Sometimes the biggest joys come in the smallest packages.
Meag, meet Jimmy.

October 27, 2018 - Saturday

41 degrees/cloudy/calm winds

Pentoga Road

I'm up early this morning trying to get the usual done before the day officially begins. Meag and Ben are parked in the front meadow and I assume they're still fast asleep. The fire's going in the wood stove, the coffee's hot, and I'm enjoying a donut from a bag the kids gave us. 

Sigh...

Life is good.

Friday began with a whirl of activity. I was out the door as soon as Sargie left for work, hooking the lawn sweeper onto the mower and racing back and forth over the front and back yards.

I'm not certain how many loads of leaves were collected, but it seemed I spent more time dumping than I did collecting. Leaves were over a foot deep in some places.

With the lawn fairly clean, I mowed for the last time this season. If the grass grows any more between now and next April, well, tough. It'll just have to grow. I'm ready to move on.

Meag and Ben arrived mid morning in their blue bus. I've written about what they do previously, but their story and mission can be read here:

thewilddrive.com

These young people are two breaths of fresh air and unlike so many of their generation, expect nothing unless they work and earn it. 

I like their philosophy of life and attitude. I like it a lot.

The completely transformed prison bus they call home is as much a work of art as a beautiful and convenient mode of transportation.

Ben's the co-designer, builder, and mechanic, and claims that if he's able to do a large conversion, anyone can. I'd trade my skills (or lack of them) for his any old day. Ben's also a very talented writer and his compositions on their blog are not only interesting, but easy to read.

Meag is a writer and advertising/web page designer and can work from anywhere in the world. If you've ever seen any of the vacation literature from some of the more touristy towns in coastal Maine, Old Orchard Beach for one, chances are Meag's had her hand in it. Seems her real desire is to write and cook. I can personally attest that she does both very well.

After an afternoon of relaxing by the wood stove, their pup, Moose, just doesn't want to get back on the bus.

 We spent most of Friday playing catch up on each other's lives, talked of the old days in northern Maine, and what the future may hold for these two.

There's been mention of a reality show and yesterday, they were contacted for the possibility of being guests on a national talk show. The world seems to be at their fingertips, yet, they also dream of a more normal life, a permanent home, children, and most of all, how they can help others.

Sargie was home by early evening and between the four of us, fish were fried, salad was tossed, and potato pancakes made.



Meag seems to have the ability to whip up any dish one's heart might desire and when I mentioned how good Neighbor Mike's potato pancakes are, she said, "Oh, we can do that," and whip she did.

Meag put Ben to work grating northern Maine spuds while Meag began mixing and concocting the ingredients. In the end, her potato pancakes were to die for good.



I'm thinking of having a potato pancake cook off between Jambo and Meag. Oh forget it. Meag would win. She's a lot prettier than Neighbor Mike.

The four of us sat around the table last night talking and later moved into the living room. It was well past everyone's bedtime before we called an end to the day. There are some conversations and good times that a person just doesn't want to end.

Earlier, Ben had moved the bus to the front pasture so they could enjoy some real peace and quiet. 



Evidently, it worked. I haven't heard a peep out of either this morning.

Sargie closes the Vision Center today. I need to run to town and get parts for the Blazer so Mechanic Dave can begin to make the old SUV winter ready. 

If it's not raining, Meag, Ben, and I, will take a hike down to Pentoga and the bridge across the mighty Brule River later this morning. Possibly we'll drive over to the old Mansfield Church this afternoon and do a bit of sight seeing in that direction.

Sargie and I will leave Sunday around noon for an Monday morning appointment in Milwaukee. We decided it will be easier to take our time going, get a room in a nearby hotel, and be rested, rather than get up in the middle of the night for the five hour journey, then drive back home later in the day.

Speaking of days, it's time to get this one started.   

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

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...