This is for Hambone and the other mini Milligan cousins:
Other than obvious good looks, these three guys have something in common. Can you guess what it is?
Me, Derek, Regan

July 5, 2019 - Friday morning

68 degrees/cloudy/breezy

Pentoga Road

We had a lot of fun posing for that picture. Derek's a detective with the Dickinson County Sheriff's Department, Regan has taught third grade for many years and now moving up to high school math, and me, well, I write a blog and dig holes in my garden.

Oh, the answer to the opening question: we're all having something to drink. C'mon, where are your observation skills? 

Thursday was the morning of the chicken. I spent no small amount of time in the kitchen, cutting chicken quarters and later, parboiling all in a mixture of water, salt, pepper, and onions from the garden. 

Since all but a couple of pieces from the original ten pounds disappeared, I'm going to assume that once Derek performed his grilling magic, they were edible.

Speaking of Derek, the boy was kept busy throughout the afternoon grilling brats, burgers, hotdogs, and chicken, over two beds of charcoal. 

Both he and Leah are great hosts and kept busy making sure everyone had plenty to eat and drink. Thanks, kids, everyone had a wonderful time.

One of the stars of the gathering was Aria. Just a few weeks old, Sasha and Alex didn't mind sharing her at all.

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to guess who made a beeline for little Aria.

"... ah, that feels so good. Just keep rubbing my back, Auntie Sargie. Yeah, that's it...."

As with most Mighty Milligan gatherings, pictures can best describe the day:

Hambone hopped in the pool upon their arrival. He, along with several of his cousins swam nonstop all day and well into the evening.

Let's see, goggles, a racket of some type, two noodles, and a nearby squirt gun. I wonder which cousin he's doing battle with?

Ross and Debbie are, no doubt, checking their social calendars.

The skies opened later in the afternoon for about three minutes. Some ran, others simply stayed outside in the rain and enjoyed cooling off. Most were already damp from either swimming or sweating while sitting in the heat.


Inside the house:

Suddenly, there are third generation Milligan descendants popping up all over the place. Lincoln and Patrick kept us entertained throughout the day.

Lincoln will be getting a baby brother in October, another addition to the Milligan family. 

We also enjoyed Braelyn. She's quite the entertainer and can only be described as a love bug.

Everyone knows that being a love bug requires an afternoon nap

We gathered inside later in the day to celebrate brother-in-law, Teddy's, 70th birthday.

It's fun to watch Teddy with his grandsons. He sits back, observes, and smiles great big grandpa smiles.

The gathering began to break up early in the evening. With hugs, kisses, and many "I love you's," we all made our way home.

Driving was a bit dicey between Iron Mountain and Pentoga Road. Looking at the sky ahead, I began thinking of the verse from Psalms 23:4... I think. (It's been a year or fifty since I last attended Sunday School).

"Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death..."

We drove through torrential downpours. Unfortunately, only a very disappointing .3 of an inch fell at home.



I'm going to get this uploaded then strap on my hikers and take a stroll to Pentoga Village and back. With all the eating I've been doing for the past month, Father's Day, our anniversary, my birthday, our visit to Mom's, and yesterday's foodfest, my belly is insisting on taking the lead everywhere I go. With another long distance fall hike planned, I need to keep the legs strong and the belly in check.

Otherwise, if it's dry enough, I'm going to begin filling in the ramp leading to the bottom of the pond. Measuring ten or more feet at the bottom, it's deep enough. Time to get that project done.

A true Fourth of July meal
Baked beans, sweet corn, potato salad, chicken, and a cheeseburger.

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

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...

A bit of rain doesn't stop sister-in-law, Debbie, from having holiday fun.