October 22, 2018 - Monday morning
22 degrees/clear skies/calm winds
Pentoga Road

Well, darn it anyway. I can't find my camera. I know I had it in both the Boston and Detroit airports taking pictures and I snapped a few quick ones as I exited the plane yesterday morning in Iron Mountain. It has to be around here somewhere. 

Guess you've gathered by now that I made it home in good shape. In all the years of flying, I've seldom had as good of flights as those I enjoyed on this trip. Though the crowds were often large, the airline and TSA accommodated everyone and the journeys were pain free.

One thing is certain, after years of flying in and around and back and forth to Alaska, I don't miss flying a bit. As a former Gold Member and VIP frequent flyer of Alaska Airlines, I'm glad to relinquish my title to those younger, more energetic, travelers who seem to spend more time in the air than with their feet on the ground.

Matt and I were up well before 4 AM Sunday morning and on our way to Boston. The poor kid; he and Jessica had just hosted the herd of family members on Friday and Saturday, then Matt had to rise early to take me to the airport. Jess's folks were arriving later on Sunday for a visit and if that's not enough, Matt has to entertain a VIP from Japan for his firm this coming week. I don't envy him a bit.

Who was at the airport to greet me yesterday? Why, it was Hambone and his daddy! Along with Grandma Sargie, the three of them made the best welcoming committee a guy could ever hope for. Grady even insisted that he transport my rolling carry-on to the car. How's that for a big welcome home?!

There weren't many quiet moments while Sargie and I made our way to Pentoga Road. We gabbed and laughed and talked and laughed some more. As I told her, it felt as though half of me was missing this past week and it seems I was always saying or thinking, "I wish Sargie was here to see this."

The next time, she will be. I sure missed my Sargie.

After a quick tour around the yard and garden, I settled on the couch for the day. It was cold and windy and though I kept thinking of all the chores outside that needed to be done, I was content to soak up the heat from the wood stove, catch up on a few tv programs, and be with Sargie.  Bedtime came early and I quickly fell sound asleep while snuggling with my girl back in our own bed. I was truly home.

Whew... I don't even want to think about this coming week and what all needs to be done. Seems winter is roaring in with very little regard for fall, let alone Indian Summer. 

Today's first item on the agenda is to bring in the goldfish and empty out the garden pond. With nighttime temperatures well below freezing, it won't be long before the water is cold enough to freeze, causing the pumps to grind to a halt. It's time to bring in this summer's garden catch. I just hope those twenty fish will fit into one fifty gallon tote. If not... well, double the totes/double the work.

I hope to remove and replace the broken fire brick in the wood furnace today, which means a trip to town. I also need to pick up two pieces of metal roofing at the lumber yard and get those fastened on the lean-to. It's time to hook up some meaningful heat to the shop.

The yard is knee deep (literally) in some places with maple leaves that need to be blown into the woods. Pumpkins have to be delivered to Iron Mountain sometime this week, others thrown away in Mike's field. The Blazer isn't starting very well and an appointment needs to be made with Mechanic Dave for a tune up. I substitute teach on Wednesday in Florence and have to be in Green Bay bright and early Thursday morning for an appointment.

Lord, will it never end?

So, with that, I think I'll get this day started. The days ahead aren't any better for Sargie. With people on vacation, her only day off this week is Thursday when she goes to Green Bay with me. 

Oh well, my vacation from retirement is over and it's time to get moving.

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

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...