Look what I came across Friday morning on my way to work!

November 8, 2019 - Friday evening

22 degrees/cloudy/breezy

Pentoga Road

The thermometer was registering 3 above zero this morning when I left for school. Even though I was running a bit late, I had to stop by our local lake to check on ice conditions.

There was a thin layer across most of the lake. A few more cold nights will see ice several inches thick, enough for safe fishing.

I was ice fishing by the second week of November in 2013. I don't believe the ice will be thick enough by next week, but I would be surprised if we're not fishing by Thanksgiving.

I came across the mama bear and her three cubs about five miles from home.



I don't know why they weren't hibernating. Mama was so groggy that she weaved down the center line for almost ten minutes. It's the longest I've ever spent in the company of a bear, especially on a road. They generally sprint across a road and magically disappear in a matter of seconds.

I hope the family has a den picked out and ready for occupancy. Certainly, they are ready to begin their long winter's sleep.



My day as principal was a busy one. Seems a few of the bobkitties weren't staying between the lines and warranted a visit to the dean's office. 

The elementary school students walked to the high school this morning for a Veteran's Day program. I was impressed as all the grades were very respectful and listened carefully to the various short speeches.



I was driving home Friday afternoon when a large doe ran in front of me. I slammed on my brakes and was just congratulating myself for missing the the galloping beast when another, previously unseen, ran into the back driver's side of the car. I looked in the rearview mirror just in time to see it rolling, then getting up and limping to the side of the highway.

The back tire went flat soon after.

The story does have a happy ending... well, sort of. The deer must have slipped before the collision and only hit the wheel, demolishing the hub cap and severing the valve stem. The rest of our beautiful deer magnet, the Kia, went unblemished. The tire was fixed with a quick trip to town last night and a ten dollar bill. I ordered a new plastic hubcap online to replace the old one. Good as new! 

Well, good as new for a car that has almost 300,000 miles showing on the odometer.

Sargie and I were trying to remember how many deer the Kia has thinned from the UP herd over the years. It's either five or six, enough to fill the freezer several times over.

I told Yooper Brother Mark last night that if he wanted to borrow the Kia for opening day of hunting season next week, to feel free. It seems to have an almost flawless success rate for attracting deer.



Speaking of Mark and Sheri, we met them for a wonderful supper Friday night and spent no small amount of time catching up on life.

We are heading to Green Bay early Saturday morning for a day of shopping. Sam's Club has several specials that Sargie wants to take advantage of. We plan to stock up on household supplies and no doubt, will find other things we don't even know we need.

Meanwhile, it's time to climb those long stairs to our bedroom. Tomorrow will be a long one in Title Town.

I'll be back as the kindergarten cop on Monday. Until then, we're going to enjoy the weekend.

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

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...

Don't see many of these anymore. Downtown Florence still has a working phone booth.