FINALLY, after three attempts, a pencil holder for Mom.

March 17, 2017 - Friday

28 degrees/cloudy/calm winds

Pentoga Road

I didn't know there were so many fish lovers in the world. Comments and fish stories have poured in about days gone by, most humorous, yet heartfelt. 

Strange, isn't it, how the lowly goldfish can evoke such feelings? 

I'm happy to report that Boop is housed in his own aquarium with a new friend, Grady, surrounded by a few minor mini garden pond variety goldfish. All seem to be doing well.

It began with one fourteen-cent goldfish and we now have two aquariums. Did I miss something along the way?

I migrated to the shop early Thursday morning after finding a perfect piece of birch in the wood pile.

Could I/should I/would I be able to turn Mom's pencil holder from this gorgeous hunk of tree?

Not wanting to take a chance of it breaking apart, I ventured outside the rules by turning the inside first so the outer thicker wall could support the pressure.

It took a bit of forethought to envision how I wanted the holder shaped while still working inside. The end result was removed from the lathe an hour later. Mom will have her pencil holder.

The final step is to separate the finished piece from the original  wood still attached to the lathe.

We had a late morning meeting in Iron Mountain so all shop activities were ended. After, we made our way to the pet shop where I purchased several more fish to fill both aquariums and another filter, some gravel, and all those other money-sucking objects that are needed for an aquarium. 

The day was beautiful and I decided to get a few early spring projects finished before today's forecasted snow/rain blows into the area.

The wind had taken the huge tarp off of one wood pile. With no breeze, it was a matter of dragging the covering over the top and weighing it down.

Next winter's wood supply

I also replaced the panel in the greenhouse that had been blown out by last week's windstorm. A new one is needed, but this will get us through the spring and into the summer.

As Brutus isn't allowed into the garden area, he waited patiently outside the gate. He's used to being at my side 24/7 and has a difficult time trying to understand why he must remain on the other side of the fence.

Along with our bed, furniture, or the cooking area in the kitchen, the garden is about the only place where he's not allowed.

The shadows were growing long, but the temperature warm when Sargie and I decided to walk to the lake and back, a trek of three miles.

Despite the recent nightly below zero temperatures, signs of spring are everywhere as evidenced by these popple buds alongside the lake.

Last evening was a quiet one. Sargie returns to work today, opens this morning, then closes Saturday. Sometimes life just doesn't seem fair.

I'm going for my walk this morning then return to work in the shop for the day. I've got a few requests for goodies to make so my day should be full. I like that.

It's time to throw another log on the fire and get this day on the road. First off, I need to feed the fish.

Hmm, I just had a thought, a question really. If a person slops hogs, does he also slop fish? 

I'm just throwing it out there. It's not even daylight and already, I'm thinking deep thoughts. If only you were me, you'd understand.

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

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...

Thankfully, Sargie decided to wait another couple of months before gracefully diving off the end of the dock.