Friday was Ivy's first day of eating solid food. Let me guess... strained peas?

April 9, 2016 - Saturday

0 degrees/clear/calm winds

Pentoga Road

You know, I remember way back... way way back... three weeks ago, maybe it was a month, when I cut down the three spruce trees in the back yard. The snow was gone and the ground was fairly dry with the temperatures in the mid-sixties, rising towards the seventy-degree mark. 

The weatherman promised that the beginning of April was going to be above normal in temperatures and below in precipitation. The global warming folks were smiling, pointing their fingers in glee.

Secretly, I was happy. The past two winters have been record-setters for snow and cold. I was happy to see a bit of global warming coming our way.

I rushed out and bought five gallons of hydraulic fluid, a large container of motor oil, and filters. I was anxious to get the backhoe and tractor ready to dig out the roots and stumps in the following days. 

The stumps aren't even visible under the snow this morning and even if they were, the ground is frozen rock solid. One positive note, it's to be nearing seventy degrees by this time next week. Right now, that seems like a far and distant dream.

Friday afternoon

The tests went well on Friday. I was goo'd and strapped, poked and prodded, and evidently, I'll live to see another day. The results are to be mailed to both myself and little Katie, my doctor, within the next twenty-one days. I had one of the same tests for arterial plaque several years ago while living in Alaska. As I remember, it cost me (and the insurance company) around $1,500. It was one of the five tests given yesterday for a total sum of $150 dollars. Who says those hospitals and doctors don't pocket a tidy sum?

The tests were finished in time so I could have lunch with Sargie. I'd packed her's earlier in the morning and I took the same, cold chicken and a couple of other goodies. We sat in the Home Depot parking lot enjoying our picnic, watching it snow, and later, went inside so Sargie could purchase a garden cart that was on sale. A quick trip was made to the pharmacy to refill her prescription, then it was back to work for my favorite optician in the world.

I returned to Home Depot where I took advantage of their springtime sale and purchased ten landscape timbers and thirty boards of treated dog ear fencing material. I use a lot of each, both outside and to make planters, so with both selling at half the normal price, I'm trying to buy ahead.

The roads were clear by the time I drove home and the rest of the afternoon was spent making a template for the arch and the outside braces for the garden arbor.

Since I didn't have a compass that was even close to being large enough to draw a huge arc, I improvised by making my own from a thin piece of scrap wood. Three carefully measured, drilled holes, a sharp object, and a pencil and I was ready to go. I still need to purchase an eight foot length of 2x12 to actually make the arch. It will be cut in two pieces then pegged and glued together.

The next challenge was cutting the outside bracing for the top of the arch. I'm not very bright and it took a while to figure (or as Sargie says, cipher) the angles, but persistence paid off. As with the outside lattice work, I had to make dados allowing the inside braces to snap securely over the tenons on the top of the outside posts.

Neighbor Mike called late in the afternoon saying they were coming down for the weekend and asked if I'd make a fire to warm their camp before they arrived. He also asked how much money he owed me. I told him he didn't have enough, but... 

Mike makes some of the best jam and preserves I've ever tasted. His three-berry jam consisting of raspberries, strawberries, and blueberries, is the best. It works out well. I give him maple syrup and pickles in return for jelly, jam, preserves, oh, and Vernor's Ginger Ale. Made in Michigan, Vernor's is hard to find in this area, but Mike can get it in Marquette. 

Pentoga Road's not for the weak of heart or spirit. No beads, blankets, and trinkets here. We trade for the big stuff. 

Sargie arrived home fairly early last night. I'd made tuna/egg salad for supper and it was a lazy evening after. 

Sargie's off this weekend. Hopefully, she'll get plenty of rest and continue to recuperate. I'm going to work in the shop this morning, hoping to laminate the top braces of the arbor. We're planning a trip to Iron Mountain this afternoon for another load of lumber. 

Neighbor Mike wants me to come up for coffee later this morning. Guess I'll go and catch up on the gossip, plus who knows, he may just have a spare jar of three-berry jam.

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

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...