My granddaughter, Ellie, graduated from elementary school in Old Saybrook, Connecticut, last night. She's growing up way too fast and suddenly, Grandpa's feeling kind of old.

June 16, 2016 - Thursday

53 degrees/cloudy/calm winds

Pentoga Road

Congratulations to Ellie for completing the elementary part of her education and moving on to middle school. 

Josh tells me that in their school, elementary ends with third grade and the fourth through eighth grades are considered middle school. 

Page Two:

It doesn't seem that long ago that the trees and plants were still dormant. Suddenly, everything seems to be flowering.

The old fashioned, single, "farm peonies" are beginning to bloom.

I think I heard the term "farm peonies" from Grandma Pennington many years ago. She and Grandpa lived out in the country in a dilapidated old house in rural Iowa, devoid of running water and electricity, where Grandma had some peonies growing. They had single petals and were beautiful in a simple way. 

Grandma Reinhardt had an abundance of peonies growing in her yard, but they were the huge doubles with heads that looked like ruffled balls. She referred to them simply as peonies. We got our farm variety from Jerad. When he first bought his house in town, they were offered and I jumped at the opportunity. I'm glad I did. They're beautiful and cause me to think of Grandma Pennington each summer when they bloom.

Page Two:

God once again turned on the faucet and dumped another 1.1 inches of rain on Pentoga Road Wednesday. I'd originally planned to work in the shop, but decided to finish washing all the windows in the house. By day's end, those in the bedrooms, dining room, bathroom, and kitchen had their panes and screens removed, scrubbed, then swiped and wiped. I'm sure I missed plenty of places, but they are finished for now.

Page Three:

The rain finally let up by mid afternoon. I took advantage of the lull and spent time in the garden putting up the pea trellis that consists of a fence post on each side of a small row with deer mesh stretched between. I've used twine, string, and snow fence in the past. This year, I'll try the mesh.

I don't grow many peas as we don't can or freeze any. Unfortunately, the sugar snaps all mature at once and have a very short eating threshold. Sargie loves arriving home from work during the harvest months and stroll through the garden munching on fresh vegetables. Along with radishes, sugar snap peas are some of the first.

We're entering the season of early harvest. The strawberries should be coming on this next week. I noticed yesterday that the honey berries are ripening and there ought to be enough for some fresh eating right off the bush.

Page Four:

I drove to Iron Mountain Wednesday afternoon to meet Sargie and ride back with her. While there, I learned that there aren't many patients scheduled on Friday at the Vision Center and we should be able to leave a day early to go pick up Mom in Terre Haute, Indiana. A day early? That means we'll be leaving late this afternoon when Sargie is finished with work.

Current plans are to leave this afternoon and drive south as far as possible, at least to Janesville, in southern Wisconsin. We'll be up early Friday morning, arriving at Mom's around noon, have a bite to eat, then turn around and start back home. After another night's stay on the road, probably back in Janesville, we should arrive home sometime on Saturday afternoon. 

It's been my wish to be back by Sunday, Father's Day, which this year, coincides with my birthday.  This year, I want to sleep in until at least 6 AM, play in the garden, mess around in the shop, and be wined, dined, and spoiled rotten. Failing all that, it should be a relaxing day spent with Mom and Sargie. 

Lupines in the garden

It's time to shake, rattle, and roll, here. I need to get Brutus's goodies ready for his stay at the kennel and pack whatever is left to go. I hope to mow the lawn sometime today then it will be time to run through the shower, drive back to Iron Mountain, pick up Sargie, and take off for points south. It's going to be one of those types of days.

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

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...