Tales from Pentoga

Internet service has finally been restored after Friday's storm that included swirling clouds, high winds, and blowing leaves

September 25, 2017 - Monday

62 degrees/sun/haze/calm winds

Pentoga Road

I learned this past weekend how much I use the internet throughout an average day. I had no idea that I check the weather forecast, listen to the news, read my email, or look at scroll saw patterns and turning videos so often.

It's the same feeling as a watch wearer has when he forgets his timepiece and keeps looking at an empty wrist.

That's why I quit wearing one thirty years ago. I remember thinking that time passes by all too quickly. I didn't need to keep track of its progress.

It was quite the storm that hit on Friday. After a day of hot temperatures and high humidity, severe weather blew in with a vengeance.

At one point, I thought the flag pole was going to break in two as it was almost bent double.

I later went to town on an errand and discovered how lucky we were to have only lost our internet service.

The storm caused the leaves to drop somewhat prematurely. When mowing the lawn, I often felt I was driving through a sea of maple and popple leaves.

As soon as the majority of the trees are bare, I'll use the lawn sweeper to gather the rest.

I made another batch of dried apple slices, this time coating each with cinnamon and sugar.

Talk about good. They are addictive and most disappeared while Grady and his parents were visiting on Saturday evening.

Speaking of Hambone, we did have a good time.

There's something about a body of water, regardless how small, some goldfish, and a rock or two to throw in the water, that attracts a three year old.

Toss bare feet and a fuzzy caterpillar into the mix and life doesn't get any better.

Sunday dawned hot and humid. Sargie had to work from noon to five. I spent most the day in the shop working on our grandbabies' Christmas/birthday gifts. I also applied several more coats of poly to my latest bowl.

Under Mississippi Brother Garry's tutelage, I'm finally learning how to achieve a glossy, wet, look, finding that it involves lots of sanding, buffing, and multiple applications of polyurethane.

I walked to the Brule River yesterday afternoon after turning on the Packers football game, then promptly turning it off when I saw three Green Bay players refusing to rise for the National Anthem.

I knew it was happening all over the National Football League, but never in the All American city of Green Bay, Wisconsin, where the rule of life is: God, Mom, Country, and the Packers.

How dumb and naive can I be?

I wonder how long a common person, who actually works for a living, say at Walmart, or teaching school, or in a factory, would keep his job if he decided to protest and "make a statement of support" during his shift?

The National Hockey League gained its newest fan on Sunday afternoon.

I noticed on my walk that there are a few plums on the trees in Pentoga Village.

They still have a ways to go before they're ripe, but I'm keeping my eye on them.

Sargie works today from noon until eight. I'm going for my walk fairly soon while it's still cool then plan to spend most the day in the shop. The forecast is calling for storms later this afternoon and continuing into tomorrow as a cold front approaches. Hopefully, all our trees will remain upright.