Planting water grass on the shallow filter

August 8, 2019 - Thursday evening

62 degrees/clear skies/breezy

Pentoga Road

I know something that you don't know, well, most of you. 

Sargie was offered a position as an optician by Dr. Katie's husband, Ryan, at a satellite eye clinic in Crystal Falls. The hours are fantastic, 8:30 to 4:30 and the days are even better, Tuesday and Thursday. 

Sargie was supposed to cut down to part time at the Vision Center last winter, but with the exception of a few weeks, she's worked as many and sometimes more hours and days than when she was a full time employee.

So, after much thought and deliberation, a positive interview, followed by more thought and conversation, Sargie has accepted the position. She gave her two week notice last week and her last day at the Vision Center is the 15th. 

We're looking forward to spending much more time together. Four day weekends mean we'll get to do some limited travel, be able to see Mom more, and participate in more activities with our friends and families. A huge plus is that Sargie won't be driving home at 9:30 at night after closing, alone on rural roads, fighting a raging snowstorm. It also means I won't be sick with worry until she walks in the door.

But the best part; the new job means that my best friend and I will be together more than just in passing. 

Congratulations honey. I'm so proud of you. 

Life's about change and moving forward. This is one change that we're both eagerly anticipating.

Thursday was an active one. I began the day weeding the orchard.

I can't stand a weedy garden or orchard and it's bothered me this summer that I haven't kept up with the daily maintenance as I worked on the pond. 

Truth be known, I enjoy pulling weeds.  

Looking across the pond at the garden

After working all morning, the orchard looks much better.

Sargie had Thursday off from the Vision Center, but spent part of the morning at the clinic in Crystal Falls. Once home, my bride headed to her favorite part of the garden, the pea patch.

My bride enjoys eating snap peas straight from the vine. She's in luck. They are extremely plentiful, sweet, and tender, this year.

We left home shortly after lunchtime pulling the trailer to Iron Mountain to purchase the needed lumber with which to build the base of the garden house.

After spending somewhere just south of the national debt, we stopped by a remote lake on the way home. It was a beautiful day and we enjoyed a small hike and taking in the scenery.

There were some beautiful lily pads that would look good in the new pond. Unfortunately, all were well out of reach.

Back home, Sargie and I were unable to lift the treated 6x6's. Twelve feet in length and wet with preservatives, each weighed in the hundreds of pounds. With Sargie's help, I used the tractor to lift each timber from the trailer.

I'll be able to unload the rest of the lumber and treated plywood tomorrow by myself.



The late afternoon was spent planting the first of the greenery in the pond. 

Look at that crystal clear water. The filters are already doing an amazing job.

With its roots anchored in the gravel filters, the water grass should grow well feeding on the nutrients trapped in the gravel.

This evening was spent watching the first Green Bay Packers preseason game. 

For the most part, the boys looked just okay. They have a long way to go before the real season begins, but that's what these early practice games are for. Almost half of tonight's players will be cut in the next three weeks until the roster gets to 53 players. Currently, there are 90.

Sargie opens the Vision Center Friday morning. I'm going to head to the other side of the pond with hammer in hand and begin building the base of the garden house. 

Once that's complete, the walls that were constructed last March can be added. After that, it will be the roof.

Things, they are a movin'.

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

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...

The pond should be completely full sometime on Friday. After that, the excess rubber liner will be trimmed and the landscaping will begin. It appears that for now, we'll use crushed gravel around the edges with pavers to be added next summer.