hurry to do anything or go anywhere. I worked on the last of the ice fishing equipment in the shop, changing leaders on the tip ups and sorting through lures. Sargie dusted and otherwise worked her household magic. Later, we moved the cabinet on which the old tv sat to the dining room and placed Grandma Pennington's rocking chair in the far corner of the living room. Sargie has it all looking perfect.

It will be at least a year before we purchase a new sectional for the living room, but window shopping is free.

We went into town and walked through the furniture store, purchased a new band saw blade at the hardware store, and got a few gallons of heating oil with which to start fires. I keep the oil in an old dish soap bottle and use a squirt every now and then to start a cold fire in the wood stove. It's an old trick I learned while living north of the Arctic Circle.

Once home, I hauled in wood and played fetch with Brutus. Since we switched dog food, his limp is completely gone and his old energy is back. With the holidays over and his ailments in the rearview mirror, it's time to begin putting the pup through his paces again, reminding him that it's HIS job to lead me home. 

Sargie works for the next six days straight, closing on three of them. It's going to be a long haul for her. I think I'll go ice fishing today, the first time this season. We stopped at the bait shop yesterday where I bought minnows and wax worms and in talking with the owner, Gloria, found out that people are catching fish. 

Someone had given Gloria a nice northern pike and a big perch

There seems to be a solid four to six inches of ice on most of the area lakes, but I'll still drill a few test holes as I make my way out to secret spot # 22. I'd tell you where it is, but then I'd have to do you in. 

It's time to pour another cup of coffee and wait for sunrise before checking to see if the battery on the Blazer is indeed dead.

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

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...