Tales from Pentoga

December 7, 2019 - Saturday morning

3 degrees/clear skies/calm winds

Pentoga Road

I've had more trouble this morning uploading pictures. Grrrrrr.

My old Macbook Pro is about pro'd out. It doesn't want to recognize the flash card from my camera any longer, so I decided to use the Chromebook. It works, just not nearly as well. I began writing at 6 this morning and since, have started a fire in the shop, walked three miles, moved some snow, and sipped copious amounts of coffee while the pictures uploaded. They are FINALLY ready.

I rode with Sargie to Norway, Michigan, yesterday for an appointment. While she was occupied elsewhere, I made my way to the local hardware store that is changing hands and having a huge sale with everything marked down 70%.

Sargie has taught me the art of clearance shopping and I filled a large bag of shop goodies, things I actually use on a regular basis, for under $40.

As I was walking out of the store, I noticed three cabinets sitting in a corner. I asked the cashier if those were for sale. He indicated they were at the same discount, 70% off.

A clerk came along and we began wheeling and dealing. He asked how much I was willing to pay.

I told him a buck thirty-nine.

He laughed. I laughed. He said he wanted $100 for the three cabinets.

I told him I'd give him $50.

He said he'd let them go for $75.

I said, "DEAL!"

Getting the cabinets in the little Kia was no easy task.

In the end, they fit, two laying in the back seat and the larger one in the trunk.

Coming home, I saw where some idiot had pulled his sled out onto one of our neighboring lakes to go ice fishing.

I'm a brave soul and love to ice fish, but Mama didn't have no complete dummy. Most of our area lakes were open just a couple of weeks ago and heavy snow has fallen since, insulating the ice from the cold and pushing it further down into the water.

I couldn't see where there was a black gaping hole in the ice so evidently he made out and back.

I spent most the afternoon working on the drive and deck. Simply put, there's snow everywhere.

Yooper Brother Mark says he's received well over three feet of snow already this winter. We're right up there with him and there's another major winter storm forecast for this coming Monday. The weatherman mentioned that we could get another foot or more.

It's still early in the year, but I began taking snow off the roof of the barn and front porch Friday afternoon. If we have this much now and get several more feet in the coming winter months, area structures could once again be in real trouble.

I need to do a bit of repair work on the handle of my extra long roof rake

Sargie continued decorating the house while I was outside. At one point, I met her bringing a load of boxes and a couple of chairs out to the storage shed.

Though we're both having a difficult time getting into the Christmas spirit this year, my bride has the house looking beautiful.

She continued working on Mom's Christmas village. It's definitely the focal point of the dining room.

Sargie also set up the small Christmas tree I bought Mom years ago. Flying to Florida from the arctic during the holiday season, I noticed Mom wasn't decorating her house. Dad had passed away six months previous and she said she wasn't in the mood to decorate without Dad.

I bought her a small tree and until recent years, she used it every Christmas, just as we will in years to come.

The tree will remind us of all the good times we had each and every Christmas season while Mom was with us.

Sargie and I also put up a string of white lights along the front porch railing. I THINK our outdoor decor is complete for the year. At least I hope so!

Last night was spent playing a game of rummy while sitting in front of the wood stove. As usual, Sargie put on clinic. That's okay, we laughed and had a good time.

Sargie's heading over to sister, Trish's, house in Felch today for her annual Milligan sister Christmas tea. I've already warmed the shop and will be hanging the new cabinets.