It was arts and crafts time in the dining room Sunday night

November 4, 2019 - Monday morning

33 degrees/cloudy/calm winds

Pentoga Road

It must be the length of days. For whatever reason, I'm getting to where I can sleep a bit longer as the days grow shorter. 

I like that. I like that a lot. It can get lonely at 4 AM when it's dark and there's no one to play with. I've tried engaging Sargie in early morning conversation, but she's no fun. The girl seems to think she ought to be sleeping rather than socializing. Occasionally, Mark is up that early and we text back and forth. Garry's often awake in the wee hours, but opts to remain in bed. 

Oh well, I'll enjoy the extra hours of sleep while I can get them.

I had the opportunity to sub today in third grade, but turned down the offer. The extra income is always welcome, but it's time to slow 'er down just a bit. There's a reason why I check a certain box on forms, you know, the one that wants to know my occupation. 

I mark RETIRED. 

Sometimes I need to remember that. Lifetime habits can be hard to break.

Speaking of retired, Sunday was a somewhat lazy day on Pentoga Road. I worked in the shop for most the morning.

Making puzzles for the little ones' Christmas presents is an easy and fun thing to do. All that is required are large cuts and since it's an interlocking puzzle, there are no mistakes. Any old cut will do.

That bunny has a head and ears. They blend in with the table.

I turned my attention to a more serious work, that of cutting out a butterfly piece for one of my granddaughters.

A two-piece wall hanging, all was going well until I pushed a bit too hard while sanding.

My life story. All that work and I end up with kindling for the wood stove.

Thankfully, thanks to the magic of CA glue and lots of patience, there should be a happy ending to this story.

I needed a couple of things from Home Depot, so Sargie and I made a quick trip to Iron Mountain. 

Back home, we watched the Packers play one of the most pathetic games I've seen since they were perennial basement dwellers in the 70's and 80's. I finally shut the tv off and walked away. There's enough pain in life without watching Green Bay make one mistake after another.

I was preparing to paint puzzles last night when Sargie asked what she could do to help. 

Oh, how I love to hear those words. I enjoy sawing and turning in the shop, but painting puzzles is one of my least favorite tasks. 

We sat side by side for a good part of the evening, talking, and working on various pieces.

I started the fire in the outdoor furnace this morning for the first time this year. 

Sargie is very good at what I enjoy doing, working in the shop, so I thought if I warmed it to house temperature, maybe she'd like a lesson on the scroll saw. Sargie's much more artistic and talented than I am (her suggestions have been behind many of the pieces I've done) and since we like to do things together, maybe it's time to expand her talents.

Let's see, on this week's agenda:

Dr. Katie, her two little ones, and I are getting together Tuesday for some social time. We figured since Ryan and Sargie work together at the eye clinic, we ought to have some us-time as well. Katie's about the closest person I have to a daughter, so I'll enjoy the time gabbing, playing with the boys, and catching up.

I'll, once again, be the kindergarten cop this coming Friday and next Monday as I fill in for Dan the Dean. 

Time to get out to the shop and get busy. These Christmas gifts aren't going to make themselves you know.

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

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...