The rotary mower was rescued from Lake Pentoga on Friday

October 29, 2016 - Saturday

47 degrees/cloudy/calm winds

Pentoga Road

I'm sitting here feeling pretty sassy, perky, and oh yes, saucy, this morning. I had a dentist's appointment Friday morning, first a cleaning, then an exam. Other than one small "pit" in the side of a tooth, my choppers and gums were pronounced healthy and strong. 

I really like my dentist, Eric, and his staff, but I detest anyone having his hands in my mouth. It just doesn't seem natural and I have to suppress the urge to bite down and draw blood. I think it's a genetic carryover from the cave man days.

I'll return in December to have the one small cavity filled, then will be finished with that for another six months.

Who's that good lookin' baby giving herself kisses?
Why, It's Ivy!

I was home by midmorning and while the shop was warming up, decided to install the battery in the Ford tractor.

It didn't fit.

For whatever reason, the opening was about a quarter inch too small. I was working from a step stool, upside down, and growing tired in my attempts to drop the heavy battery down into the compartment, right side up, upside down, and sideways. 

Technically, it's supposed to slide in through the side, but the added arms of the front end loader prevented that from happening.

I finally took an interior tool box out of the compartment and was happy when the battery finally dropped in. The tool box was eventually reinstalled and the tractor was good to go.

The old Ford didn't start willingly. It's been cold and damp and I believe the sixty-four year old beast would have been happy to have simply hibernated in place until next spring. That wasn't an option. There's still work to do before snow flies. 

I steered into Lake Pentoga as my goal was to retrieve the rotary mower from under the water. I haven't captained a large vessel since living aboard my mini tugboat/trawler in Alaska. 

One difference. When I drove into a deep hole, I was reminded that the Ford didn't float, the boat did. Still, I was able to continue on to rescue the mower.

Meanwhile....

I've had something weighing heavily the past few days, whether I should purchase a portable sawmill.

I compare my desire to own a sawmill with one who still buys material and sews her own clothing...  because she can. I rest my case.

There's a fairly large infestation of Spruce Bud Worm in many of our spruce trees, especially in the middle of our property. I suppose the trees have some marketable value, but I'm not certain it would be that much. Besides, I don't want large ruts caused from heavy logging machinery scarring our property. 

I've decided to build a barn over the next couple of years so any grandchildren or nieces/nephews can be exposed to something other than video games, smart phones, and computers, for which I'll need a substantial amount of dimensional lumber. Then once Grady's older, there's a tree house to build that I promised we'd do together, the one that will be big enough for Pawpaw's recliner, a coffee pot, and can also double as a seasonal elevated deer blind. The reasons to purchase a sawmill are infinite.

My bank is offering another promotional 0% loan for fifteen months. It's the same type of deal that enabled me to purchase the backhoe, trailer, and high pressure washer. It's money that I can use and doesn't cost me a cent.

I talked with the bandsaw dealer yesterday who's located in west central Wisconsin. I can purchase a demo unit resulting in a savings of several hundred dollars. 

What to do? What to do? Stay tuned, this could get interesting.

Some time was spent in the shop on Friday afternoon, sanding, drilling, and cutting. I might have also sagged into the overstuffed recliner for a few minutes of quality Grandpa time.



It's time for a visit to Jiffy Lube to have the oil in Sargie's car changed. I decided to drive to Iron Mountain Friday afternoon and ride home with Sargie, then visit Jiffy Lube this morning.

When I walked into the Vision Center, I saw a walking talking cheeseburger who closely resembled Hambone.



It seems Grady's day care had their Halloween party on Friday and Mel, Grady's mommy, had stopped by so Grandma Sargie could see her 3rd generation cheeseburger. 

Grady's mommy, Mel, and Grady

Last evening was a quiet one. Both Sargie and I were yawning well before bedtime and it didn't take either of us long to fall asleep once we were in bed.

Sargie is back to work today and closes tonight. I'll do the Jiffy Lube thing then come back home and do whatever it is I do. In this case, I think I might hitch the trailer to the Blazer and go in and get a load of wood from Yooper Brother Mark's plant. He said there's quite a pile sitting on the ground that needs to find a home. It might as well be here.

Time to get this show on the road.

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

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...