Sunday, April 9, 2017


It appears that ice out will be sooner rather than later on several of the area lakes
April 9, 2017 - Palm Sunday
47 degrees/partly cloudy/calm winds
Pentoga Road

Last evening was the first since November that there wasn't a fire in the wood stove and when we slept with our bedroom window open. 

I enjoy early open-window mornings, snuggled next to Sargie, listening to the occasional owl, an early-morning robin crooning its tune, or a coyote yipping. 

Spring is upon us and the outdoor world seems to be awakening. 

Saturday morning began with a quick jaunt to Pentoga Village and back. I met a part time neighbor, one who bought the house on the bluff overlooking the old ghost town. His family lives west of Kenosha, Wisconsin, and uses the house as a camp, staying for only a few days throughout the year. 

Coming home, I met Dean, one of our three full time neighbors, driving down the road. Dean and his wife, Kelly, live a mile to our north. He pulled over and we had a wonderful gab session, catching up on all the neighborhood happenings. 

Once home, I made a bee line to the shop to work on the Easter egg. I donned my magnifiers and immediately noticed a large crack running from the base through the top of the egg. 

Scratch the wild cherry egg idea.

I had a scrap piece of maple. Why not?

In the end, I was grateful for the opportunity to turn the maple egg. Maple is a much more dense wood, harder, than cherry and makes a perfect medium for sculpting (or in this case, turning) a project from wood.


I ran into problems using Sharpies with which to color the ribbon on the first egg I'd turned several weeks ago. The ink was too heavy for the scored wood and to add insult to injury, the colors ran when I applied polyurethane. 

I'd picked up a set of simple colored pencils while visiting Mom. I knew lead wouldn't run, but would it be sufficient to color the ribbon? 


After some experimentation, I found the colored pencils work well. I simply held the pencil lead alongside the turning egg and let the lathe do the rest. The colors were easy to blend and none ran when the poly was applied.


Sargie and I thoroughly enjoyed the beautiful day while on our afternoon drive. It's amazing how quickly the ice is disappearing from the area lakes and we were almost gleeful when talking about the upcoming open water fishing season.


Sargie and I are fishing partners throughout the summer months, generally filling our fish basket with bluegills, crappies, and bass. We both agreed that we can hardly wait to put our little boat in the water and begin.

Some things never change
Once home, I began the process of grafting apple trees. The wood I used is from a tree in Pentoga Village, one that has the best and largest apples I've tasted in many years.




I made two new trees using preexisting dwarf root stock.


The old trees were some that I'd made seven years ago when I attempted to add a southern variety. Though the roots lived, the tops winter killed each year. 

The solution? Make a northern tree that can survive our harsh conditions.


Assuming all three of these grafts live, I'll choose the strongest and remove the other two.  The strongest graft will become the main trunk and develop branches from there. 

Grafts were also added to larger existing trees. In many cases, two grafts were inserted into one cutting. Both will be allowed to grow until I see which is the strongest, then the weakest will be removed to let the stronger one develop. 


In the end, I'll have one apple tree with two or more varieties.

Sargie was busy during the afternoon hours putting a new surface on the work bench in the garage.


Seems I only use the barn and shop for all of my repairs and creations while Sargie has gradually taken over the garage.

What's next, curtains on the windows?
We enjoyed a late afternoon stroll down the main trail towards the back of the property. Walking alongside the Man Truck (which hasn't run since early last fall) I couldn't resist the temptation to turn the key.


The engine immediately started as though I'd been driving the old beast daily throughout the winter. Hmm, there is some necessary maintenance to perform, but could it be possible the Man Truck lives to haul dirt for yet another summer? Never say never.

Mark and Sheri's parsnips, those planted last year, are sending tops upward. 


Inside, the moss rose seeds that I planted just three days ago have sprouted in the indoor greenhouse.


Gardening season is fully underway.

Sargie's vacation is over. She works today from noon to five. 

I'm going to try to turn another egg (better than laying one) and hope to begin the annual spring cleaning of the barn. I wish the slob that uses it would pick up after himself.

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

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...

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