Turn Sargie loose with a shovel and there's no stopping her!

October 10, 2019 - Thursday morning

41 degrees/clear skies/calm winds

Pentoga Road

First, great news about Mom. She was moved from ICU to the Heart Unit to continue her recovery and begin therapy. We talked with her for quite a while last night and I'm happy to say that Mom sounded like the "old Mom," not in age, but in energy and enthusiasm.

You go Mama!!

I'm not sure we could have fit any more into one day than Sargie and I did on Wednesday. With a less than stellar weather forecast, we're racing against the clock. 

Early Wednesday morning began by sipping some of Jambo's super duper camp coffee while we played catch up from the past six weeks. I've missed my buddy and was happy to hear of what he's been up to while I've was playing kindergarten cop.

I was back home shortly after sunrise and stacking the insulation Yooper Brother Mark had given me. Following Jambo's advice, I've decided it will go on the outside of the garden house under the permanent siding. 

After backing the trailer into place, I began working up the latest load of firewood.

I definitely have more energy in the early morning hours and fueled by Jambo's coffee, was able to hoist the big, heavy, pieces, onto the splitter.

The trailer was unloaded and swept clean by mid morning, a new record for me. I think I have enough wood to get through the winter with some extra for emergencies. Still, I'd like to get just one more load and rest easy knowing we're in good shape.

This is in addition to both sheds being full, plus the hardwood in the portable garage and more in the red shed.

I'll cover the pile using a tarp later today to protect the wood from the upcoming rain and snow.

With the wood finished, Sargie grabbed me by one ear, saying it was time to put away the patio furniture, the basketball standard, and all her yard pretties.

Storing away summer goodies ranks right up there with taking down Christmas decorations. I've had root canals that were more fun.

Other than the seven large spike plants that will be carried downstairs, all the summer accessories are stored away for the winter months.

You KNOW bad weather is imminent when the mice try coming in. We saw at least three yesterday, all begging for shelter. 

I've put block bait out around all the outbuildings and house and we're finding dead mice everywhere. As the technician from a pest control company told me years ago, better to control them outside than in the house. We've not had a mouse problem inside since.

It was time to get gravel for around the pond, so we hooked the trailer to the Blazer and drove to, as Hambone calls it, the Sand and Gravel Store.

I had a good conversation, again, playing catch-up with Jambo's sister in law, Becky, who can only be described as a sweetheart. As the office manager, scheduler, payroll person, coffee maker, and all-round good gal, Becky knows more about sand, gravel, and concrete, than anyone I've ever met.

Sargie spent some time checking out the various types of gravel to ensure we got just the right kind.



We ended up getting over a ton of "crushed fines," a type of mix that packs down to almost the consistency of concrete, yet can be shoveled later to make room for pavers.



After bringing the trailer back to the house, we continued onto Iron River for Sargie's Coke. The leaves in some places are almost breathtaking. Too bad most will be gone with the next heavy rain and wind.

 Our own sugar maples are beginning to get bare, but are still displaying some gorgeous fall colors.

Arriving back home, we thought we might lay down one row of landscape cloth and cover it with gravel... just to see what it would look like. After emptying, splitting, and storing a trailer's worth of firewood and helping to put away the summer lawn goodies, I was tired.

Seems that one row lead to another and though I told Sargie we could stop whenever she wanted, the girl kept saying, "We can do just a little more."

One hour turned into two and two turned into three and before we knew it, the trailer was empty. We'd shoveled over 2,300 lbs of gravel.

 Jambo had borrowed the mower and after returning it, grabbed a shovel and between the three of us, finished this side of the pond.

Our plans are to eventually add pavers, flower planters, water falls, park benches, a flag pole, etc. etc., but for now, gravel will suffice just fine. Anything is better than wading through mud during next spring's thaw and heavy rains.

There were two tired kids who climbed the stairs to the bedroom last night. In fact, I barely remember my head hitting the pillow. 

Sargie is back working at the eye clinic in Crystal Falls today. I'll be sipping coffee with Jambo first thing then towing the trailer to town for another load of gravel. Heavy rain, mixed with snow, is forecast to begin tonight and I want to lay as much gravel as possible today.

How's the saying go? "A day late and a dollar short?" 

That's me.

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

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...

Give Jambo a big ol' mower and he's a wild man out of control.