Tales from Pentoga

Look who came to visit! Shh, we're hiding from Grandma Sargie in a game of Where's Grady?

September 16, 2016 - Friday

60 degrees/rain/calm winds

Pentoga Road

Another half an inch of water appeared in the rain gauge early this morning with more forecast throughout the day. After hearing about the drought in the southeast US, I'm grateful for all the precipitation, but I'm still considering building an Ark.

Yep, Grady came to visit yesterday. Macrea had to work in the Iron River branch of Wells Fargo, so he got Grady out of bed, loaded him in the car, and brought him over for the day, pajamas and all.

Now you see me! A Teddy Bear Sunflower for Grandma Sargie. He later picked several to take home for Mommy and Daddy, also a small pumpkin.

We had so much fun. Ol' Hambone's talking in full sentences now and honestly, I think that kid is going to be a comedian when he grows up.

Where'd Grady go? He was hiding behind the flower, trying to sneak up on and surprise his grandma.

He's got a real sense of humor and will go to about any length to make us laugh.

I told him Grandma Sargie was my girl and he'd better not kiss her. Of course, he'd laugh and do the opposite. I'm not sure who was more fun to watch, Grady or his grandmother.

One thing for certain, he sure had Sargie laughing.

We were busy throughout the day. I'd picked the largest giant sunflower head to save for next year's seed.

The bluejays and squirrels have been working over the sunflowers nonstop and I was fearful I'd walk out some morning and find next year's seed completely gone.

I prefer to let the heads dry on the stalk, but the critters leave me no choice other than to harvest early then spread the seed out to dry indoors. Either method works.

Amazing that a two-year-old would sit at a table for well over an hour and methodically pick out the largest seeds. We talked and even sang a song or two.

The munchkin gardener was fond of handing me an especially large seed then saying, "Now, PawPaw, don't eat it."

At times, I felt as though I was sitting next to my mother over sixty years ago.

The most important seed came from an especially tall, multi-headed, plant. The stalk was close to fourteen feet tall, almost six inches across at the base, had over twenty blossoms, and blooms that stretched over halfway to the ground.

Several years of cross breeding and hard work are wrapped into the seeds from this flower. My goal is to have an especially tall sunflower on a hearty, stiff, stalk, that bears twelve to fourteen inch flowers all the way to the ground. As you can see, I'm not there yet, but it's progressing. Give me another twenty, maybe thirty years, and I'll get it right.

Next year's seed is drying and carefully labeled. It will be stored in a tin canister down the basement for the winter months.

Grady and I worked out in the shop on Thursday afternoon. I had already cut out the pieces for a small housing in which to put the electric fence charger. The old one had rotted away over the years.

My munchkin gardener/carpenter was more than happy to help drive in the screws on each piece. For sure, he's learning.

Such hard work and concentration can tire a boy-carpenter out. Grady soon left the construction and made his way to my recliner where he watched Clifford the Big Red Dog while I finished the box.

Every now and then, when I'd turn on a saw, he'd put his index finger up to his lips and say, "PawPaw, I can't hear!" My reply was, "Hey Hambone, man up and read Clifford's lips."

I later mounted the box and attached the wires. Though the charger is supposed to be weatherproof, a bit of shelter can't hurt.

With all the rain, the vines on the giant pumpkin and squash plants are still growing, forcing me to walk around the perimeter each evening, trimming those back that are touching the fence.

It was a wonderful day of quality Grandma/Grandpa/Grady time. We enjoyed a short ride into town to purchase groceries. After arriving home, Grady took a nap while Grandma and PawPaw caught their breath.

Brutus met us in the drive and something looked different. It wasn't long before the pup, a bottle of Dawn Dish Washing Detergent, the garden hose, a brush, and I, all met in the back yard. Worry not, he washed out clean and is now back to his customary white.

We met Macrea last night in Florence, Wisconsin, for the Grady exchange and to enjoy pizza. As usual, Grady kept us entertained.

Sargie's sister, Jeanne, is driving over today and I think the girls are planning a day of shopping and exploring the area. I told Sargie I'd fry fish this afternoon for a Friday fish fry.

It seems awfully quiet this morning without my shadow and helper following me around.