Grandson, Coleman, with a dandy largemouth bass

January 18, 2017 - Wednesday

21 degrees/clear skies/calm winds

Pentoga Road

I've had some nice pictures come in over the past couple of days, each from opposite sides of the country.

Luke sent a couple from this past weekend. I think I need to begin hanging out with my grandson and his buddies to learn how it's done!

It is gratifying to see three young boys spending an afternoon out on the ice, running tip ups, fishing, and having a good time. You don't see one of them looking at a phone and all three are wearing smiles. I'm a proud grandpa and daddy, not only of Coleman, but also of my son, Luke, for raising Coleman and Abigail to love the outdoors. 

My buddy, John, who splits his retirement time between Boise, Idaho, and Sitka, Alaska, sent these pictures of a fishing trip to the Cascades, way up in the mountains of Idaho, this past weekend for giant perch.

John's in the middle

John was superintendent of schools in Sitka for many years and has been a major influence in the education scene in Alaska for even longer. A Master Gardener, he and I are continually communicating about growing methods and varieties. John's a native of Wisconsin and along with Yooper Brother Mark and I, helps to coach the Packers on Sunday afternoons during the season. 

Now that's what I call a perch

My walk went well on Tuesday morning. With temperatures above normal and the sun brightly shining, my coat was unzipped and stocking cap removed by the time I arrived home. It felt as though spring had sprung in the UP.

The rest of the morning was spent helping Neighbor Mike at his camp. The scaffolding we'd assembled had to be taken down and moved, then reassembled. It wasn't a bad chore and of course, we talked the entire time. 

I arrived home shortly after noon only to find that this past week's heavy snow had melted enough to slide off the metal roof, completely covering the back patio.

Every time there's a heavy snow, I get to clean the deck twice, the first time when it actually snows, the second when it falls from the roof.

When the day arrives that we have the downstairs bedroom added on, it will no longer be a problem since the room will be where the deck is and the snow can slide into the back yard. The deck will be on the other side of the living room, facing the garden.

I spent a couple hours in the shop cleaning, then finished sawing the crappie.

The inside cuts all need to be sanded, the frame made square, and of course, the background added. I'm going to try a new technique (to me) for the background, that of using two colors of spray paint, black and blue, and blending one into the other. It should work, but I've never tried it.

I left mid afternoon for Iron Mountain. With a fistful of errands to run today, I decided to drive over and meet Sargie, then ride back home with her. 

After Monday night's debacle, I arrived well before dark. Sargie and I both commented how the days are becoming noticeably longer, a sure sign that spring is on it's way. We grabbed a burger and were soon on our way back home.

Sargie closes tonight, so we won't leave for Iron Mountain until mid morning. I have four or five stops to make before I head back to Pentoga Road.

With a forecast high of forty degrees, little or no wind, and bright sunshine, I think I'll spend this afternoon sitting in the sunshine in front of the barn, sanding the crappie, and soaking up the warmth of the sun as it bounces off the pavement. 

It's what we old guys do in our spare time.

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

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...

Sargie bought me a respirator mask to wear when I'm sanding in the shop. Butus was quick to explore who that new person was behind the mask.