June 10, 2017 - Saturday
56 degrees/cloudy/calm winds
Pentoga Road

I'm enjoying a cup of coffee and the peace and quiet an early morning affords. I suspect Mom is probably already awake, but is opting to laze some time away in bed. Mom's internal clock still beats in the Eastern Time Zone and her body is set an hour ahead. 



Grady is with us for the weekend and since it was late before we went to bed last night, he's still sleeping. With her work schedule, Grandma Sargie is happy to grab any opportunity to sleep that comes her way. All that will change once Hambone awakens.

Grady was hungry last night when he arrived. There's nothing like a good old-fashioned peanut butter and jelly sandwich to fill a growing boy's belly. Brutus remains close by should some tasty morsel drop to the floor.

Friday was a mixed bag on Pentoga Road. The day began by mowing around the garden pond, doing a bit of tilling, and plucking a weed from this bed or that.

I was looking closely at the giant pumpkin plants and am fearful they may have already contracted the fungus that put an early end to last year's pumpkin growing season. There are a few leaves beginning to turn to a brownish color. I'll treat them with fungicide later today.

Sargie has purchased several mosquito plants this spring and they seem to work pretty well. I don't know very much about them, but they give off a citronella smell that repels surrounding insects. I rub my hands on the plant then over my skin and that seems to keep the mosquitos and gnats at bay.

The garden pond has started to turn a bit murky so I decided to improvise on the filters. With Mom's help, I attached polyester quilt batting to help strain the water before it is pumped through the fountain or into the water falls.

The larger filter was placed in a milk crate and wrapped in the batting.

 It took four hands to wrap, hold, and tie the contraption.

Mom not only supervised, she stepped right up and helped. I'm glad she did. I would have had to use my toes and fingers to hold everything until it was tied.

The improvised filters seem to be working and the water was already remarkably clearer by last evening. I'll leave everything as it is for a few more days. I stirred the rocks around on the bottom and wiped any algae off the sides in an effort to clean the pond as well as possible.

While in town Friday afternoon, four six-inch suckers were purchased from Gloria at the bait shop to help keep the bottom clean.

I began installing new edging in the garden separating the grassy area from that covered with wood chips. It will help to keep the chips out of the grass and from blowing into the pond.

I was busy working when an immature brown bird landed alongside me. I quietly sat while it hopped first to me, then alongside the pond for a drink of water.

He leaned over to take a sip, lost his balance, and in he went.

Thankfully, there was a lily pad close by. My feathered friend hopped onto that, pecked at a beetle or two that was hidden among the leaves, then jumped out onto the side of the pond.

I assisted the little guy in drying off and with dry wings and a quick peck at my finger, he flew to a nearby tree.

Sargie picked up Grady after work last night and made her way to Sasha's for a birthday gathering for Jeanne. They didn't stay long and before we knew it, Grandma Sargie and Grady were home with Hambone proclaiming he was hungry. We took care of that in short order.

Later, I was given an exam by Dr. Hambone. He has acquired a doctor's kit from somewhere or the other and after extensive testing, pronounced me as being healthy.

The four of us watched television last night and it was past our bedtimes before we called it a day. 

Sargie has a shower to attend this afternoon. Great Grandma, Grady, and I, are going to tend the fort here on Pentoga Road. I have some garden work to do and no doubt, my shadow won't be far behind with Tonka truck in hand. He can make all the roads he wants in that big bare area where the giant pumpkin vines will hopefully grow.

There's also some more trim work to do around the pond. No doubt, Hambone will assist, especially if it means he'll have to get wet in the name of helping Pawpaw.

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

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...