The early Friday morning drive into northern Wisconsin was, in itself, pure beauty.

January 19, 2019 - Saturday morning

2 degrees/partly cloudy skies/calm winds

Pentoga Road

There are several advantages to working part time during one's retirement. Other than a bit of extra pocket money, the biggest is being able to truly appreciate the weekends. I forgot how really good a Saturday morning feels knowing I can call the time my own for the next two days.

I used to laugh at Dad when, during his retirement, he'd say, "Craziest thing, Charlie. When a guy's retired, he looses track of the days. Every day's a weekend!"

Dad was certainly right, after subbing four out of the past five days, I'm appreciating this weekend. The time belongs to no one but Sargie and me.

I walked into Florence Elementary School on Thursday thinking I'd be back in the first grade room, but discovered that due to the flu bug and lack of substitutes, I'd be a fourth grade teacher.

Hey, no problem. A couple of boys and I had a bit of a Come to Jesus talk, but that lasted only long enough for them to understand there was a new sheriff in town and that no prisoners would be taken. After, they and the rest of their class, were good as gold. In fact, both young men became two of my biggest helpers and allies as the day marched on.


Friday saw me walking back into the first grade room. It made me feel particularly good when the Junior Bob Kitties clapped and wrapped their arms around one leg or the other. 



We worked hard all day, but we also sang. We boogaloo'd, clapped, danced, and of course, we did math, science, English, spelling, and all those other subjects that enable mini munchkins to grow up and become smart adult Bobcats.



Recess time? No problem. Though the temperature was striking a big fat zero, it was time to let the thundering herd of little ones expend some energy. 

Suddenly, the hallway was filled with snowsuits, mittens, caps, and boots. It wasn't long before they were running out the door, screaming and yelling.

Like children everywhere, they love their swings and monkey bars. 

Back inside, we worked on some math problems presented as games on iPads. Each student is assigned a tablet to call his own during class time.

The face of education has sure changed over the past few years. Though paper and pencils are still an integral part of the learning process, the digital medium is steadily taking over. 

The day was done! I'd survived a week that saw me teaching high school math, fourth, and first grades. It was time to trade in my teaching persona for that of a grandpa who lives on Pentoga Road.

Hmm, I knew Sargie would be cold and hungry when she walked in the door from work. Why not make a big ol' pot of homemade vegetable/beef stew?



Ingredients included every type of vegetable from last summer's garden, plus, I made and floated dumplings on top.

Naturally, we ate like the piggies we know how to be last night. Life was not only good, it was the best!

Sargie closes the Vision Center tonight. I'm going to end now and get her lunch packed and breakfast made. I have absolutely no plans for today other than start a fire in the outside wood furnace and play in the shop. I can almost guarantee you that an afternoon nap will be on the agenda. Why else would I have that big overstuffed recliner out there?

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

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...

Zero degrees? That may be cold for the average munchkin, but when one's a Bob Kitty, that means it's time to build a good old-fashioned snow fort.