February 12, 2019 - Tuesday morning

16 degrees/snow/calm winds

Pentoga Road

Happy Birthday to my son, Matt. Though the schools are closed in the UP today due to the heavy snowfall and impending storm, we REALLY know they are shuttered to celebrate Matt's birthday. Happy birthday, son. Sargie and I love you!

The internet is so slow this morning, barely crawling along at a snail's pace. I can't really blame the provider, it's me. I'm too lazy to go outside, climb the ladder, and clean the snow from the dish. To do so would mean that I'd have to put on my heavies, the parka, gloves, and boots, wade through knee deep snow to the side of the house, climb the extension ladder, and begin brushing the accumulated snow.

I've begun leaving the ladder right where it is, against the side of the house. Today will be the third time in the past few days that I've climbed high into the heavens in the name of internet or television reception. With an additional nine to twelve inches forecast to fall, I imagine I'll be up and down that ladder more than once today.

Oh well, it's what we do in the UP for fun and games during these dark days of winter. 

I wonder what the poor folks down south are doing?

Yesterday's sub job at Florence Middle/High School was uneventful. Initially, I thought I'd be filling in for a the math teacher, then a high school English instructor, but in the end, I taught middle school English and geography.

The kiddies were good as gold. Absorbed in their computer-based learning, one could hear a pin drop during their classes. I kept myself occupied by reading a book and fielding an occasional question. 

Looking out a window in my classroom, I could see the elementary school in the distance. The football field occupies the area between the two school buildings.

I picked up Sargie after school and we made our way to town to get the Kia. Mechanic Dave did a wonderful job. 

Dave reminds me of my youngest son, Andy. I'm pretty certain each was born with a wrench in his hand.

I was going to sand the arch of the mother/child piece today, but looking at it closely, it's not a sloppy job of gluing that caused some of the wood to look discolored. It's simply the grain. 

I wondered how I could have been so sloppy and am glad it's the grain and not a bad glue job.

The window man was supposed to arrive today to take the final measurements for the living room and collect the deposit. Due to the bad weather, he rescheduled the appointment for Thursday.

Thankfully, Sargie's off today. At least she won't have to worry about navigating the very slippery roads to Iron Mountain.

It's time to don my heavies and head out the door. I'm going start a fire in the outdoor wood furnace first and let the shop warm up while I'm plowing. I want to remove the first several inches from the drive and Jambo's lane before it gets too deep. Supposedly, the heavy snow won't begin until later this morning when it will really pile up.

Then there's that long, tall, ladder to climb into the heavens so the television and internet satellite dishes can be brushed free of snow.

Worry not, if I see Baby Jesus while I'm way up there, I'll put in a good word for you.

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

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...