September 27, 2016 – Tuesday

46 degrees/clouds/mist

Pentoga Road

I see that once again, the internet is out and I’m fairly certain it’s on the carrier’s part, not ours. As some may remember, for the longest time, we had difficulty receiving a signal from the tower a couple of miles away until a half man/half monkey climbed the tall tree alongside the house and mounted the antenna at the top. 

Since then, service on our end has been good.

Look closely towards the top of that tall tree.

For the first time this fall, I wore a coat and jeans during my Monday morning walk. The temperature was in the low forties accompanied by mist and gusty twenty mph winds. It wasn’t pretty or necessarily enjoyable, but I did what anyone would do, hunkered down and just kept on walking.

There was several days’ worth of laundry in the basement. I hung the sheets outside, hoping they might dry between showers. It took multiple clothes pins to keep them from blowing off the line and most snapped like a whip in the air with the fitted sheet billowing out like an out-of-control mini parachute.

I didn’t use the large wood chipper this past year, just had no need for it. Though I wrapped it in tarps and drained the gas last fall, I wanted to do some fall maintenance and let the engine run for a while.

It was impressive. After dragging it out from under the trees using the riding mower, once unwrapped, the beast started quickly and ran perfectly. I let it idle for over half an hour before closing the gas line and allowing the engine to run dry. Fuel stabilizer was added to the gas tank and the high-pressure washer used to thoroughly clean the nooks, crannies, and exterior.

I’ve thought about selling the powerful chipper. Though it’s six years old and has been used regularly until this past year, it’s in great shape and I think of how I could put that money towards something else. On the other hand, when I need it, it’s here. The chipper is the best for reducing limbs and branches, even those quite large, down to wood chips used in the garden paths and around the property. Best of all, it’s paid for, free and clear, and is all mine. I’ll wrap it again for the winter months and see what next year brings.

I was thoroughly chilled and wet by the time I came in the house. The thermometer showed the outside temperature to be hovering around 50 degrees and it was only 59 inside.  I hesitated, but finally struck the match. It seems once a fire is lit, the next time it truly dies is after a long, cold, winter has passed. Sargie and I, both, have been hesitant to concede that summer is over. There was little doubt yesterday.

It’s amazing how much a small fire, burning a bit of left over scrap lumber from this past year’s projects, can warm not only a home, but also the spirit. I later brought in a few pieces of firewood and kept the flames burning throughout the evening.

The turning chisels that were ordered last week arrived in yesterday’s mail. Hopefully they’ll be used to fashion bowls, ornaments, pens, or other woodcraft in the years to come.  I've always been curious about the workings of a wood lathe and after Mississippi Brother Garry gave me a few rudimentary lessons last winter, I was hooked. Also, much of the artistry requires touch and not so much sight, right up my alley. There’s nothing wrong with my fingers.

I could have ordered a larger set of chisels for less money, but I wanted those made from honest to goodness American steel, a metal that is known to keep its edge. These are Craftsman, manufactured back when “Made in America” meant something, and were originally sold sometime in the 1950’s or early 60’s. 

The seller said they’d been in his barn, untouched, for decades and came in their original box with the original instructions. I honestly hate to use the chisels, but I purchased them to use, not look at.

Last evening was spent watching the debate. Since this isn’t a political blog, that’s all I’ll say, but those who know me, know exactly where my feelings lie.

Sargie’s off today and what a wonderful day to be lazy. Once again it’s windy, rainy, and chilly. The fire’s burning in the stove and one large mug of coffee is already history.

I’m going to sneak out to the shop and start cleaning the mess from my last project. I’ll leave it up to Sargie what the rest of the day will bring. I doubt we’ll be in too much of a hurry to do anything. Really, it’s a good day to snuggle on the couch under a blankie with a big bowl of popcorn between us and watch a movie. I bet that can be arranged.

Time to listen to the news, think deep thoughts, and enjoy a second mug of hot, steaming, coffee. 

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

So are the tales from Pentoga Road…