The first drop of rain began to fall as the last of our guests left Saturday's celebration. We received another 2.1 inches.

June 21, 2017 - Wednesday

45 degrees/clear skies/calm winds

Pentoga Road

There's something wrong this morning. 

Shhhh, let me think. 

I know what it is... it's the quiet. Other than the bubbler sounding in the fish aquarium, there's no noise.

Josh, Grandma, Matt, and Luke
Standing 6 ft tall, I'm the little bitty guy.

 Mom, Christy, and the girls, departed early Monday morning. Both called later in the afternoon saying they made it home in great shape.

Since Josh's flight wasn't until later in the afternoon, we broke out the drone that Sargie had gotten me for Christmas. I've flown it very little and was anxious to see it in the air.

First, we practiced on a mini drone before proceeding to the larger one. 

As luck would have it, the large one ended up on the roof of the storage shed.

Commander Josh quickly established himself as the chief pilot and with a gusty wind blowing, we were contented to let him sit in the left hand seat of the cockpit and fly the beast.

And fly he did! That four engine machine flew up and down, over the high tension wires, garden, house, and trees.

 

Golly, how I laughed when Josh piloted the drone to chase Luke around the back yard. We roared like a bunch of junior high boys.

After taking a few shaky high altitude videos, I asked Josh to fly the drone over Lake Pentoga. Though he was hesitant, he looked fear in the eye and laughed. I would have my water video.

I got it, but while hovering in the line of duty, a tree reached out and grabbed the drone.

Like the good soldiers they are, the boys leaped into action. Roof/snow rake in hand, Matt and Luke reached up into the tree while Josh climbed high onto the teeny limbs to dislodge the thing.

Victory was their's. The drone slide down the pole and was quickly snatched before hitting the rough and turbulent waters of Lake Pentoga.

As usual, all good things come to an end. It was time to take Josh to the airport. We stopped by the giant ski hill in Iron Mountain so he could have one last look at this beautiful place we call the Upper Peninsula. 

It was difficult saying goodbye, but this daddy had to let his son go home so he could resume being a daddy and husband. 

Meanwhile...

While the cat's away...

I returned home to find Matt and Luke zooming around the property on four wheelers. When they tired of that, they played on the backhoe.

Both said it was the best toy they'd ever played with and I had to continually remind each that it wasn't a toy, but a piece of serious heavy machinery used to construct and alter the landscape on Pentoga Road.

I was reminded of Grady playing with his Tonka Trucks in the garden. All the big boys needed was a sifter, a spoon, and a pail, and they'd have been in the same class as Grady.

Since Monday was my 65th birthday, Sargie baked a beautiful and great tasting carrot cake, my favorite.

Happy Birthday was sung. It sounded so good that I decided to join in and add to the four-part disharmony.

Being a senior citizen on Medicare, I wasn't at all sure I'd be able to blow out the candles, old age and all. 

I guess I'm windier than I thought. I not only extinguished the flames, I blew some of the coconut frosting right off the cake.

We beat Matt senselessly until he agreed to vacuum the coconut from the rug.

Tuesday morning dawned way too early. Matt faced a two hour drive to Green Bay to board a plane that would take him onto Portland, Oregon, for business. Again, it was difficult to see my little guy go, but it was time for this daddy to let my little Mattie go and resume being a daddy and husband.

With all the excitement of the party and wedding on Saturday, Sargie and I had forgotten to have Yooper Brother Mark sign the wedding license. A quick trip was made into town.

A quick dash of the pen made it official. Sargie and I were FINALLY, legally, married.

Luke and I took down the screen house once we were back home. A couple of sections were left attached so it can be easily assembled the next time it's needed.

 It was time to take Little Lukie to the airport. Growing up, people used to (and still) call him, Tom Junior. He was always a daddy's boy, including crawling into bed during the wee hours of the morning and lying on top of me, tummy to tummy, nose to nose, as the contents from his cloth nighttime diapers trickled down my belly and his drool fell onto my face. 

We once again made a quick stop at the ski hill before continuing onto the airport. Telling three of my four sons goodbye in less than twenty-four hours was difficult. Mighty difficult.

As with his brothers who had left before, it was time for this daddy to let his son go home and resume the duties of being a daddy and husband. 

Yooper Brother Mark and Isabella came out last night for a visit. Mark hooked onto their camper and pulled it home. No doubt, I'll have some pictures of our visit on tomorrow's blog.

Sargie's back to work today. To add insult to injury, she has to close for the next two days and won't arrive home until 9:30 or later each night.

Me? I think I might take a day or two to relax and enjoy the peace and quiet. It seems neither Sargie or I have stopped running for the past two months.

On the other hand, I have an extremely weedy garden and there are a few things from this past weekend that need putting away.

So much for relaxing.

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

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...