The abominable snowman? No, it's just Hambone who came to visit for the weekend.

February 4, 2018 - Sunday

-2 degrees/sunny/calm winds

Pentoga Road

First I want to wish Happy Birthday to my grandson, Bennet. I hear the culmination of today's celebration will find Bennet, his big sister, Emerson, Mommy and Daddy, and some friends at Chuck E Cheese eating pizza and having fun.

Happy birthday little buddy. Grandma Sargie and Grandpa love you!

Santa Claus, in the form of Yooper Brother Mark, pulled in the drive yesterday morning with a load of 4x4 hickory he'd brought back from his plant in Kentucky.

I can hardly wait for the wood to dry so I can get it on the lathe.

There're a lot of projects in those hickory 4x4's, but I'll wait until the end of next summer before I  begin to think about turning any of it. Right now, it's very green and extremely heavy.

We were making plans to go grocery shopping when Macrea called and asked if we wanted a visitor for the weekend. Of course, we said we did.

First, we needed to drive to town. Eggs were on sale for 50 cents a dozen. 

Despite the driving snow, we took advantage of a one day sale in Iron River, then drove fifteen miles to Crystal Falls to take advantage of another.

The timing was perfect. We met Grady and his parents about ten miles away. With the snow falling harder than ever, the Hambone exchange was made quickly so everyone could get home before the roads got worse.

So, what does a three-year-old boy and his grandpa do during a snowstorm? They go out and play of course! 

Grady informed me that he was a big boy and no longer needed help putting on his snow pants. In the end, the straps became tangled and it was Grandma Sargie to the rescue.

The snow was piling up in the drive and there were piles and piles of snow in which to make forts or to slide down.

I've been using the plow this season to clear the drive. Since the snow was light and fluffy with little wind, I decided to use the snow blower. 

I soon became frustrated. The machine ran well for a few minutes then would suddenly die with that scenario being played over two or three times. Finally, it was wheeled to the barn where the fuel line was removed from the tank. I discovered the breather had fallen out of the gas cap and a vacuum was being created. The fuel couldn't flow. It was like trying to pour pop from a bottle all at once. A teeny hole drilled in the top of the gas cap immediately solved the problem and we were back in business.

Notice, I said WE. 

I heard a munchkin voice coming from down below saying, "I'd like to do dat. Can I do dat? I can do dat."

And dat he did.

The Vice President in charge of Snow Blowing Operations quickly stepped in to give Pawpaw a hand and it wasn't long before the drive was free of snow.

I hope he remembers how much fun it can be ten years from now when Pawpaw might not be quite so limber and wouldn't mind if someone else volunteered to clear the snow from his drive. 

Meanwhile, Grandma Sargie was busy inside the house preparing ribs for today's dinner.

We're going to eat like royalty this afternoon when Mel and Macrea arrive.

Last night was spent watching munchkin tv. Actually, I ignored the television and finished the seed order for next summer's garden. 

Hambone is still asleep. I think Pawpaw plumb tuckered him out yesterday. Grandma Sargie's up and in the shower. 

Me? There's still one more flower to make before the white birch vase is finished. I think I'll do that before the two-legged tornado comes flying down the stairs ready for action.

We need to clean our drive once again and Neighbor Mike's, then there are those snowbanks to conquer and slide down. So much to do, so little of Hambone and Pawpaw.

After all, a man's work (and that of his assistant) is never done.

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...

Hambone loves to play Hide and Go Seek. You never know where he's going to pop up.