This large Christmas ornament is hanging in the lobby of Mom's building. I'm going to try duplicating it before next Christmas.

 December 17, 2017 - Sunday
17 degrees/cloudy/calm winds
Pentoga Road

Mom's home. Let Christmas begin!

I'm up early this morning so that the house will be warm by the time Mom and Sargie get up for the day. Sargie and I enjoy sleeping in a cool environment and this time of the year, the temperature in the house is often in the 50's when I first get out of bed. It doesn't take too long for the thermometer to be registering 70 or above once I turn up the thermostat and get the fire going.

We left Terre Haute a bit ahead of schedule Saturday morning, around 7 AM, Eastern time.

Thankfully, everything fit into the back of the car. For awhile, it was touch and go and I was fearful we might have to strap Mom to the roof, but in the end, we found room for everything, Mom included!



We made excellent time and traffic was light. I remembered all the reasons why I dislike much of the central Midwest. It's flat with few hills, trees, lakes, and rivers. In other words, it's boring.

The terrain reminds me of the North Slope of Alaska where all you can see for miles is... nothing.

When the most interesting landscape on the horizon is a wind farm, you know you're in for a long day of driving.



It was good to be back home. The trip was 550 miles and had lasted nine and a half hours, not bad considering we'd stopped several times to stretch our legs, get gas, and something to eat. 

A covered bridge in southern Wisconsin. 

It took a while for the house to warm. We sat Mom in the recliner by the wood stove and wrapped her in a heated throw and put a cup of hot tea in her hand. She said she was warm and comfortable and by evening's end, had removed the comforter saying she was too warm. 

To keep Mom toasty at night? There's an electric blanket on her bed and a hanging fireplace/space heater on the wall. As I told her, I don't want my mama going home telling her girl gang that she froze to death over Christmas.

I don't believe anyone had any trouble falling asleep last night. I certainly didn't.

This is Sargie's last day of vacation and she announced last night that she's going to wrap presents. No doubt we'll go for our ride later, picking up some fried chicken along the way for our Sunday meal. Since I was awake before 4 AM, I might have to lay back and take a grandpa nap at some point. 

There's a lot of stress in watching those Hallmark Channel Christmas movies.

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

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...