In Fourchon, Louisiana, Andy's pointing to where he's working and riding out the hurricane. Apparently the winds aren't bad, but the rain is very heavy. The storm is moving north and he said (a few minutes ago) it's just getting started.

July 14, 2019 - Sunday morning

45 degrees/clear skies/calm winds

Pentoga Road

Thankfully, Andy's safe and holding down the office by himself. A large generator is supplying electricity to the computers and air conditioning.  He has a cot so he's been able to get some rest while dispatching night and day, the entire weekend.

Jerad was out bright and early Saturday morning to cut down a couple of diseased maple trees that are close to the out buildings.

The man's a pro, but then that's what he did in his former life, cutting trees out of high tension power lines.

He first uses a long, very lightweight, pike pole to place a rope well up into the tree, draping it over the highest reachable branch, then grabbing a loop with the pole and pulling the rope down the other side.

Next comes fastening the rope to a tree in the desired direction and pulling the line taut using a come-along.

As Jerad cut and notched the tree, I worked the come-along and kept tension on the rope.

 With careful notching and cutting, both maple trees fell where they were supposed to. One got hung up in other trees a bit, but was in no danger of falling on a building.

We sat on the porch after, catching up on life, having a good Uncle Tom/Jerad talk. Jerad's like his dad, Yooper Brother Mark. He's active in the community, is a volunteer fireman, an Eagle Scout, and all 'round good guy. 

The rest of the day was spent working up wood.

I use the tines on the tractor's bucket to lift the trunk of the tree. Sure does save on the back and eliminates the possibility of hitting a rock, dulling the blade.

One entire tree was sawed by afternoon's end. 

A couple of loads were brought in to be split and put away.

It wasn't that long ago that I'd have had both trees cut up, hauled in, worked up, and firewood stacked, all in one day. 

Anymore, I find I'm much slower, but I'm steady. Remember, the tortoise won the race.

I spent some time covering the portable garage with a large tarp. I've read that the sun's UV rays will destroy the garage cover in a year or two. By using a tarp, I hope to extend its life by years.

I'll also do some interior modifications later this fall in preparation for the coming snow this winter.  

Sargie arrived home yesterday afternoon with a slumbering Hambone. I needed to purchase a roll of Gorilla tape to help fasten the tarp on the portable garage, so we made a quick trip to town.

You think Hambone's not going to grow into a big man?
Look at the size of those paws attached to his wrists.

Grandma Sargie had stopped earlier to get a pizza after work and also purchased a "kid's kit" so Grady could make his own.



I'm not sure who had more fun, Hambone the Chef, or Grandma Sargie, who was watching him.

The Bone also had a temporary tattoo sticker he wanted to make sure was in the picture. It's all about priorities.

Last night was a lazy one. We watched tv and played on the computer a bit. When I went to bed, Grady was sitting on Grandma Sargie's lap and both were watching Ghost Busters. 

Life is good.

Sargie's buddy and coworker, Michelle, sent this picture late Saturday afternoon. It seems during a lull in the action, the girls were trying on silly glasses. Note the tag still attached to the pair below.

I wonder if Sargie is a distant relation to the late Minnie Pearl?

I'm hoping to work up some firewood today with the help of Wood Boy. Whether or not any of that happens remains to be seen. With a high of 89 forecast, we'll no doubt end up at the lake in some manner, either kayaking, fishing, swimming, or quite possibly, all three. Loving the water, I'm pretty sure that Grady was a fish in his former life.

Hambone will head back home tonight, Grandma Sargie will open the Vision Center Monday morning, and Pawpaw, well, poor old Pawpaw will be left to his own devices, most likely putting up wood, with or without Wood Boy's help. It's the story of my life.

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

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...

Shhh, great minds are at work. No other comments needed.