Wolves just north of Crystal Falls

November 5, 2017 - Sunday

37 degrees/rain/calm winds

Pentoga Road

Seems the only people who believe there's an overabundance of wolves in the UP are those who live here. Yooper Brother Mark sent me a couple of trail cam pictures last night. They were taken not far from Pentoga Road.

Ask the many local people who've lost dogs and livestock to wolves and they'll be happy to tell you about the population. I'm certain the lady who was walking her dog in the middle of Florence last year and had the wolf snatch her dog and carry it off might think we have more than a few.

It's not unusual for Sargie or me to see a wolf, often traveling with another. I had one sit at the edge of the woods several years ago and watch as I crossed the back yard directly in front of it.

I wasn't fearful of him and he certainly felt the same about me.

One thing I'll say about this pack, they appear healthy. Thank goodness we have those city people, many who live thousands of miles away, take the time to share their expertise and tell us what's best for those of us who live here in the UP. No doubt, without them, we'd simply be lost.

We received a call last night from Mel saying Grady was a hit at the Bras for a Cause event in Iron Mountain and posted a video on Youtube.

One thing about ol' Hambone, he's not shy. He gets that from his Grandma Sargie. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VektsLcfwa8&feature=youtu.be

That's Sargie's son, Uncle Cale, who is helping Grady on and off the stage. We're told Grady was modeling a Batman bra that later sold at auction for $85.

Dancing to the theme from Batman, he looked to be the real thing. Well, with the exception of the bra. Hambone's more man than I am. 

Typically, the decorated bras are modeled by male participants in this popular annual fund raiser. I've been invited to participate, but I don't see that happening in this lifetime.

After arriving home from my walk Saturday morning, I puttered around the house while letting the shop warm up.

I'd eaten breakfast, but needed a little pick-me-up. I should never have opened the candy/chip drawer.

Oh Lord, there it was, a bag of peanut butter kisses. I'd forgotten about the impulse purchase Sargie'd made several weeks ago.

I loved these when I was a kid and called them peanut butter toffee. I'm not sure it's because they tasted so good or because they lasted a long, long, gooey, time; more bang for the buck, more chew for the candy.

Naturally, I had to open the bag yesterday and after that, it was a lost cause. I enjoyed a piece or two off and on throughout the day.



The rest of Saturday was spent in the shop. I finished the Pilgrim, worked on a scroll saw cutout, painted more pieces of a puzzle, took a nap, and started turning a bowl.

This current scroll saw piece will mount upright in this basswood stand. I had to dig out the old hand carving chisels to make grooves for the bottom to securely fit.

Originally the bowl was going to be used to make a female Pilgrim, but as I continued, I realized the wood was too good to be painted, so I aimed for a very small opening with a bulbous middle.



It was going well until I sanded just a bit too much. Suddenly, the top flew off and the bowl was ruined.



Oh well, there was nothing to do but turn off the music, heat, and lights, and come back in the house. I learned early on in this turning process that if a person gets mad every time something doesn't go as planned, he'll live a miserable life.

I'll try again today or tomorrow.

Sargie's off today and hopefully, will get some much needed rest. Her cough is better, but the girl's still feeling a tad under the weather and puny. She just finished working six long days straight and has a similar schedule this coming week. 

I'll play today by ear and will head to the shop until Sargie decides what, if anything, should be on today's agenda. It's rainy and cold. Hmm, it might be the perfect day to take an afternoon snooze.

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

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...