October 8, 2018 - Monday morning

45 degrees/rain/calm winds

Pentoga Road

One thing's certain, we won't have to worry about enjoying what's left of the beautiful colors if it doesn't quit raining. Seems if a copious amount of water isn't falling from the sky, it's cloudy, breezy, and cold. 

Carl the Weatherman says that we're stuck between a cold front to the north and hot weather to the south. I guess westerly storms are riding along the boundaries bringing us day after day of inclement weather. Too bad I can't ship some of this rain to my friend, Susan, who lives in sunny San Diego, California. 

Sunday was spent in the shop playing catch up. The first order of business was painting some sort of face on the pumpkin.

I'd paint a bit and while it was drying, wander over to the lathe. Dr. Katie, my PA, is stepping away from the medical field to be a stay at home mom until her sons are old enough to begin school. Katie and I have developed an almost professional daughter/father relationship over the years. She, her husband, Ryan, and their oldest son, Cody, have been to Pentoga Road previously to pick out a pumpkin, and we've maintained contact since.

She told me last week that she wants to be a real part of her sons' lives. I respect that. I respect that a lot. It shows the kind of parents she and Ryan are.

Katie's last day is this Friday. Hmm, what to make for a going away present? I started by debarking a piece of dry hard maple. 

I had a goblet in mind, but hadn't considered turning rings for the stem. I wondered why there couldn't be four of them, one for each member of their young family.

By the time the rings were outlined yesterday, I knew it was time to quit. I was getting tired, but more importantly, my mind was becoming lackadaisical and I was developing that "good 'nuff" attitude.

I've ruined enough pieces to realize that kind of demeanor means that it's quitting time. I hope to separate the rings from the stem and finish turning the goblet today.

Sargie was home early last evening and we feasted on grilled brat patties and chili, a perfect fall feast.

She closes again tonight, but has the next three days off. I'm told Hambone will be spending Wednesday with us. I'm hoping it doesn't rain so he can help me finish cleaning the garden. I'll use the tractor to haul the waste to Neighbor Mike's and will need a bucket boy to man the levers. 

In other munchkin family news, great nephew, Lincoln, got his first hair cut this past week. 

Talk about happy! I held Lincoln when he was just a few weeks old and he smiled the entire time. He hasn't changed a bit, even while getting his first hair cut.

Unless there's a dire emergency, teaching is not on this week's agenda. I'm surprised how relieved I am that I'm not going to substitute. I think last week's four days of teaching took a lot more out of me than I realized. 

I leave this coming Saturday for a week to visit all four sons and their families. Meanwhile, there's a list a mile long of things to do between now and then. As they say, there's no time like the present.

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

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...