December 31, 2017 - Sunday
-20 degrees/clear skies/calm winds
Pentoga Road

Once again, there's a chill in the air. I'm trying to look on the positive side when it's so cold.

* No mosquitoes or ticks
* Don't have to fill the hummingbird feeders
* No cutting the grass
* No weeds to pull in the garden
* No bears in the backyard

There, I feel better now.

I'm not sure what happened to the old Alaska mountain man, the fellow whose philosophy regarding cold weather was, "Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead."

I well remember being grateful when the temperature warmed to -20.

Now, my philosophy has become, "Dang, it's cold. Throw another log on the fire!"



I'm not the only one who is suffering from frigid temperatures. My son, Josh, sent this article from NewMaineNews.com.  Those poor ice fishermen in Maine, having to suffer as they do. I encourage you to read the entire article and maybe you can understand why I was so prepared to deal with the harsh realities of the Alaskan wilderness years ago:

https://newmainenews.com/2017/12/31/wardens-warn-frigid-temps-could-lead-to-burst-beers-for-ice-fishermen/#more-1330

Saturday was pretty much a nonevent of Pentoga Road. Sargie busied herself doing laundry and cleaning. 

Tom? Hmmm, well, I did manage to clean the inch of snow from the drive by hand, no snowblower or plow involved. I needed to work off a bit of energy, so I left the machinery parked in the barn.

I was going to vacuum the living room rugs, but suddenly, I had an idea. Santa's about ready to be put away for the year and honestly, he's done nothing other than sing and dance for the past four weeks. There was no reason why the old man couldn't contribute to the housekeeping at least once.

Honestly, Santa didn't do a very good job on the floors. I think it's about time for him to go back to the North Pole for the year.

Yesterdays biggest excitement came in the mail. I received a new battery for my camera. After two years of nonstop action, the camera still works well, but the power source was about all worn out. In fact, in most instances, it wasn't able to last an entire day.



Sargie and I went to town and said our goodbye's to Isabella and her mommy and daddy. 

Sargie's behind the wheel. Quick! Run and save yourself!

We talked and played for a bit before leaving. Sargie and I hate to see them go. I can only imagine how Yooper Brother Mark and Sheri feel. The kids leave from Iron Mountain later today.

Sargie works from noon to five this afternoon. Other than throw logs at the wood stove, I don't have too many plans. I may begin to gather my ice fishing gear in preparation for the season ahead, put new line on the reels, get the sonar charged and ready, the ice shack pulled from alongside the barn, etc. etc. 

On the other hand, I might just lay back in my recliner and think deep thoughts.

That deer, on the right hand side, led us home at the end of Saturday's drive.

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

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...

It must be cold. These were the only ice fishermen we saw on the area lakes yesterday.

We're back, but oh, what a trip!

December 30, 2017 - Sunday

-9 degrees/partly cloudy/breezy

Pentoga Road

My eyes are open this morning, but I'm not entirely sure I'm awake. Two days of ten-hour drives, back to back, make Tom and Sargie a couple of tired kids. 

The actual drive isn't so bad, it's the others on the road who act as though they've never seen a snow plow. I think Illinois drivers are the worst. A snowplow parked in the median of an interstate highway is enough to bring all traffic to a stop. 

"Look Ma! It's a snowplow! You think if we stopped they'd let us touch it?"

Thankfully there wasn't a large truck-mounted snowblower at hand. Had there been, we'd still be sitting, gawking at the thing somewhere down in Illinois or southern Wisconsin.

Sargie and I originally planned to leave Terre Haute early Friday morning, but that didn't happen. Rather than get out of bed at my usual early morning hour, I snuggled up with Sargie and fell back into a deep sleep. 

We bade Mom goodbye around 8 AM. The first part of the trip was flawless. Traffic was fairly heavy, but moved along at a good clip.

By the time we reached central Illinois, heavy snow was falling, making for poor visibility. To make matters worse, the traffic was heavy. 

Strange, the difference between central Indiana and the upper Midwest. We haven't seen a duck or goose in months, yet in Mom's part of the world, we saw thousands of snow and Canada geese.

It appeared most were feeding in corn fields.

We crossed a road with the same name as mine, but whoever it was named for was obviously much more important than I'll ever be.

Though I would never do it, there's just a little part of me that would like to swipe the sign and bring it back as a souvenir. Knowing my luck, I'd be discovered and get to spend time in the local jail. I can see the headlines now:

Retired Professor and Educator of Forty Years Jailed for Petty Theft

The snow continued into southern Wisconsin. It seemed as though we were hemmed in between two tractor trailers more often than not with a continual river of slush being thrown onto our windshield.

Almost a gallon of windshield wiper fluid was used on the drive home. In fact, we'll be heading to the local car wash later to remove a few layers of salt and frozen slush from the car.

Traffic remained heavy almost all the way home. It seemed everyone was heading in the same direction so we simply had to fall in line and take our time.

We enjoyed texting back and forth with Mom during the day, letting her know of our progress. For a lady who had never texted in her life until the day before, she became quite adept. 

Watch out, I think we may have a new queen of the social media!

We finally arrived back on Pentoga Road around 6:30 Friday evening. It didn't take long to unload the car and get the house warm. The rest of the evening was spent trying to keep awake. We finally gave up and went to bed.

Today will be a lazy one. Isabella, along with her parents, will be flying back to Wyoming on Sunday so we'll try to get to town today to tell them goodbye. Their time in the UP went entirely too quickly.

Otherwise, we have no plans. I think it will be a day of R&R. In fact, the most ambitious activity I have planned is to take an afternoon nap.

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

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...

SOMEONE get me out of this traffic and snow!

December 28, 2017 - Thursday evening

Terre Haute, Indiana

Not much in the way of pictures or news this evening. Honestly, I'm too tired to write.

We left Pentoga Road at 6:15 this morning. With the thermometer showing -23, I started the car well before we left to be sure it was warm. We were almost an hour down the road before the interior became comfortable.

Driving through western Wisconsin from north to south, we made excellent time. Even when traffic was heavy, it moved along.

Arrival time in Terre Haute was around 4 this afternoon. Mom asked if she might treat us to a meal at Red Lobster. Of course!

Supper finished, Sargie was dropped off at the mall. After, I brought Mom on home and saw her settled in before I joined Sargie.

The battery on my iPhone quit working this morning so I took the opportunity to stop by the Verizon store in the mall. It was there I met my newest BFF Tyler. 

Tyler, a sales associate, renewed my faith in the younger generation. He worked with my phone, called Verizon corporate, and did all sorts of digital magic. In the end, my phone worked and the battery is once again taking a charge.

I'll be writing a note to Verizon corporate telling them that they have a real winner for a sales associate in Terre Haute, Indiana.

After a fast jaunt to Sam's Club, we returned to Mom's where we enjoyed a quick visit before taking the elevator to our guest apartment.

I have no idea what time we'll head north in the morning. I'd like to leave fairly early, but both Sargie and I are a couple of tired kids. 

We'll leave when we leave.

It's past 9 and I'm writing this while lying on my back in bed, the computer on my belly. My eyes are growing heavy and they want to close. I guess I'd better let them.

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

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...

Granddaughter, Ellie, sent a picture of her puzzle that she assembled. It made making it all worth while.

December 27, 2017 - Wednesday
-21 below zero/clear skies/calm winds
Pentoga Road

For the second day in a row, we're dipping into the negative twenties. I'll tell you, this global warming thing is about to freeze us to death. At least there'll be enough ice for the fishermen to drive their trucks onto the area lakes. It appears that it will be well into the new year before temperatures begin to moderate to more seasonal norms. 

Well, darn, this will be Mom's last full day with us for the holiday season. Her next sojourn north will be this coming summer.



Mom has mentioned more than once that she finds our temperatures just a bit chilly this time of year. Quick to blame her "thin blood," I've been calling her a light weight, a real sissy.

She also thinks our current temperatures have something to do with her being cold. It's not that cold.



The temperature eventually dipped to -20 before it rose to a high of -2 degrees on Tuesday.

Mom spent much of the day learning how to work her new Jitterbug smartphone. She now navigates the mini-computer like a pro. It's not surprising since Mom uses a laptop computer and an iPad daily.

I sneaked out to the shop for an hour yesterday afternoon and began turning a bowl from red pine. It's hollowed and shaped and ready for sanding.

Several pictures came in Tuesday's email. Andy sent several of Ivy who appeared to be playing possum in Daddy's bed.

 

Aunt Joanne sent a picture of her granddaughter, Lola, on Christmas morning. Lola lives in a suburb of Atlanta, Georgia.

Yooper Brother Mark shared this photo of Isabella taken during a short ride around town while looking at the lights on Christmas evening.

Mom and I were sitting in the living room Tuesday afternoon when a doe and two yearling fawns wandered into the backyard.



I'd thrown out some old popcorn meant for the birds, but the deer arrived first.

Sargie was home early last night. I'd made a big pot of potato/bacon/cheesy/celery/green pepper soup, one of those stick to your ribs-type meals. Perfect for a cold, wintry, night.

Sargie opens the Vision Center this morning. I think Mom and I will just be lazy today. I want to spend a bit of time in the shop to complete yesterday's bowl and hopefully, have it finished to send home with Mom. 

I remember making her drawings and other goodies when I was small. Good, bad, or ugly, she always said she loved them and made me feel special for making her a little present. Some things never change. 

A Christmas present for Mom I made in the shop

We'll be heading out bright and early Thursday morning. It's going to be a flying trip down and back, but it'll be a good opportunity to get in some last-minute gabbing before seeing Mom home.

Meanwhile, the coffee's done. Time to get the day started.

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

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...

Sister-in-law, Debbie, sent several pictures from Christmas Eve's family gathering

Look who came to visit Christmas Eve morning!
It's Yooper Brother Grandpa Santa Mark!

December 26, 2017 - Tuesday

20 degrees BELOW zero/clear/windy

Pentoga Road

Simply put, it's cold. Enough said about that.

It's been a fast and furious past two days that were filled with love, laughter, hugs, kisses, and WAY too much food.

I enjoyed this Christmas more than any other in a good many years. 

Isabella brought her mommy and daddy out to Pentoga Road Sunday morning. Who happened to show up a few minutes later but Hambone with his mommy and daddy.

Isabella and Grady became good friends last summer when Isabella was visiting from Wyoming.

They were catching up on old times when who should appear? SANTA!

Isabella was initially a bit hesitant, but there was nothing shy about Grady. He looked at the occasion as a prime opportunity to tell Santa exactly what he wanted for Christmas.

With a little encouragement, Isabella joined Grady as both talked to Santa.

Of course, everyone knows that Santa's not for children only. Mom lost no time in bending the old man's ear.

Santa's time was limited and he told us he needed to get back to the North Pole to pack his bag of toys to deliver later that night.

With promises that all the girls and boys, both big and little, would be good, the jolly old elf waved goodbye and made his way to the roof to board his sleigh and fly northward.

We enjoyed breakfast. Once again, Grady and Isabella used the time to catch up.

Isabella particularly liked Uncle Tom's honey berry jam.

I found an extra jar in the basement to send back to Wyoming with her.

Isabella particularly liked the puzzle I'd made for her. We spent quite a bit of time learning how to put it together.

With hugs, kisses, and I love you's, Grady and his mommy and daddy drove off to another social obligation. Isabella later gathered her mommy and daddy and they departed for Yooper Brother Mark and Sheri's. We'll see Isabella, Sarah, and Curtis before they fly back home.

Christmas Eve found us at Jeanne and Boyd's in Iron Mountain for the Annual Mighty Milligan Christmas Celebration!

Nancy and Sargie

Sargie and Trish

Auntie Hollyhock gave me a wonderful plate of Christmas cookies so I might have one per morning with my coffee. Unfortunately, between Mom, Sargie, and me, they'll be lucky to last another day or two.

Christmas morning saw Mom, Sargie, and me, opening presents. Santa was good to us all.

Mary, as in the mother of Baby Jesus

We enjoyed a small, informal luncheon at Taylor and Nicki's in Foster City Christmas afternoon. 

Sargie's back to work this morning. With the temperature threatening to dip to -20 accompanied by a brisk wind, I think I'll skip my daily walk. I plan on setting up my Alexa Echo that Sargie gave me for Christmas and playing with the other toys I received.

Nancy's giving Jeanne and me a few tips on how to become successful JC Penney models.

I'm sure Mom will stay close to the wood stove today and no doubt, we'll be watching some television.

Meanwhile, the coffee's done and it's time to start the day.

I had this made for Sargie for Christmas. 2012 was the year we were engaged, 2017 the year we were married.

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

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...