A night at deer camp.
Jambo, Terry, George

I figured I'd better write tonight as I'll be out of here bright and early Thursday morning in the name of education. Tomorrow, I'll be Florence, Wisconsin's newest middle school language arts teacher, a subject I actually know something about.

I was just looking at the picture above. Boy, talk about change. I well remember when deer camp meant eating steak, fried potatoes, drinking copious amounts of beer, and trying to peer through a haze of cigarette smoke while playing penny poker around an old, castoff, kitchen table. 

We'd laugh, play cards, but mostly we'd party into the wee hours of the morning, all in the name of deer hunting.

It wasn't much fun to get up an hour or two later. Every day at deer camp I swore that night would be different, that I'd go to bed early and get a good night's sleep. It never happened. Thankfully, deer camp only came once a year. My body couldn't have taken any more than that.

Times have changed. It appears my generation has grown up.

Tonight we had a Greek delicacy followed by our choice of zucchini or molasses bread, coffee, and I enjoyed a can of my favorite ginger ale. I don't want to say my generation is getting old, but deer camp has sure changed over the past forty years.

The best part of tonight's deer camp? Pure friendship. We may not have partied into the wee hours of the morning, but we made some wonderful memories. 

Deer camp has never been better.

Today was a busy, but good, one. I began with the usual four and a half mile stroll. With the sun bright and a diminished wind, there were deer everywhere, including the large buck pictured below. 

I wonder if anyone's told him tomorrow's the opening day of deer season? Though it's difficult to see in the picture, the buck had a huge rack, one that any hunter would be happy to hang on his wall.

Once home, I started a fire in the wood furnace then took off for town. The auto parts store had the parts I needed, so they were dropped off at Mechanic Dave's on my way home. I received a text from him a short while ago saying the Kia is finished and ready to go. I know that will make Sargie happy as its gas mileage is double that of the Blazer.

The rest of the day was spent in the shop, mostly working on the Thanksgiving scroll saw piece and later, the pig.

I slowed everything way down and so far, have managed to side step any fatal errors.

It's amazing how many different type of blades are used on just one piece. Seems I'm continually switching one out for another, depending on the type of cut needed.

I grew tired of sawing, so it was onto the pig. The last middle piece was glued earlier. It was time to sand the interior, the part that will hold the money.

The oscillating sander is a perfect machine for inside sanding jobs. It works two ways by going round and up and down simultaneously. 

The last pig chore of the afternoon was to glue one of the two outer side pieces onto the the blank. I'll soon be ready to glue the rest then begin the actual carving.

Neighbor Mike called early this evening saying supper was ready. Since Sargie had to close and wouldn't be home until late, he didn't have to tell me twice.

We had a great meal. George, originally from Greece, a retired educator, and quite the chef, made Greek Lasagna. It was absolutely delicious.

George, being the thoughtful guy that he is, sent some home for Sargie as she really likes his cooking. She's in for a treat as soon as she walks through the door.

As mentioned previously, Sargie's off tomorrow, but I'll be teaching school. Though I'd much rather be at home with her, I am grateful for the work. Between the mechanic's costs, new tires, needing to order a tank of fuel oil, the trips to Milwaukee, and the upcoming holidays, the timing for substitute teaching is near perfect.

Sargie just called and is on her way home. It's time to warm up some of George's Greek culinary magic and fix her supper.

Wednesday night's sunset

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

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...

 Ivy's either making a snow angel or she's all done in after making a snowman.
It appears northern Maine has had a significant amount of snow already this fall.