The fishing was a bit slow, but the weather was picture perfect Wednesday afternoon.

May 29, 2019 - Wednesday evening

70 degrees/clear skies/calm winds

Pentoga Road

I'm writing tonight as tomorrow is my last day of subbing in Bobkittyland. I'll be the elementary librarian.

I know, I've said it before, but this time, I really really really mean it when I say that this will be the last sub job for the year. How do I know? It's simple. School's out for summer vacation beginning next week.

Today has been a mixed pot of activities. I began this morning with a wonderful five mile hike. The insoles in my boots and shoes are beginning to wear thin making my feet ache something horrible. I'm going to have to spend some money and get new ones.

Having almost destroyed my feet with years of daily hiking, I think they are the weakest link for undertaking a six month through hike. I've got to take care of those babies.

Back home, I cranked up the push mower for the first time this year and trimmed the entire yard. Sargie said she'd mow tomorrow using the rider if I would do the trimming. 

I worked in the shop and thankfully, avoided disaster. After sending a picture of the name to Melinda, I found that the last letter was supposed to be an N, not an M.

As I told her, someday I'll learn to read.

So, in a moment of inspiration, I carefully cut the M away and sawed a new N. A bit of sanding, some whittling, spitting, and cussing, along with a bit of glue and a clamp, and I think it will look like it's always been there.

I'll whittle and sand on it this weekend to make it fit with the rest of the letters and it should be good to go.

I looked outside this morning and noticed the wild ducks are making themselves at home. They waddled right under the hammock.

Through the back yard...

Right past Mom's car and down the drive. I have no idea where they were going, but I think it would be easier if they flew.

The goldfish seem to be surviving okay in their above ground pond. 

I'm having a terrible time keeping the algae from taking over. I'm hoping the fish will be swimming in the new pond, complete with a natural filter and plants, in another few weeks. I'm getting anxious to get it done and put the garden back together.

The afternoon was spent getting the patio furniture out of the storage container and bringing it up the deck and front porch. The most important piece, the basketball goal, was also set in place along the drive.



I hooked the boat to the Blazer late this afternoon and took off for the lake. As Dad would have said, it's was just a good day to be alive. He'd have enjoyed this afternoon's outing. 

I'm subbing on Thursday, have Hambone's concert tomorrow night, and will be driving two and a half hours south to meet Andrew for breakfast Friday morning. I'm hoping to continue work on the pond in earnest this weekend and right into next week.

It's time to get Sargie's supper ready. She'll be pulling in the drive in a bit and no doubt, will be hungry. The girl's put in a long day.

Time to get busy.

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

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...

From winter to spring, everything seems to suddenly be in bloom. 

May 29, 2019 - Wednesday

45 degrees/partly cloudy/calm winds

Pentoga Road

It's a goofy time of year. I just started the fire in the stove, yet today's high is to be 76 degrees. We're chilly in the morning then have the windows open and fans running just a few hours later. Ah, springtime in the North Country.

Yesterday was filled with accomplishing a lot of little tasks, nothing huge. The rain had finally stopped, but everything was, as Mom says, soppin' wet. Indeed, the entire world outside our home was soppin'.

Truth be known, we're about all sopped out.

I headed to shop where I did a lot of little stuff, mostly playing catch up on small jobs that I've been putting off. The carved name was pretty well finished, an extension cord repaired, tools were put away and the surface of the larger power tools vacuumed. 

Sargie and I took an afternoon drive, pretty much for naught. We found the flowers she wanted, but when I started to pay for them, discovered from an employee that the owner had left earlier and didn't leave a key for the debit card machine.

I'm getting crusty in my old age. In my younger days, I might have been more understanding, but after driving twenty miles in search of red impatiens and failing to have enough hard currency in my wallet to pay for them, we simply walked away. I muttered all the way home.

A walk through the yard later in the afternoon found me covered by hoards of mosquitoes. With remnants of Lake Pentoga remaining in the front meadow, I decided to spray the surrounding area.

Our friend, Melinda, had previously told us about a commercial concoction they use to rid their yard of mosquitoes. We tried it two years ago and it worked. No one glowed in the dark after and we were actually able to enjoy the outdoors.

Last year's mosquito crop was minimal, so I didn't spray, but like bad breath, they're back this year.

It took five tankfuls to cover the yard. Hopefully the mosquitoes will take the hint and stay away.

I received a series of pictures from my friend, Eileen, that made me laugh. I decided to share them as they are in sequential order.

Uncle Bert was mowing their lawn just outside of Bangor, Maine, when he hit a soft area and the riding mower became stuck.

Nice legs, Uncle Bert!

 The easiest solution was to hook onto the mower with the pickup and pull the machine to harder ground. Just one problem, the truck sank to its axles.

I'm told a charitable neighbor came to the rescue with his four-wheel drive Kabota and pulled both machines to dryer ground.

The story reminds me of my own experience well over forty years ago when I managed to get our car stuck in a field while going fishing. I walked to the neighbor's, who lent me his four wheel drive truck. That became stuck too. We both rode his tractor to the field and yep, that also sank to its axles.

Unlike Uncle Bert's experience, we decided leaving all three vehicles mired in the deep mud would be the wisest solution. It was almost a week before they were rescued. 

Sargie's going to a visitation this morning and then closes the Vision Center this evening. It will be late tonight before I see her. The librarian made a special request that I might sub for her tomorrow at the elementary school, so I guess I'll head in for one last time this year on Thursday. Hambone has a spring concert Thursday evening that is a must see event. 

My former student, Uncle Bert and Eileen's son, Dr. Andrew Cyr (I say that with a great deal of pride) is giving a lecture/workshop down by Wausau, Wisconsin, so I hope to leave in the wee hours of Friday morning to meet him for breakfast before he flies back to Fairbanks, Alaska. It's going to be a busy next few days. Then there's grass to mow and a hole to dig.

If only you had my life, you'd understand.

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

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...

I believe this name is headed to North Dakota

Aubrey, Brielle, Marley, Hambone
It may have been raining, but that didn't stop Uncle Ron from taking the Milligan Munchkins for a ride around Milligan Mountain.

May 28, 2019 - Tuesday

48 degrees/cloudy/soppin' wet

Pentoga Road

I'm disappointed in the pictures I took at the Mighty Milligan gathering yesterday. It was raining so hard, the conditions were less than perfect, and we were gathered close together. Oh well, no one allowed the inclement weather to deter them from having fun.

Excitement is growing over the upcoming birth of the newest member of the Milligan clan. Sasha and Alex's baby, a girl, is due in the next few days, but neither she or Alex will divulge what her name will be. I've been calling her Ethel Mae, but yesterday's top guess was Dixie Lee. 

Poor Sasha could do nothing other than sit, smile, and occasionally roll her eyes. No matter how horrible the improvised names became, she wouldn't crack. I guess we'll just have to wait until Ethel Mae is born to find out what she'll be called for the rest of her life. Other popular names from well meaning aunts and uncles included Bertha and Lindy Lou. I'm sticking with Ethel Mae.

Nancy and Ron are great hosts. Everyone brought food and no one let the driving rain interfere with a good time.

Little Lincoln was having a hard time keeping awake

Though caught unprepared, but always ready to please her fans, Nancy interrupted her conversation with Ross for an impromptu JC Penney model photo shoot.

The food was out of this world. Sasha's desserts were, by far, the family favorites. She made a pan of bars that were delicious and everyone raved about her patriotic pudding/cake combo. 

I'm not at all sure how Alex stays so fit. If I were married Sasha, I'd be bigger around than I am tall.

There was a bottle of Trump wine from which the President was toasted. It was fitting on a national holiday.

As with all good Milligan gatherings, the day flew by and it was soon time to head home. Goodbyes were said along with hugs and kisses. 

Last night was a quiet one. Sargie and I snuggled up on the couch and watched a couple of periods of the first game of the Stanley Cup finals. The Bruins beat St. Louis, 4-2.

I think the Blues left their offense in the Gateway City.

It's too wet today to do anything outdoors. Our rain gauge was tilted when I checked the amount, but I'd bet my next pension check that we received close to two inches, quite possibly more.

There's a project in the shop to finish. With a completion deadline of June 4th, I think I'll try to get it done today.

The fairy planter was finally finished and adorned with a four inch clay pot containing a simple violet.

Otherwise, I think Sargie and I will go in search for the rest of our bedding plants that are needed to complete this summer's flowers and garden goodies. I'm only putting a half dozen tomato plants and that many peppers in the ground. In fact, I'm not really pretending to have a garden this year. The pond is taking first priority. If we run low on a certain vegetable, I'll raid Jambo's garden.

It's time to shake, rattle, and roll... or failing that, turn on the heat in the shop.

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

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...

Smart Aleck. Luke's got a lot of nerve sending this picture.
I wish I could say I taught the boy everything he knows about fishing. The boy looks like he's ready to go on the Bass Master's Tournament Tour.

May 27, 2019 - Monday, Memorial Day

50 degrees/cloudy/breezy

Pentoga Road

Happy Memorial Day. I hope everyone takes a moment to remember those who have fought for our country, to ensure that we have the freedom to agree and disagree, and to live in the greatest nation in the world.

After Saturday's activities, Sunday was a more laid back day. Macrea and I took a three mile hike to the Brule River bridge and back.

We're both getting excited for our four day/forty-two mile hike along Lake Superior in a couple of weeks.

Macrea and I were walking and chatting when we heard a familiar voice at the top of a tall hill. Imagine the surprise when we saw Hambone running towards us with Grandma Sargie not far behind.

We had a pleasant morning and it wasn't long after that the boys left for a birthday party in Iron Mountain. After catching our breaths, Grandma and I headed out the door.

Sargie donned her gloves and finished planting this summer's geraniums.

I made my way to the garden and started digging.

This whole pond/garden/garden house project has become almost overwhelming. I'm not the type to panic, but between mechanical problems, rain, and some indecision on my part, I've become quite uneasy over the magnitude of the task that lies before me.

After more minor repairs on the backhoe, I began, then shut the machine down. Usually one to take the lead, I needed direction, some reassurance that what I was doing would be okay. 

There's a reason God puts people in our lives with a better vision than our own. I went to my go-to person, Sargie.

With tape measure and stakes in hand, we walked to the garden and in her usual calm demeanor, she helped me to see what the pond could look like if I dug it one way, then another, then pointed out a third possibility. She gave some options that honestly, I couldn't see because I've been too close to the work.

In the end, stakes were pounded and I began the task of filling in some areas that had been previously excavated and digging in new places.



I felt much better last night when I turned the backhoe off. As is often the case, it was Sargie to the rescue. 

And no, regardless what she may tell you, she's not the boss'a me!

Jambo and Germain stopped by for a visit last evening. 

It was good to visit and catch up on the news. Jambo's excited that he caught a decent crappie in fairly shallow water. The fishing season in this area is about to get real.

Sargie and I were early to bed last night. We were both tired after a busy weekend.

We'll be off to Foster City and Milligan Mountain later this morning for the annual Mighty Milligan Memorial Day Celebration. There'll be hugs, kisses, talking, laughing, and of course, food galore.

Naturally, after a near perfect weekend with the temperature in the 70's, today's forecast calls for rain with a high of 52. That's okay, inside or out, we make our own fun.

It's time to get this show on the road and get the day started.

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

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...

Isabella sent this picture saying, "I'm getting ready to take off, Uncle Tom!" Isabella will be staying with Grandma and Grandpa (Yooper Brother Mark and Sheri) for the next three to four weeks until Mommy is finished teaching for the year and flies in from Wyoming for a visit.

Macrea and Grady
We'd just walked a mile and a half to the lake

May 26, 2019 - Sunday morning

45 degrees/clear skies/calm winds

Pentoga Road

It's the early morning hours on Sunday. Hambone's still in the tent sound asleep, Macrea had to heed nature's call early this morning, so remained inside to call the living room couch his bed, Grandma Sargie's sound asleep upstairs, and Pawpaw... well, here I sit with nobody to talk to, so guess I'll start writing the blog.

I'm not much of a bird watcher, but I was thrilled to see a scarlet tanager early yesterday morning while on my walk. Sightings are extremely rare in the UP.

Saturday was a guy's guy-day. With Sargie off to work, Hambone, Macrea, and I, made the most of our man time by preparing for Macrea's and my forty-two mile hike on the Picture Rocks Trail beginning June 10th. This will be my fourth trek of the scenic trail. It's not difficult and very scenic.

The last time I went, four years ago, I did a solo hike with very poor eyesight. I was in denial and determined that I could complete the trail by myself.

It rained and stormed the entire time and and naturally, I managed to get somewhat lost. Keeping a cool (and wet) head, I was able to hear the breakers on Lake Superior which allowed me to walk in the right direction. After a couple of hours, I finally found the trail and successfully completed the hike.

With a hiking partner and much better eyesight, I'm eagerly looking forward to the upcoming trek.

Before anything could be accomplished Saturday morning, we had to be sure Hambone's belly had settled down. I once again came up with a deep thought and gave him a traveling pail, one to take with him on his escapades throughout the house.

The pail went unused, but Grady did proudly carry it wherever he went and as a reward, I told him he could take it home with him!

I'm not called Pawpaw for nuthin'!

Macrea and I carried out the large, heavy, tote that contains most of my hiking/camping equipment. Since Macrea was most interested in the hammock, I gave him lessons on how to hang it and more importantly, how to tie knots on each end so it wouldn't slip off the trees.



This particular model is entered from underneath.

When one enters backwards, he simply sits down and lies back. The velcro seals and the hammock will automatically close.

Are you in there, Daddy?

We erected all three of my tents, mostly because we could. Actually, the yellow tent in the foreground below is Josh's. It's a four season structure and the one I used extensively during my arctic years in Alaska. Built to withstand extreme winds and heavy snow, it's seen blizzards, temperatures as low as 52 below zero, and even a grizzly bear's nose pushed against the top... while I was inside.

I texted Josh yesterday and told him it was time his arctic tent is returned back to its rightful owner. I don't see myself doing a lot of winter camping in the future, especially while traveling on snowmobile through the wilds of far northern Alaska and the Brooks Mountain Range.

It wasn't long before the backyard looked like a holiday weekend campground.

Though Grady and I were staying in the large four-person tent, I put up my ultra light backpacking tent, the one I'll be using in June.



 It was made by LL Bean in Maine back before the company became a trendy fashion statement.  Twenty five years ago (and long before), their equipment and clothing were known for top quality and being  extremely rugged. Bean also had a famous lifetime warrantee on almost all their merchandise. Not so any more.  

I've tried out several more modern ultralight tents and though it weighs a pound more, I've not found any I like better than my old Bean structure.

We pawed through my assortment of backpacks, some I'd forgotten I even had.  

We found one that fit Macrea like an old glove, so the boy's all set for the upcoming hike.

Grandma Sargie arrived home mid evening and we started frying bluegill and crappie filets. Those, along with French fries, made a great supper.

The only thing better than a good old fashioned fish fry are s'mores for dessert. First, Pawpaw had to go outside and build a fire.

Then Hambone had to "melt" (as he says) marshmallows.

Finally, with Grandma Sargie's help, the melted marshmallows were combined with graham crackers and a piece of Hershey's chocolate bar to make the very best of desserts.

With full tummies, there were two boys who were having a hard time keeping their eyes open. I think old Pawpaw had worn them out. The evening was getting cold and the fire hypnotizing. In fact, it almost put the Bone and Daddy to sleep.

Grandma Sargie was putting new batteries in a lantern. I was unsure if she'd finish before the boys fell asleep while waiting in the kitchen. It had been a big day for the future hikers of America.

So we all made it through the night in good shape. The coyotes howled continually, accompanied by peeper frogs and owls. In fact, we discovered that it's much louder outside after dark than during the daylight hours.

The boys will be leaving later today for a birthday party. I hope to work on the pond at some point, but beyond that, who knows? We need to go to town and purchase buns for tomorrow's big Mighty Milligan Memorial Day Celebration and I have to put the finish on a project in the shop. Other than that, I'll play it by ear.

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

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...

The morning after