Late afternoon on Pentoga Road
Sargie has completed the final touches on the front porch in preparation for Mom's 90th birthday party.

June 14, 2017
64 degrees/cloudy skies/calm winds
Pentoga Road

Seems Tuesday came and went in one big whirlwind. I took advantage of the clear weather to mow the front and back yard, often dodging puddles and debris left from Sunday's big rain.


There was just one problem. As I finished the back and was moving to the front yard, the mower quit moving ahead. The blade was turning, the engine running, but no amount of coaxing could get the lawn tractor moving.

I finally gave up and retrieved a tow strap. With Sargie's help, we brought the mower into the barn.

Why, I wondered, did the darn mower have to break now when it seems we're in such a rush? The deck was removed and the machine pushed onto ramps so I might crawl underneath.

Hmm, something was missing. The drive belt was intact but loose.

I walked to the front yard where I found a huge spring, one that keeps the tension on the pulleys through which the belt travels. The mower was soon reassembled and the front yard finished late in the afternoon.

The water has receded from the front and side yards, with the area on the other side of the garden still too wet to mow. Of course, Lake Pentoga is lapping at its banks and will probably remain full for the next several weeks.

Sargie was busy throughout the day fixing, cleaning, painting, washing, cooking, and doing whatever it is the hostess of a party does during the days prior.

Painting an old end table that sits on the front porch

The three of us ventured into town at one point to transfer the title of the car, add insurance coverage, and order license plates. Since Sargie will be the one who drives the car the most, the new plate will simply say SARGIE. Perfect.

With Mom's help, I changed the filters in the garden pond. Dirt and gravel had washed in with Saturday night's flood and the water was the color of coffee.




After checking just before dark last night, I'm happy to say that the water is once again clear. I'll leave the big filters on for another day or two to ensure the water quality is good.

I was watering the ferns that hang on the front porch when I saw this.

After a quick dowsing, I quickly hung the pot back in its original place and hopefully, Mama Bird won't know the difference.

We were some tired kids who went to bed last night. Mom helped and supervised all day, Sargie never quit working, and I remained the supervisee... the guy who was supervised. (There is no such word, but I had a professorial moment. After all, I was paid to think deep thoughts, you know.)

Today... hmmm. It's raining, but Sargie already has a list of honey do jobs that need to be completed, little things like take my junk off the dining room table, remove my boots from in front of the door, etc. etc. The list goes on and on.

If only you had my life.

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

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...

Lake Pentoga
And to think, I've mowed the bottom of the lake four or five times this spring.