Makes perfect sense to me.
Thanks Mississippi Brother Garry for these words of wisdom.

July 16, 2016 - Saturday
42 degrees/clear/calm winds
Pentoga Road

I'm hustling here this morning as I have an appointment at 9 AM in Iron Mountain to have two new tires put on the Blazer and the front end aligned. 

Boy, talk about feeling stupid. The balljoints were replaced last fall, but since the car had no shake or shimmy, I forgot to get the front aligned shortly after. It didn't take long for the front tires to wear unevenly. I'll have the back tires moved to the front and the new ones put on the back. That should get us through the winter months in good shape. 

Friday was a no nonsense day. I picked 'em up, put 'em down, toted that barge and lifted that bale, shook, shimmied, danced the Hootchie Coo, and even flayed my arms and legs to the Watusi with just a hint of the Mashed Potato and Pony thrown in. (Can't tell I'm a child of the fifties, can you?)

Four loads of wood, the final four loads, were finished and the last shed filled before Sargie left for work at 9:45. Does that ever feel good, and that's not a question. Believe me, it does!



I estimated that I burned almost the same amount of wood in March, April, and May, of this past spring as I did during the "cold" months of October through February. It was a mild winter, but a brutal spring. This year's less than perfect garden is a testimony to that.

Speaking of garden, I decided to celebrate filling the wood sheds by playing in my happy place, the garden, for a while. The cauliflower is beginning to make heads.



I used sisal twine to gather the large leaves and tie them together so the heads will remain blanched and white. I should be harvesting cauliflower over the next two weeks.



I spoke of flowers yesterday. Another type that I love to see are those that signal some sort of vegetable or fruit will follow. The zucchini plants are loaded with blossoms.



Since this appears to not be a banner cucumber year from which to make pickles, I'll use zucchini to fill in the void. Once pickled, it's hard to tell the difference in taste or texture.

In the jungle, the mighty jungle...
The winter squash are beginning to grow out of their raised beds making walking difficult. From now on, they're on their own. The giant sunflowers have grown enough to rise above everything else.

All good things come to an end. I trudged to the barn for another lattice work session. The first piece snapped into place, the second did the same. A bit of adjustment for the third, another cut for the fourth, and a major cut, whoops, easier to get another board and simply make a new piece, for the last one.



Hey! Everything worked! The last lattice was finally constructed!!

I realize for the mere mortal common man, the lattice would have taken a day or two to actually construct. For me, it turned into a two to three week project, but makes a very important statement. It says that I am able to do what anyone else can, it just takes me longer. You know what? I have all the time in the world.

You think I was overjoyed when the wood shed was filled, you should have seen me after that last notched piece of lattice was snapped into place.

I use brads to keep the notched boards in place. I fired up the air compressor and immediately heard a hissing sound. Seems the very inexpensive plastic hose that I've used for the past six years had a kink which resulted in a small tear.

Not to worry, the Alaskan's best friend was used, duct tape. 

After securing the pieces of lattice, I began the sanding process. I figure it will take two to three days of sanding, puttying, and painting, before the sides are ready to add to the garden arbor. 

There was still time before I needed to head to Iron Mountain and meet Sargie after work. The lawn needed mowing. Why not?

The grass has definitely slowed down making it more difficult for me to see what's been cut and what remains. I'm sure I mowed the same places two or three times and missed others, but in the end, I thought it looked better.



The immediate yard, the south side yard, the side trail, as well as the front and middle meadows were all mowed. 



I notice the bearings in one blade spindle are wearing out resulting in an uneven cut. I found what I need online and after payday, will order a set. They are expensive, but much cheaper than buying a new mower.

After a quick sprint through the shower, I hopped in the Blazer and made my way to Iron Mountain. Sargie was closing shop and we had a nice and relaxing ride back home.

A hot air balloon floating lazily between Florence, Wisconsin, and Iron Mountain, Michigan, last evening.

Today's going to be equally as busy as Friday. After getting tires, there are several stops to make in the inner city before heading back to Pentoga Road. 

Items on this afternoon's agenda include power washing Brutus's house and painting the roof. After, well, there's plenty of sanding to do on the lattice and the old asparagus ferns need to be removed in the garden. This retirement business isn't for the faint of heart.

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

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...

Ever feel as though you are being watched? I was on the mower, turning around at the end of one trail, when this doe suddenly appeared and walked to within a few feet of me. A teeny fawn, complete with spots, later came bounding out of the woods and just as quickly disappeared. Mama vanished soon after.