February 2, 2016 - Tuesday
23 degrees/cloudy/calm
Pentoga Road

I think we're safe. I can't see more than two inches out the window, so there's no need to worry about the groundhog seeing his shadow. Oh wait, the sun hasn't come up yet. Never mind. 

That being said, it appears Punxsutawney Phil won't cause much of a reflection, at least in the UP, today. There's a winter storm warning out and Carl the Weatherman promises we'll be receiving several inches of snow, if not more, from the impending storm.

The forecast keeps changing. Originally, up to 18 inches of wind-driven snow was predicted. 

It appears the low is currently in Iowa approaching SW Wisconsin. Carl says it will be later this afternoon before it arrives at Pentoga Road.

Sargie's ready. She'll be at the helm of the four-wheel-drive Blazer today and has made arrangements to bail out of the Vision Center at the first sign of heavy snow and wind. We're as ready as we can be, so let 'er come.

Page Two

It's official, Ivy's for real!
I hope the quarterback of the Green Bay Packers, Aaron Rodgers, appreciates my granddaughter's middle name.

Page Three

I accomplished a lot on Monday, although not much of it was picture worthy.

Social Security called first thing and we spent an hour going over my application. Since I taught in Maine and Alaska, two states that don't contribute to Social Security, I fall under the Windfall Elimination Act. What that basically means is that even though my contributions were more than enough to qualify for benefits (through working other jobs since age twelve) I can only draw a small portion. The government feels we state pensioners should contribute our hard-earned share to "level the playing field," as the man said. 

I won't say anymore, but it only adds to my extreme dislike of government social programs, especially when they use my money. I ought to be able to draw from it, rather than give it to someone who hasn't contributed. I'll close my mouth before I tell you how I really feel.

My next meeting, via phone, was with our local insurance agent. Our rates went up by $30 a month even though we had no tickets or claims. I spent time with the agent, even more time talking to another, browsed for insurance online, and finally, talked again to our local agent and decided to go with another company saving us a goodly amount of money in premiums.  

I stepped out on a limb and ordered rare seeds for a new type of winter squash; hard to find seeds of the yuxigiangbinggua squash. Yes, I know, I'll be envy of all the kids in my neighborhood, but I'm going there, don't try to stop me. The yuxigiangbinggue squash will be mine, oh yes, it will be mine. Now I have to learn how to pronounce the name.



I needed to get out of the house. The entire morning had been consumed with meetings, paperwork, and squash seeds. I ran for my winter happy place, the shop.

It took quite a while, but the base for the first tomato planter was attached and I'll begin the framing and outer boards today. 

One of the biggest problems is that I use a treated post as a center pole. 



Though it saves costs, it requires no small amount of chisel work at the beginning so the base might be evenly attached on all sides, affecting the measurements of the shelves later.



It was nice in the shop yesterday. I had classical music playing in the background, the pup at my feet, a large insulated mug of green tea at hand, and it felt good. Heck with Social Security and insurance premiums. As far as I was concerned, the rest of the world could go fall off a cliff. I was in my shop... my happy place. 



Other than do a bit of laundry, burn the trash, and run the vacuum over the floors, that pretty well consumed the day. Sargie and I ate supper in front of the television watching The Biggest Loser last evening and it wasn't long after that we were heading to bed.

I'm going to take a check to the insurance agent this morning to get the new policy started then plan on spending the rest of the day in the shop. 

Sargie opens the Vision Center this morning and will be keeping one eye on the weather. She wants to be home before the storm drops too much snow.

Interesting results last night in Iowa. Never mind, I'm not even going there. Nope. I have more important things to do than get my blood pressure elevated this morning.

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

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...

I'll attach the baseboards and continue from there later today.