I hated to see Sargie drive to work in a storm that included freezing rain and snow on Tuesday

February 8, 2017 - Wednesday

8 degrees/partly cloudy/breezy

Pentoga Road

It was a mixture of rain and snow that fell for most of Tuesday. With warm air overriding the cold below, it didn't take long for any liquid precipitation to quickly freeze, making for some slippery conditions.

Thankfully, we had several inches of snow to cover the roads that provided a bit of traction.

Sargie dropped me off after three miles and walking was strenuous. Traffic was nonexistent and I didn't meet one truck or car the entire time trudging back home.

As usual, most of the day was spent in the shop. I am getting close to finishing one project that still needs some sanding, filling, and touching up.

The hickory Yooper Brother Mark brought back from Kentucky has been calling to me. Though it's still green and not really ready to turn, I've been curious what the grain might look like. With that, I ripped a piece and mounted it on the lathe.

Hickory is hard. Oh boy, is it hard! In fact, halfway through turning a practice spindle, making nothing really, I was forced to stop and sharpen two of the chisels I'd been using. 

In the end, the grain is beautiful. I practiced some new techniques and am eager for the rest of the hickory to dry, (hopefully by this coming summer's end) so I might get serious about using it in the future.

Sargie suggested I drill a hole in one end and use it as a candle holder.

It was almost dark before I quit so I might plow the drive.

Thankfully, the snow was somewhat fluffy and the few inches weren't difficult to push.

It quit snowing by mid evening and Sargie decided to come home rather than stay at one of her sisters' in Iron Mountain. In the end, she didn't have any difficulties, but kept her speed slow. It was past 9:30 before she walked in the door.

Sargie opens today. She'll probably meet herself coming in from last night as she exits this morning. It was a short night for my girl.

My day should be the same as yesterday with just a dash of laundry and a bit of housework thrown in. I'll go for my walk then come home and throw a load of dark clothes in the washer before heading out to the shop. I glued and clamped four pieces of hickory last night and would like to try turning those. 

Again, because the wood isn't cured, whatever I make will probably warp and crack, but I'm eager to see what a bowl made from hickory will look like.

Meanwhile, it's time to get breakfast ready, pack Sargie's lunch, throw another log on the fire, see if the road was plowed overnight, and continue work on cold fusion. Solving perpetual motion will have to wait until tomorrow. Today's already booked. 

If only you had my life.

With a mere three houses in a three-mile stretch, Pentoga Road is usually the last to be plowed.

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

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...