August 28, 2016 - Sunday
61 degrees/clear/calm winds
Pentoga Road

So here's the deal... this is a two part question, or thought. 

Question One:

Should I dig a big garden pond between the orchard and garden? We're not talking a mere puddle, we're talking about a pond. I estimate that a nine by fifteen by five foot deep kidney shaped pond would take about five days to dig using my small backhoe, depending on how many rocks and boulders are encountered. On the south side, fill from the hole, covered by rocks, would be piled to create a large water falls that would flow back into the pond. A hidden pump would circulate the water.

A big expense, excavating, is a moot point since I already have the backhoe. Moving the excess dirt away from the area is time consuming, but that's something I have plenty of. I think I'll try to talk Mississippi Brother Garry into driving his Kabota tractor with the large bucket up from southern Mississippi to move the dirt. If he leaves now, he could be here by early next spring.

The largest cost comes from purchasing a large rubber pond liner, pump, filter, and all the other goodies a functioning garden pond requires. Unlike time, money is something that is in limited supply. 

A functioning bridge will be needed to connect the orchard and garden. I envision a planked, quant, wooden structure with handrails. The cost for the bridge alone could equal that of the entire pond.

Before all the above can take place, the deer fence needs to be moved and the entire area enlarged with the greenhouse relocated further to the south by twenty feet. Whew, just reading all the above makes me tired. Do I really want to undertake such a large project?

Question Two:

Assuming the pond and bridge will become reality, should I get a jump on next spring and begin digging late this fall after the gardening season is finished?

I'm leaning towards doing so, but then I wonder if I'd be wise to think about it this winter and take some time to talk myself in and out of this major project. I've been having this internal conversation for the past two years and I'm not sure another six or eight months will help.

I always emerge from winter gung-ho, filled with energy and ready to tackle any project that may come my way. There's little doubt in my mind that when next spring arrives, I'd hit the ground running, ready to make the pond a reality.

This project would see next year's garden greatly downsized. There wouldn't be time to create the pond, waterfalls, and build a bridge, and still grow a large garden. 

Why the hesitation? Except for wanting a pond and waterfalls, I kind of like the way things are now. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. It's just that I'd like it better with a pond. I envision cobblestone walks, shrubbery, and wooden benches accompanied by the sounds of a waterfall, fountain in the middle, and soft classical music playing from the greenhouse.

Oh gawd, I've been watching too much HGTV. Maybe I ought to have Joanna and Chip, maybe Christina and Tarik, over for coffee and to give some suggestions.  

I don't know what I'll do. No doubt, this conversation will be played out over and over between my ears until I wake up some morning and decide it's time to dig a big hole. Thanks for listening.



Saturday was a busy one. Sargie did housework and cleaned. She seemed to be everywhere and nowhere, up and down the stairs and either hanging laundry on the line or dashing past with a dust rag in hand.

I know a good deal when I see it. I stayed out of her way and hid.

Sargie took this picture of a hot air balloon over Florence, Wisconsin, the other night on her way home from work.

A large amount of time was spent cleaning the barn. Actually, all I really did was throw a lot of things away, empty paint cans, a broken hammer handle, a lamp base... and the list goes on and on. Actual cleaning will happen this week when I move everything out and power wash the floor. 

Part of the afternoon was spent riding the mower. The lawn is so green and lush, but with all the rain, it won't quit growing. 



Sargie and I took a shortened version of our usual day-off drive. Yooper Brother Mark called earlier in the morning and asked if we wanted to go to Marquette with them. 

Mark sent this picture of a sailing vessel in the harbor in Marquette

As much as we wanted to go, yesterday was a pick 'em up and lay 'em down day. Time is running short before the Mighty Milligan Labor Day gathering and there are things to do, places to go, people to see.

Mark and Sheri dropped by last evening with hamburger we'd asked them to pick up in Marquette. I think we're pretty well set in the meat department for Labor Day. 

Sargie and I fell into bed last night. She has to work from noon until five today. I'm going to continue working in the barn. I'm pretty sure someone else must sneak out there when I'm not around and make a mess. 

Meanwhile, it's time to get to the garden and feed the pumpkins, get Sargie up, and think about the meaning of life.

This giant pumpkin plant, in the garden, has climbed to the top of a sunflower. Note the small pumpkin underneath. I'll pluck it off today so all the energy will be directed to growing the one large pumpkin that I'm pushing to weigh over 500 pounds.

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

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...

As Brutus has gotten older, he's become clingy, and is often so close that I almost trip over him. If I sit on the floor, a hundred-pound bulldog immediately plops in my lap. That's okay. He's my buddy.