Sandhill Cranes

May 15, 2018 - Tuesday evening

57 degrees/clear skies/calm winds

Pentoga Road

Today was maintenance day on Pentoga Road. Since I've opted to wait to resume in the garden until the new tiller arrives on Thursday, I'm getting caught up on other springtime chores.

This morning began shortly after sunrise by taking the boat off the trailer and getting it ready to remove the floor and clean the inside.

I had just started when it was time to eat breakfast then ride with Sargie a few miles down the road on her way to work and walk back home.

The wildlife was enjoying the near perfect day as much as I was. I saw multiple flocks of turkeys, sandhill cranes, and several deer.

A robin's egg fell out of a tree just as I was walking by

The trilliums are beginning to bloom

Once home, I turned my attention to the wood shed. The back had pushed out this past winter and at one point, I was afraid most of the firewood would spill out into the snow.

It was well into the afternoon before I finished with the repair and cleaned up around the area.

 Pieces of wood and over a foot of leaves were removed. 

Sargie taught me the best way to remove a pile of leaves is to rake them onto a large tarp then drag it off into the woods.

The sheds can now be filled and the area around them is ready for mowing.



After a quick lunch, I was back outside working on the boat.

The first item on the agenda was to remove the old rotten floor. Flimsy and dirty, it was taken in pieces to the burn pile.

The battery was charged, sonar connected, and all the fishing tackle cleaned and put on board.

The boat is ready for Sargie's and my first fishing expedition of the spring this coming Thursday.

I had the bright idea of permanently attaching the mower deck to the old Cub and using it to mow the rough areas and the trails. I figured it was better to abuse the old mower than risk any damage to the new one.

At one point, I used a chain to secure the deck along with several pieces of wire.

That's a piece of Brutus's old chain holding the deck in place.

During the initial test mow, the belt slipped off. At first I was going to head back to the shop and thread it back on, but then I remembered that's why I bought a new mower. I grew tired last year of stopping every few minutes to make repairs while mowing.

It was pure bliss to mow the front pasture with the new tractor on cruise control. I mentally shifted my mind into neutral, settled back, and enjoyed the ride.

I'll finish the yard and trails over the next few days. Not everything needs mowing yet.

Sargie arrived home not long ago and we've had a quiet evening. She works from ten until closing tomorrow, another long day for my girl.

I have someone who's supposed to come out tomorrow morning and possibly purchase the wood chipper. Since it's seldom used any more, I've decided to sell it.

Other than that, there's mowing to do, wood to bring from one pile and put in the sheds, and maybe, just possibly, I might find time to get creative in the shop. The thought has entered my mind.

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

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...

The front meadow is a yard this year, not a lake like last.