For whatever reason, Grady insisted we both wear stocking caps last night.

December 4, 2016 - Sunday
26 degrees/cloudy/calm winds
Pentoga Road

It was nice and quiet until about ten minutes ago. I was sitting, contemplating the upcoming day, when I heard my name being called from upstairs.

"Pawpaw, I stuck.

Pawpaw, come hep me, I stuck.

Pawpaw... I stuck!

Pawpaw!!!

Pawpaw, come hep me. It's me, Grady. I stuck!!!!"

What did I find? Hambone had somehow managed to wedge his fingers under the mattress.

We quickly freed those pinkies, grabbed his favorite bedtime toy, the singing pig, and just like that, the day was underway.

I'll admit, Pawpaw bailed. Grandma Sargie was still in bed (it's not yet daylight) so I carried Grady, along with the singing pig, into our bedroom and tucked him in alongside Sargie. The last I knew, they were playing with the pig and talking.

Hard to believe. A single viola is still blooming in the flower box. We've had temperatures well below freezing and several inches of snow, but the plant refuses to die.

Saturday was a day filled with honey-do jobs. After completing my usual walk, I began doing some meaningful house-husband work. 

For the next several hours, the floors were cleaned and vacuumed, everything was dusted, and I even managed to wash three loads of laundry. Sargie worked six days straight and had to close three of those six, so I wanted her to be able to relax today. 

Yooper Brother Mark and Sheri were busy on Saturday. One of the local industries was having their company Christmas party for the employee's children and Mark and Sheri were called upon to fill in for Mr. and Mrs. Claus.

Sheri's 4H group also had a float in last night's Iron River Christmas parade and Mark sent a few photos during the evening.

The annual Christmas fireworks display followed the parade.



Meanwhile, back on Pentoga Road, I found some time later in the afternoon to sneak outside and wash the octagonal window in the stairwell.



I'd splashed pesticide on it earlier this fall while spraying for cluster flies. 

While the ladder was out, I took the opportunity to clean out the flue to the wood stove. Once snow falls, the metal roof becomes very slippery.

The last outside chore of the day was to carry in wood. We've been burning more and more as cold weather sets in. Not to worry, there's at least two years' supply in storage if not more.



Macrea called later in the evening saying he and Mel had decided to go to the Packers game in Green Bay and wanted to know if Grady could come and visit. Well, of course!



The little guy was so excited that we'd gotten a six foot Santa and spent over half an hour singing and dancing along with the jolly old fellow.

Macrea had a business dinner in Iron Wood last night and stopped on his way home to Iron Mountain. It was good to have both boys here for a bit before Macrea headed home.

Other than watch the Packers game today at noon, I'm unsure what's on the agenda. Grady and I have talked about putting up the outside Christmas lights, so we'll try to get that done before the game starts. Sometime today, we'll go to town. No Sunday would be complete without our weekly dose of fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and all the fixins'. 

Oops, I hear Grady and Grandma Sargie coming down the stairs. It's time to get this day on the road.

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

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...