With a second coat of fire engine red glossy paint, the garden gate is positively glowing.

June 2, 2017 - Friday
44 degrees/sunny/calm winds
Pentoga Road

I didn't realize that yesterday signaled a milestone in my life. It was June 1, 2017!

As of Thursday at midnight, I officially went on Medicare. I've joined the ranks of millions of others who depend on the government as their primary healthcare provider.

Boy, that's scary. We've got a Congress and Senate (on both sides of the aisle) that don't know their backsides from a hole in the ground and they're going to take care of me? Thankfully, my Alaska health insurance automatically becomes my secondary provider. 

It was another busy one on Thursday, too busy. After arriving home from Iron Mountain, I spent several hours moving furniture and scrubbing the second floor carpet.

I didn't think the carpet was dirty until it dried and was vacuumed later in the afternoon. What a difference. It now feels soft and looks much better.

I moved out to the garden during the afternoon and finished planting, mostly flowers. I'm glad that's done. Gardening season hasn't really started and I'm pooped. I'm looking forward to slowing down, plucking the occasional weed, and watching everything grow.

The first of the potatoes are popping through the ground

It was time to treat myself, to do something other than work. 

I finally got my fishing license on the way home from Iron Mountain and decided to get the boat ready for another season of action packed adventure. Today's forecast calls for temperatures to be near 80, sunny skies, and no wind. I'd go fishing first thing Friday morning, put some meat on the table.

The pressure washer was used to remove last winter's dirt and grime. The battery was recharged, fishing line checked, and everything made ready for today's maiden voyage.

I'd just finished when I remembered Brutus has a vet's appointment this morning at 10 for his annual checkup and vaccinations.

To add insult to injury, I recalled that our couch and recliner are to be delivered today. I assured the furniture company that I'd be home all day and the time of delivery didn't matter.

How many other ways could I have shot myself in the foot to prevent me from going fishing?

It was then I panicked. What happens if the delivery people come at the same time I'm taking Brutus to the vet's? I'll call as soon as they open this morning and try to delay the delivery.

The back popple woods needed to be trimmed. I hopped on the mower and proceeded to hit a stump and bent a bracket that protects the power take off pulley on the bottom of the engine.

Worse yet, I broke a wire that connects the on/off switch to the power take off.

The deck removed and the problem found, I discovered the wire broke at the pulley and there isn't enough room to splice it. It'll be taken to the mechanic's today. 

Hey, doesn't money grow on trees?

So yesterday wasn't a red letter day in my book, but we have clean carpeting on the second floor, the garden is planted, and I'm on Medicare. 

Since Sargie closes tonight, I hope to go fishing late this afternoon. Everything's ready. All I have to do is hook onto the trailer.

Meanwhile, I think I'll head out to the garden and see if anything grew during the night.

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

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...

One of the double ruffled petunias I started from seed late last winter.