Mommy (Mel) shared this picture of Grady.
Wonder if he'd answer to Ham Man?

June 30, 2017 - Friday
58 degrees/rain/calm winds
Pentoga Road

I'm up early this morning as we're expecting Isabella to arrive shortly after 7 AM. Though I offered to drive to town to get her, Sheri said she'd probably settle into the idea of spending the day on Pentoga Road if Grandma brought her out. We're ready.

The majority of Thursday was spent in the shop. I rode with Sargie first thing to Iron Mountain so I could have the oil changed in both the Kia and Blazer. We're fairly religious about keeping regular oil changes in both vehicles as each has well over a hundred thousand miles showing on the odometer. In fact, the Kia will turn over two-hundred thousand before summer's end. 

I stopped to see Sargie before leaving town. With the Vision Center short handed, she worked alone until 11 Thursday morning.



I noticed a new sign in Walmart. It's pretty self explanatory.

My question is where are they going to find someone who works at Walmart in Iron Mountain, Michigan, to speak Punjabi? I doubt they'll have much more success with Farsi or Vietnamese. No doubt, the translation would be conducted by phone or video from a central office.

Once home, I did a quick spot check on the garden between rain showers and was overjoyed to see that one of the remaining giant pumpkin plants has the beginnings of a female blossom!

The little yellow dot is the start of a giant pumpkin. Only 699 pounds, 15.5 ounces, to go before the first frost!

It's extremely unusual for a female blossom to be the first on a plant and now I'm worried there won't be a male available to fertilize it when the time comes. Oh well, we have a week, possibly ten days before it will be ready for pollination. Hopefully some young male flower will step forth and volunteer. Isn't that what every young guy dreams about? 

The rest of the day was spent in the shop. My first task was to work on the plate/bowl... whatever it is. I spent quite a bit of time turning over the course of the day, something I really enjoyed.



The wood cleared the bed of the lathe by a mere fraction of an inch and is the largest piece possible that can be turned on that particular machine. 

I especially love the grain. Hard to believe that I fished the piece of birch out of the junk wood bin and saved it from being burned in the wood stove. It's been sitting on my work bench for the past several months and I grew tired of moving it.



I still have several layers of polyurethane to apply, more buffing, etc., but otherwise, I think I'll call the piece finished. It'll either get sold or be someone's birthday or Christmas present.

Most of the day was spent sitting in front of the scroll saw working on a Fourth of July piece.

 

The letters will be accentuated and carved by hand and then the entire piece mounted over a red, white, and blue, background. 

Sargie walked in last night with Hambone in tow. He ate a big supper and was happy to watch a dance show on DVR along with his old grandparents. He even told us he when he had to go potty, so to celebrate, we had bowls of ice cream. Grady chose to have both chocolate AND vanilla. The kid leads a wild culinary life.

Later, just before bed, he demonstrated his dance moves to Sargie and me. One thing I'll say, the kid can shake, rattle, and roll. His favorite dance tune before saying his prayers and going to bed is now the Beer Barrel Polka. 

Isabella's due to arrive within an hour. Grady was excited last night that he'll have someone to play with all day.

Supposedly there's only a 20% chance of rain, but some type of liquid is hitting the roof as I write and I don't believe there's a flock of birds flying over. Armed with trikes and sidewalk chalk, trucks and toys, we're ready for an action packed day. Now if the weather will only cooperate.

Time for another cup of coffee and get this munchkin-filled day on the road.

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

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...

Our evening snack after supper was popcorn. Hambone told me his daddy also makes really really good popcorn.

Wednesday was honey/strawberry jam day on Pentoga Road

June 29, 2017 - Thursday

63 degrees/cloudy-rain/calm winds

Pentoga Road

For it being so rainy and breezy on Wednesday, I managed to keep busy. In fact, the day flew by.

The morning started by resuming my three mile regimen of walking. The heels are hurting a bit, but not horribly. I guess I'll have to break down and visit the podiatrist, see if she can give me a shot of cortisone in each heel so I can resume life as I know it.

I'm always amazed at how much I miss when I don't walk, the animals, flowers, and roadside happenings that are too subtle to be seen from a car.

The wild flowers are beginning to bloom in abundance. These small yellow ones are beautiful and give a yellowish cast to the surrounding area.

Once home, I began the process of making honeyberry/strawberry jam.

I wanted to include rhubarb in the mix, but I'd already picked enough berries to fill exactly twenty-four jelly jars.

The jars are heated in boiling water to ensure that when the mixture cools, the lids will seal tightly.

Quite the mess was made before I was finished, but what can one expect from any recipe that calls for twelve cups of mashed fruit, four bags of pectin and twenty-two cups of sugar.

In the end, all the jars sealed and the exteriors washed and carried to the basement to be stored until needed. It took the rest of the morning to clean the kitchen and wash the dishes.

I moved my attentions to washing three loads of laundry. All were washed, dried, and folded or hung by day's end.

My favorite part of the day was working on the decorative dish that's mounted on the lathe.

Made from birch, it's by far the largest piece I've tried turning and I'm having fun designing the small serving platter as I go.

Stay tuned. I have no idea what it will be like in the end. 

I'm sure looking forward to adding on to the shop (next month, I hope) then eventually purchasing a larger lathe. The one I have is a wonderful learning tool and is perfect for smaller projects. A larger one will allow me to do much more.

Sargie has shown a great deal of interest in the shop, possibly helping on projects that utilize the power tools. (I think she's secretly fearful I'm going to cut off a finger.) Seems I have the imagination, but Sargie's the artist, the one who adds some real personality to any work.

 In fact, we're beginning to make some initial plans to offer custom made block names, snowmen (or soldiers or nutcrackers) turned on the lathe, and a few other goodies for sale. My oldest son, Josh, is giving us suggestions about how to market them online and I'm excited about the prospect of Sargie and I working together. There is one problem. I'll have to change my sign to read:

No gurlz allowed except Sargie and Mom

I need to be wary. Before I know it, both will be wanting to sit in my recliner. Is there no God?

I ran through the shower late Wednesday afternoon and drove to Iron Mountain so I could ride home with Sargie. With all the long hours she's been working, I wanted to take advantage of the drive to have some quality time together. As usual, the trip back home seemed to end before it even began.

I'll be riding to Iron Mountain this morning. Sargie opens today, but has the next four days off due to the upcoming 4th of July holiday. 

Isabella will be with us tomorrow. Since she and Grady are buddies, Sargie will be bringing ol' Hambone home tonight. We're praying for a nice day so they can ride trikes up and down the drive, play in the sandbox, and keep each other entertained. Regardless, we're looking forward to having them both. 

Isabella stayed with Auntie Jenna yesterday and I'd say they visited Uncle Jerad at the town garage. She looks a lot cuter on that mower than her uncle! Grandpa Yooper Brother Mark forwarded this picture from New York where he is visiting one of their three facilities this week.

Meanwhile, it's time to shake a leg and get this rainy day started. Both cars will be taken to Jiffy Lube for oil changes this morning and there are a few other errands to run while in Iron Mountain.

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

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...

The garden woes continue. A gust of wind picked up a giant pumpkin plant Wednesday, flipped it over, and broke the stem. This is turning out to be one of those years that I should have just planted a cover crop and called it good 'nuff.

Tuesday
A day without rain meant it was time to go fishing.

June 28, 2017 - Wednesday

53 degrees/high overcast/calm winds

Pentoga Road

That's exactly what happened Tuesday morning. I hooked the trailer onto the Blazer and went fishing.

With all the rain that's fallen in the past two months, the water was high, murky, and fishing wasn't the best, but who cared? It was good to get away from Pentoga Road for a bit and enjoy some different scenery.

I caught several "eaters," but turned them back as there weren't enough in the basket to make a meal. In my younger days, I'd have flogged the water until the basket was full, but in my more advanced years, I've learned to stop and smell the roses along the way, even while sitting in a small boat under the pretense of going fishing. 

Once home, I picked the rest of the honeyberries along with a few strawberries. Harvesting was the easy part. The real chore was cleaning them.

It took almost two hours to separate the stems and leaves and to wash and clean enough berries to fill a large serving bowl, but there're enough to make at least twelve half pint jars of jam. Sargie suggested I throw in some rhubarb, so the concoction may make even more.

With that in mind, I went to town later in the afternoon to purchase more jelly jars, sugar, and pectin. Storms are in the forecast for later today and I wanted to have everything needed to make jam and not have to worry about driving.

The ice cream man was parked at the soccer field where there were several games in progress. We live in one of the few areas I know of where the Good Humor Man still drives up and down the streets, music and bells playing, letting everyone know he's in the neighborhood.

While in town, I drove past the local summer ice cream place and noticed something a bit different. Just to the side of the cars in the parking lot were two horses tied to a picnic table. 

Small town America is still alive and well, one of the many reasons we live here. There're aren't too many places remaining where a cowgirl can saddle her horse and ride into town for an ice cream cone.

Sargie was home fairly early and we spent the evening talking and watching America's Got Talent. It's an exciting life we lead here on Pentoga Road.

Sargie opens today. I think I'll try to walk a quick three miles before the rain begins. Otherwise, the morning will be spent in the kitchen making honeyberry/strawberry/rhubarb jam. I hope to be in the shop this afternoon fashioning a plate from birch.

Who knows, I just might have to lay back in my recliner and close my eyes somewhere along the way. The sound of rain hitting the metal roof has that affect on me.

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

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...

Granddaughter, Ivy, looking out over the Atlantic Ocean in Old Orchard Beach, Maine

June 27, 2017 - Tuesday

47 degrees/clear skies/calm winds

Pentoga Road

Talk about a worthless day. Monday certainly qualified.

I managed to get into the garden for a short time before the rain started... again. To add insult to injury, it not only rained, but the early morning temperature rose no higher than 45 degrees.

I was weeding the onions when it occurred to me that if it were only ten degrees colder, the light rain that was falling could very well be snow.

The first drop hit me square on the forehead. Swearing, I hastily wiped both hands on my jeans before blowing on them in an attempt to regain some feeling and sprinted to the house. 

Yooper Brother Mark had previously made mention about finding a tricycle for Isabella. I'd seen one at the thrift shop in Crystal Falls late last week and volunteered to get it for her. With rain falling, there wasn't much else to do anyway.

I found two kiddy vehicles. One was a conventional tricycle, the other a tiny two wheeler with training wheels. For a mere $17, I purchased both telling Mark that they were Isabella's as long as she's visiting, then Grady can use them after she leaves. 

After dropping them off at Mark and Sheri's, I came back home and got lazy, real lazy. Watching a documentary, it was almost two hours before I turned the tv set off. With rain falling, the wind blowing, and temperatures making it feel as though it ought to be November rather than late June, there was nary a shred of guilt on my part. Besides, everyone is always telling me to slow down, that I'm retired and it's okay to be lazy. 

I thought I'd try it and see how it feels.

It felt good. Mighty good.

The sun finally came out around four and I just couldn't stay inside any longer. Grabbing an old ice cream pail, I headed to the honeyberry bushes in the orchard and began picking.

A member of the honeysuckle family, honeyberries are a fairly new introduction to the gardening community in North America. Mine are from an extremely hardy strain developed in Saskatchewan, Canada.

Two of my five bushes are five years old and are loaded with berries.

The fruits are oblong in shape, fairly large, and taste similar to a blueberry.

 Almost an hour and a half was spent was spent plucking the berries from the bushes and all should be finished today. As of now, Wednesday's looking as though it will be spent making honeyberry jam.

It appears we'll have a bumper crop of blueberries this year, but we need sun and warm temperatures. The dozen plants are approaching shoulder height and most are loaded with fruit.

Sargie had asked earlier if I would water the ferns and flowers growing on the front porch. With all the rain, we'd forgotten to water anything under cover.

I took down the pot that previously had the nest containing eggs and what did I find but a nest with several baby birds.

Mama, a white breasted sparrow, was hesitant to leave, but sat patiently nearby as I carefully watered around the nest. The pot rehung, Mama lost no time inspecting her babies before covering them with her body. 

Sargie didn't arrive home last night until well past 9:30. She opens today making last night a short one.

I think I'll attempt walking a few miles this morning. The bone spurs in both heels have quit hurting and it's time to test the waters. Going from walking three to five miles a day down to nothing has about driven me crazy this summer. I enjoy my early morning strolls through the countryside. Keep your fingers crossed.

I hope to pick the rest of the honeyberries today and possibly drive to town for any supplies needed to make jam. On the other hand, there's no wind and I've only been fishing a couple of times this summer. 

Walking/picking berries vs fishing. 

You know, if I hustle around, I could probably do it all. 

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

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...

Isabella found a turtle making its way through Grandma and Grandpa's yard Monday afternoon.

Old fashioned single petal peonies just like Grandma Reinhardt grew in her yard over sixty years ago.

June 26,  2017 - Monday
47 degrees/cloudy skies/calm winds
Pentoga Road

Mom is officially 90 years old today! Though we celebrated last weekend, I wish Sargie and I could be with her today and take her out to one of her favorite restaurants, Red Lobster. 

S'cuse me for a moment.

Maestro, please....

Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to youuu
Happy birthday dear Mamaaa
Happy birthday toooo YOOOOOUUUUU!!!!!

Again, happy 90th birthday Mama. We love you!

Let's see... almost 3.5 inches of rain has fallen in the past thirty-six hours. Anybody need an inch or two of precipitation? I'd be happy to give you some of ours.

Despite poor conditions and muddy ground, I was in the garden first thing Sunday morning. It's been a long time since I've pawed around in the mud pulling weeds. It wasn't fun, but I couldn't let them take over my garden.

Half of the Jack Be Little pumpkin plants were washed away in last week's flood. 

The potatoes are certainly thriving. I've never had tops as large as these and can only hope the plants have bottoms to match. 

A giant pumpkin plant is finally sending out a runner. The condition of the surrounding soil makes me sick. The running water carried away all the top soil and compost I've worked so hard to develop over the years leaving little other than gravel.



 It's a challenging growing year, that's for sure.

Seeing Sargie off to work late in the morning, I moved into the shop where I finally figured out a way to mount the cup I'd made on Saturday.



The jaws (left) on the lathe open and close and can be used either way. I merely opened them into the cup so it could be held, then turned the base down small enough that it too could be clamped into the jaws. 

I worked for sometime on the bowl/cup and turned the walls down and made the base much thinner. In the end, I was much happier with the outcome than the work of the day before.

I've been fiddling around on a natural birch... stick (for lack of a better word) and finished it yesterday. The biggest challenge was turning the inside even though the exterior wasn't round. Doing so made the walls uneven, but hey, the entire piece is anything but even.



Another challenge was to let the piece sit for several months for the wood to shrink and dry, then apply glue and let it run between the bark and wood so it wouldn't peel away.

I have no idea what I'm going to do with this thing, but it was a great challenge and fun to make. It would make a great pencil holder for a person who wants a piece of the North Woods sitting on his desk.

The grass was finally dry enough to mow. I could hear thunder rumbling off in the distance, but I didn't let that stop me.

Thankfully, the rain held off long enough that the yard could be finished. 

It rained and rained and rained. There's 3.4 inches of water sitting in the rain gauge, the amount that's fallen over the past thirty-six hours.

Sargie was home early from the Vision Center. I popped huge bowls of popcorn and we enjoyed an evening in front of the television doing absolutely nothing other than chomping, watching, and talking.

Poor Sargie closes tonight. I have some errands to run in town today, but otherwise, I imagine I'll be back in the shop. It's what we old retired guys do on rainy days.

Peonies surrounded by asparagus fronds in the garden

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

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...

I wanted to get the side yard mowed before water begins to flow through again.

Another 2.4 inches of rain fell on Saturday with more in today's forecast.

June 25, 2017 - Sunday

58 degrees/cloudy/calm winds

Pentoga Road

I see the mention of rain is included in eight out of the next ten days in the extended forecast. 

An ark?

A bridge?

How about a series of dikes. All I need is a little boy to stick his finger in any leaky holes. I wonder if Hambone is busy?

I managed to get into the garden early Saturday morning and weed half a bed before the monsoon began. Strange, about half the plants are rotting or badly infected with fungus. The other half seem to be flourishing and growing at record speed. The beans and potatoes are some of the nicest I've seen in a long time. The sunflowers, those that managed to sprout, are finally taking off. 

And the rest of the garden? 

To those plants I say, "Rest in Peace!"

Once the rain began, I came inside and made popcorn for Sasha's wedding shower.

Even at 8 AM, there's nothing like the smell of hot, buttered, popcorn. I made a large garbage bag full.

Sargie's goal is for us to finish all the leftovers from last week's party. Yesterday morning's brunch was a repeat of the concoction Matt and Luke made while he was here, diced cheddar/bacon brat patties mixed with scrambled eggs.

T'wasn't as good as Matt and Luke's but it tasted mighty fine and as Sargie said, "It sticks with you throughout the day." It sure did.

Sargie left for Sasha's shower in the early afternoon. I hated to see her drive off into the pouring rain. Saturday was one of those days meant for eating popcorn and watching a good movie while snuggled together on the couch under a warm blanket.

 Sargie later said the wedding shower was wonderful and despite the rain, everyone had a good time. 

I headed to the shop where I prepared a piece of maple and began turning.

My intentions were to make a bowl connected by a spindle to a rather large base.

It was one of those times where I could envision what I wanted, but couldn't make my hands shape what was in my head.

The base came out entirely too large, the spindle not thin enough, and the thicker walls and shape of the bowl made it look like a munchkin goblet gone horribly wrong.

Oh well, there's an entire pile of dry firewood in the shed on which to practice. I'll get it right sooner or later.

Sargie arrived home early in the evening and proclaimed the house cold and damp. I agreed. Not willing to start a fire in the wood stove, I ran the oil furnace for a few minutes to remove the dampness. 

Last night was spent snuggled on the couch under a blanket watching tv. Better late than never.

Sargie works today from noon until five. There's little doubt I'll head out to the shop and make some sort of mess. I'm tempted to mount that thing I made yesterday back on the lathe to make some changes.

Worse case scenario is that it will crack or fall apart and become kindling for next fall's fires in the wood stove. 

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

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...