I had to stop for these Sandhill Cranes in the middle of the road on Thursday morning.

April 15, 2016 - Friday

39 degrees/sunny/calm winds

Pentoga Road

As promised, it appears as though it's going to be another blue ribbon day in the Upper Peninsula. In fact, Carl the Weatherman says we're in for several nice days. Bring 'em on. We're ready.

I rode with Sargie to Iron Mountain Thursday morning to retrieve the car and get more building material. I also needed some potting soil and while I was in the store shopping, spied a closed-face spinning rod and reel that was on clearance. I really didn't need another, but it was marked down to $20 from $40 and the temptation was too great. I bought it.

I used to scoff that those who didn't use open face fishing reels, but I've found that as my sight has diminished, the easier-to-use closed face, spin cast, is much more to my liking. Now all we need is for the ice to melt off the lakes.

I stopped at the grocery store on the way home and took advantage of their one-day sale. I felt as though I got my money's worth and spent some time thinking back to the days when groceries weren't nearly as expensive. I well remember in the early 70's, when hamburger rose to .60 a pound, and I swore I'd never spend that enormous sum for meat, much less hamburger.

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I don't want to say I'm somewhat obsessive when it comes to sale-priced lumber, but I have quite the stockpile. Still, if I accomplish everything I want to this coming year, it will all be used.

The remainder of the day was spent transplanting flowers in the greenhouse. It appears I have plenty of ruffled petunias, pansies, moss rose, sweet Williams, and lavender.

Those vegetable seeds that I placed between wet paper towels and into baggies last week have sprouted. 

All have now been planted into six packs and should emerge in the next few days.

It was late afternoon, but there was still plenty of warmth and sunlight left. After taking the snow plow off the four wheeler, I hooked onto the backhoe and towed it to the barn.

The first thing on today's agenda is to change all the fluids in the big machinery. Both the tractor and backhoe will be used extensively this summer and it's time to get them ready.

Neighbor Mike came down to his camp from Marquette for the night. We didn't have much of a chance to talk, but the last I saw, he was attempting to burn an old pile of very wet lumber in his field. He finally gave up.

Sargie's off today. For those who have asked, she seems to be feeling better and the rash is about gone. It's been an ordeal, but hopefully, it'll soon be a thing of the past.

It's time to get outside and begin the day. The first order of business is to work on the backhoe and tractor. The second... hmm, maybe sit with Sargie in the sun and think deep thoughts. It's just the way we roll on Pentoga Road.

It's nice to work in the shop with the window open, the warm breeze blowing through.

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

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...