October 25, 2019 - Friday morning
30 degrees/clear skies/calm winds
Pentoga Road

I think I'm losing it. A chirpy, low-battery, smoke alarm sounded shortly after four this morning. Rising from bed, I stumbled down the stairs, found the culprit, changed the battery, then attempted to go back to sleep.

We all know how that went. I was dressed a few minutes later and found myself standing in front of the sink looking for my toothbrush. 

It had vanished. 

The counter was searched, as well as the medicine cabinet, the waste basket and my travel case. I even went back upstairs and asked a sleepy Sargie is she knew where my toothbrush was.

A new one was finally freed from its packaging, but it's bothering me. WHERE DID MY TOOTHBRUSH GO?

Gremlins? A rambling Inupiaq Eskimo Umlumpkin? A leprechaun? Hmm, possibly Bigfoot?

I hope I'm not losing the few marbles that are left between my ears. My brain quit making gray matter a long time ago.

Meanwhile, the case of the missing toothbrush remains unsolved. 

Thursday morning started with a beautiful five mile walk. I came across a large field adorned with thousands of milkweed plants.

For the first time in many years, we're seeing a large number of monarch butterflies each summer. I can understand why. Their favorite plant, the simple milkweed, seems to be in abundance in this area.




Back home, I worked up another batch of Wolf River apples to dehydrate while the shop was warming.



The rest of the morning was spent painting the Hutterite girl and boy. Other than some fine details and touch up, they should be ready to assemble.

It's most difficult to find the exact color. Generally two, sometimes three or four colors are mixed, until I get what is needed.



Thankfully, acrylics are very forgiving and mix easily. For sure, I have no idea what I'm doing. All I know for sure is that I enjoy doing it.

I wish I'd have paid more attention in Mr. Helmer's art class while in junior high fifty five years ago.

The rest of the day was spent substitute teaching art in Florence. It was no problem and I enjoyed my time with the munchkins.

Sargie said she had a good day at the eye clinic. After a quick run to town, we returned home for a quiet evening.

I'm heading out to the shop fairly soon. There are a few errands to run later this morning then I hope to drop a tree or two today. The structure around the outdoor wood furnace also needs to be finished. With a high of fifty degrees forecast and ample sunshine, I have the feeling it's going to be a good day to simply be alive.

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

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...