January 1, 2020 - Wednesday morning

0 degrees/clear skies/calm winds

Pentoga Road

Happy New Year! By golly, it wasn't that long ago we were celebrating the new millennium. Now, twenty years later, we're entering our third decade. 

I was going to try to do the New Year's resolution thing, you know, turn over a new leaf and lead a better, healthier life, and all that good stuff, but my past track record is pretty lousy. 

I've made and kept only one New Year's resolution in my life, but it was a big one. We were at a New Year's Eve party when, after consuming copious amounts of liquid refreshment, EVERYONE was jokingly announcing their resolutions.

It came my turn and having failed multiple times, I announced I was going to finally quit smoking for good. At that time, most of our friends still smoked, so I went around the room giving out my remaining cigarettes, save two. 

Those were for the ride home, one for my, now, ex wife, the other for me.

I woke the next morning with the hangover from hell and the vague memory of a promise to quit. When asked what we'd do since I'd given out all our cigarettes, I replied, "I guess we'll quit."

I haven't had a cigarette since. 

Well, shoot, I gave up smoking decades ago and haven't touched alcohol in almost that long. I've even cut back on the amount of coffee consumed each morning. 

I could eat healthier, but a person has to have at least one sinful vice. I don't think an occasional meal of fried something is too much to ask. 

Nope, I'm not going to make any New Year's resolutions this year. With Sargie at my side, I have a wonderful, active, life.

As Dad was fond of saying, "If it ain't broke, why fix it?"

Tuesday was another mellow day on Pentoga Road. Hambone and I took Sargie to work at the eye clinic as Pentoga Road had yet to be plowed. Shifting into four wheel drive, the old Blazer tracked through the deep snow with no problem.

Back home, at Grady's request, I made pancakes. The delicate little boy ate three good sized ones. 

We hung out the rest of the morning. I read while he either watched cartoons or played a game on the computer. We had a couple of wrestling matches and some good, old fashioned Pawpaw/Hambone fun.

The boy is growing up too fast and I can already see the time when he'll opt to be with his friends or be too busy elsewhere to spend much time with his grandparents on Pentoga Road. 

I've been there/done that and have learned to enjoy these times now before he gets too much older.

After picking up Grandma Sargie at noon, we got Sargie's Coke, then came back home.

Grandma and Hambone had some Tuesday afternoon quality time together.  

Sargie taught Grady his daddy's telephone number (in case of emergency) and even how to write it down.

While they were doing their thing, I plowed the drive again then strapped on my hikers and trekked to Pentoga Village and back.

We met Mel and Macrea halfway to Iron Mountain just before sundown for the Hambone exchange.

Last evening was spent being the wild, out of control, party animals that we know how to be. We fried fish, shrimp, and French fries, watched television, and were in bed shortly after 10 PM. 

I'm assuming 2020 arrived at midnight. 

Today. Hmm, well, I'm going to walk around the block, 7.5 miles, this morning in celebration of the new year. I have no idea what the rest of the day will bring, but I think we're getting closer to putting away the Christmas decorations. 



Other than that, who knows. Who cares? 

Like I said, I live a wonderful life. I'll worry about what we're going to do later on today when the time comes.

Now these are REAL winter apples! Think they're ripe yet?

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

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...

With temperatures in the low teens and a stiff north wind blowing, Grandma Sargie was a bit cold during the Hambone exchange last night. The nippy air didn't seem to be bothering Grady.