The local beaver pond is completely frozen

November 22, 2016 - Tuedsay
8 degrees/clear skies/calm winds
Pentoga Road

Congratulations to my oldest grandson, Coleman, for earning a reward (a water bottle) for his effort and outstanding achievements while wrestling. I'm told the boy is dynamo and knows no fear. 

His daddy, Luke, was a talented athlete, even at that age, but more resembled a bull in a china shop than a little boy. I'm glad Coleman's efforts are being directed in a positive and athletic manner. Way to go buddy!

Monday's walk was absolutely beautiful. With temperatures well below freezing, the clear skies and bright sunshine made everything seem so crisp and clean. The five miles flew under my feet and I was home in well under an hour and a half.

 Picking rutabagas, 'er, rather prying them from the frozen ground, was the first order of the morning. I grow them for one reason only, the Mighty Milligan Thanksgiving Day Feast. Though I thinned the bed early in the summer, I learned I should have thinned it even more. There are plenty of "bagies," but there'd have been many more had I been more ruthless and given each plant more room to expand. Oh well, live and learn.

Two large bags were harvested, more than enough for Thursday's meal with plenty left over.

The rest of the day was spent in the shop. I'm happy to report that things went much better than they did on Sunday, in fact, really well.

I started by working on a piece of rock maple at the wood lathe.

Carved (chiseled, actually) from a raw piece of wood salvaged from the wood shed, the chalice slowly began to take shape.

I'd work on it for a bit, then turn my attentions to other projects in the shop.

I'm doing some router work on a Christmas present. I love the portable high-intensity lights that I can move to where ever I'm working. 

Following Mississippi Brother Garry's advice for turning, I didn't allow myself to be in a rush when working at the lathe. It's some of the best advice I've received in a long time. Working for a while on one project, I'd move on to another and return later. At one point, I had three separate projects going at once.

Sargie loves when I walk into the house scattering wood chips, much in the same manner that Charley Brown's friend, Pig Pen, left dirt.

It hasn't taken long for me to learn that we leave the shavings and chips in the shop, not the living room.

Shaping here, sanding there, the chalice slowly took form. By afternoon's end, it was ready to separate from the original stock. 

I didn't bother to treat it or apply any oil, though I can do that at any time. I simply labeled it as #1 with my name and the date on the bottom and gave it to Sargie.

I have no idea what I'll do with my future finished projects, but it's fun to make them. I imagine most will end up in the wood stove. It's not the destination that matters. It's the journey we take getting there.

Sargie was home fairly early last night and we spent the evening watching the finale of Dancing With the Stars. It's been a good season and we're already looking forward to the next. 

Sargie closes today. A winter storm is to blow through beginning late this afternoon and last well into tomorrow. I think I'm going to send her to work in the Blazer with an overnight bag. If conditions deteriorate too badly, she can stay overnight with one of her sisters in Iron Mountain.

I'm going to take a late morning walk then return to the shop. Later, rutabagas need to be peeled and cranberry sauce made in preparation for Thursday's meal. The list keeps growing and it seems to go on and on. If only you had my life, you'd understand.

First, however, I'm going to enjoy that all-important first cup of coffee, close my eyes, and listen to the news. 

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

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...