Swan Lake in Sitka, Alaska

February 29, 2020 - Saturday morning

-4 degrees/clear skies/calm winds

Pentoga Road

What? No wind? After three days of nonstop howling, it seems there's nary a breeze this morning. Who cares about the temperature as long as the wind has subsided!

There's little to write about today and it just occurred to me that I didn't take the camera from my pocket once yesterday. With that in mind, I decided to share an entry I wrote in the early 2000's while on my way to Sitka from O'hare Airport in Chicago. The entry begins at security bright and early one morning:

.... my banjo strapped to my back in its soft case, my briefcase slung over my shoulder, I made my way through security, not beeping once. I had the feeling it was going to be a good day. To make matters even better, I found my gate and was delighted to see a coffee vendor a few feet away.

Life was good!

6:55 AM

Written while 35,000 feet in the air somewhere between Chicago and Seattle

The passengers were boarding. I was sitting in window seat 11F watching other passengers find their's when two ENORMOUS people approached brushing others out of their way, even knocking some over in their seats. They were a perfectly matched pair and reminded me of Dweedle Dee and Dweedle Dum.

Oh dear Lord Baby Jesus, say it isn't so.

When it comes to row sharing on a long flight, big people migrate to me like flies to roadkill on a hot August afternoon.

If I looked down and pretended to read, maybe,  they'd walk past. Yeah, that was it. 

I tried to pretend that I was interested in a $600 set of hand towels from Skyways Magazine. Perhaps the $300 manicure set?

Still, I couldn't help but occasionally glance up as they made their way down the main aisle, prying themselves from one row to the other. It was like watching my own impending doom coming closer and closer, observing one's life clock counting down to the moment of demise. I had a feeling mine was on the final ten seconds. 

Sure enough, they turned left at row 11.

The female of the Dweedle Dee and Dweedle Dum duo bulled her way into the row, reached down without saying a word and slapped my arm rest up between the back of the seats, then came crashing down to earth, wedging me against the wall of the aircraft.

I attempted to turn one way or the other to make more room and found myself firmly stuck in place.

Dee's husband, Dum, then zeroed in and literally fell into the adjoining seat, his flailing arm hitting the passenger's head sitting in front and almost knocking her to the floor. When Dum plopped, he knocked Dee over which caused me to become even more wedged against the side of the aircraft.

It was obvious the arrangement wasn't going to work. Dum had claimed Dee's seat and Dee was taking mine by eminent domain. I was turned sideways, facing towards the middle of the aircraft. My right leg was wedged tightly under the seat in front, my other stuck somewhere deep in the mountainous folds of Dee.

"Hey, Ma'am," I said, "We've got to do something here. It's a four hour flight to Seattle and I can't feel my legs or half my body."

She exhaled loudly, snorted a few times, then croaked, "You think it's bad, try being me."

"I think I've become a part of you," I quipped. 

I chuckled. She didn't.

I desperately needed to get my leg out from under her. No matter how obvious the efforts became, she refused to budge. I thought about chewing my lower limb off, much like a coyote hopelessly caught in the jaws of a trap, but quickly rejected that notion. As a traveling professor, I needed both legs.

Onto Plan B:

It dawned on me that if I could reclaim the arm rest that was supposed to separate us, my (now numb) leg might be returned to its rightful owner.

I desperately needed separation before gangrene set in. The Berlin Wall came to mind.

I took a giant breath, silently counted to three, then attempted to situate my body so I might face the front of the airplane.

I remained glued to her side, my nose a mere inch from her head. I quickly dismissed the temptation to blow air bubbles, much like one does on a baby's belly and make motor boat sounds against her neck.

"Ma'am, now really," I said, "I can't ride this way for four hours. PLEASE, I paid for this seat."

She looked at me, sneered and blew bad breath in my face. "Yeah? I paid for mine too."

It all happened like a tornado blowing through Kansas. 

I don't get mad easily, but when I do, I can become downright ugly.

I wasn't mad. No damn it, I became livid. 

With one leg completely numb and my life blood draining before my eyes, reclaiming the armrest became the most important thing in the world. I wanted my armrest. I wanted my seat. I wanted my life back.

*To be continued on Sunday*

The manuscript is real, but a little rough. I've had numerous requests to include old Alaska blogs, so as I'll try to do just that while doing my research. Between hard drives, CD's, and printed paper, there are tens of thousands of pages, pictures, and files, to sort through. I'll occasionally share them as time goes along.

OK, today's a seven miler. The weather is perfect and it's time to lace up my hikers and get going.

"These boots are made for walkin', that's what they're gonna do..."

Yeah, well, it was there for free. Nancy Sinatra I ain't.

Almost all of the graduate classes I taught were done remotely via video. I could be anywhere in the world and as long as I had a decent internet connection, I could conduct my classes. The students were usually on campus in Fairbanks, Anchorage, or Juneau. Often, I was in the most northern and remote reaches of the arctic using internet satellite.

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

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...

A nice red snapper, a "yellow eye"

Wind? We about got blown away on Thursday.

February 28, 2020 - Friday

4 degrees/clear skies/breezy

Pentoga Road

The temperatures were miserable and the wind howled yesterday, but thankfully, we missed the heavy snow that fell to the north. Schools are closed all around us, but we escaped the late winter wrath that plagued our neighbors. Believe me, plenty fell earlier this winter.

Though the days are getting longer and often warmer, these cold snaps are growing tiresome. Other than the very heavy snow earlier in the season, this winter hasn't been too bad. 

I'm hoping for warm and dry weather in southern Mississippi in the next couple of weeks so I can help Mississippi Brother Garry plant his garden. I'm looking forward to feeling some honest-go-goodness dirt between my toes, that that isn't snow covered or frozen.

Thanks to Norriene and Big Jim for sending this along from their sunny and warm confines in Florida.

My seven mile stroll yesterday was a cool one. I was able to escape the wind for part of it, but when I hit the two mile stretch facing north, all I could do was bend over into the wind and tough it out. 

Back home, I either worked on the computer or played with the pup. Sadie's a typical four month old puppy in many ways. She's either going a hundred miles per hour or not at all. 

At one point yesterday, while playing fetch, she was galloping back to me, ears flopping, all gangly legs, when she suddenly flopped down and went to sleep.

That's a lot of dog for four months old.
My expectations are high and more than once, I've had to stop and remember that she's a puppy, a young one at that.

Sadie's training is progressing nicely. She no longer jumps on the couch, quickly sits on command, is jumping less on people when she's excited, and, I believe, has quit trying to graze off the kitchen counters.

I don't like an animal around any cooking or dining areas, let alone one that thinks she should jump up on her two hind legs and grab a quick snack of the counter. Sadie's been a pro at sneaking into the kitchen and when we caught her, it was usually too late. 

What to do? 

Well, I THINK her counter grazing days are finished. There's more than one way to catch a mouse... or to cure a pup of counter grazing.

 Sadie hasn't offered to inspect the counters since her traumatic experience late yesterday afternoon. Hopefully, we can chalk that lesson off our What Sadie Needs to Learn list.

Let's see, I think I mentioned in yesterday's blathering that I got the laser printer working via India. For a while, I thought I might have to take both computer and printer to my buddy, Freddie, a computer guru, who lives just down the road from Mississippi Brother Garry and Miss Jody. Thankfully, I won't have to.

Sargie had a good afternoon at the eye clinic. She worked with her replacement, Arlene. It was almost closing time when I received the following photo.

Hmm, and I thought they were working.

Cutie Pies, both of them!
Actually, that's an app that Arlene used to dress up what would, otherwise, be a selfie.

I worked on a manuscript for most the afternoon. FINALLY, after years and years of serious thought and contemplation, a format is beginning to take place. The book will be about Alaska, but won't be ready for editing until a year or more after I hike the AT. The two will be intertwined in some fashion.

Sargie made mention that she'd like to go to Iron Mountain today, something about a Christopher Banks $10 coupon. I'll make my way to either Tractor Supply or Home Depot while she's shopping for girl stuff.

Meanwhile, it's time to head out the door and walk a quick three miles.

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

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...

Today's random Alaska picture:
An early morning arctic sunrise in the Brooks Range

What I really need is another computer

 February 27, 2020 - Thursday morning
11 degrees/cloudy/windy
Pentoga Road

I'm running late this morning. Remaining in bed beyond 6:30 didn't help, then getting involved with my new printer and computer only prolonged the situation. 

Wednesday morning was spent chatting (online) with an HP tech from India who was trying to help me set up my new laser printer.

Laser, you ask? I thought those were reserved for only the big boys.

Well, usually they are, except I found this baby at Walmart the other day for an unheard of clearance price of $35. I've been looking at them for sometime, one that could be kept in the shop and used for printing and/or transferring patterns. Though it only prints black and white, the size of the machine was perfect and I don't need it to copy pictures.

I soon understood why my newfound bargain was on clearance. The software for the thing wasn't perfected. After two hours on the internet with tech support in India, we lost internet connection. Thankfully, the man said he'd send me the driver firmware that was needed and it arrived during the night sometime. I installed it this morning and presto/whamo, I have a working laser printer!

Thank you Mr. Tech Man from India!

While in a working window, the tech could only write out what he wanted me to do over my work. He could see my screen and following his hand written instructions, I was able to do the actual work.
Here, he's telling me to go to HP Smart, an online setup program.

 With lake effect snow occasionally pounding down, I wasn't in any hurry to take my usual walk. I either played on the computer all day or transferred pictures and information onto my new machine or to an external hard drive.

We should be arriving at Mississippi Brother Garry's and Miss Jody's a week from today. Forecast high? 69 DEGREES!

Sadie is doing well and settling into our routine. She's found that what may be allowed at home doesn't fly on Pentoga Road. The pup just needs a bit of firm love and guidance. There's hope for that rag muffin of a dog.

Sargie is filling in for a couple of hours this afternoon at the eye clinic in Crystal Falls. She's looking forward to touching base and as with my occasional substitute teaching, allows her to keep touch with the eye care profession in which she worked for so many years.

Sadie and I have no plans for today other than to just hang out. I'd like to do some writing and am considering beginning work on another segmented dog, similar to the ones I've done in the past. I just need to get out there and start a fire to warm the shop. 

On the other hand, there's nothing wrong with the fire in the wood stove across the room from me.

Lazy? I think so.

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

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...

Today's random Alaska picture
My beautiful live aboard pocket trawler, the Nimble Nomad
Here I'm navigating between an island and the base of a mountain in SE Alaska
I loved my boat and explored many of the waters around Baranof Island 

Macrea, Hambone, and Mel, all made it to Florida in good shape and will embark on their Disney adventure today.

February 26, 2020 - Wednesday

20 degrees/snow showers/breezy

Pentoga Road

We learned last night that the kids made it safe and sound to their Florida destination. I also heard that Hambone was like a fart in a hot greased skillet, but if you were five years old and about to enjoy a week at Disney World and surrounding venues, wouldn't you be the same?

Happy birthday to my little guy, Andy. Currently working off the coast of western Australia, he's busy advising the setting of anchors for oil rigs, all the while dodging an upcoming cyclone. One thing about my youngest son, he certainly leads anything but a boring life.

Happy birthday, Andy! Just be careful out there.

Now onto serious business, really serious. In fact, the following could be placed into the Deep Thought Category.

Can anyone, ANYONE, tell me why it takes a dog forever and a day to select a place to poo? I just came back into the house after taking Sadie out for her early morning constitution.

Our predawn conversation, held while she was still in her kennel, was fast and furious and I could almost hear her thoughts:

"Hurry... I gotta go. Hurry. Hurry. Hurry. Gotta go. Gotta go. Gotta go!"

The door to the kennel was opened and I was almost bowled over by the frantic pup. I managed to get one shoe on and did a one legged hop while frantically trying to put on the other. Giving up, I opted to slide my other foot into a house slipper. 

A coat? Who needs a coat when there's a pup in distress? Only partially dressed, wearing a shoe on one foot and a slipper on the other, the dog and I wedged ourselves in the door frame as we made a very uncoordinated exit. 

Together, we sprinted down the drive and across the road. The pup was straining at her leash in an attempt to arrive at her favorite potty place. This was serious business.

"Oh yeah. Oh yeah. Oh yeah... gotta poo, gotta poo."

I stood at the edge of the road holding the other end of a retractable twenty foot leash while she jumped up and over a snowbank and assumed the position. A pickup, one of only half a dozen vehicles to drive by in an entire day slowed down and the driver waved as he went past.

With no coat on and mismatched footwear, his smile turned into a laugh as he gave me the thumbs up before driving on. 

Smart aleck.

Sadie became even more frantic.

"Oops, not here. Can't go here."

What the *^$_??

I watched as the pup, obviously in distress, smelled one place, assumed the poo position, only to abandon it for another a few feet away.

"Oh, here's a good one. Here's a good one." *Sniff Sniff* "Nope, not here. How about here?"

The goofy looking goldendoodle rejected fifty or a hundred places in the hardened snow, first sniffing, then turning around eight or ten times, before abandoning the potential sweet spot and striking out in search of a new one just a few feet away.

Thankfully, with snow coming down and a stiff northerly wind blowing, the pup finally found just the right place. She settled in, wiggled her rear a few times then looked at me as if saying that I shouldn't be watching her.

All turned out well and as of this particular moment, the ditch on the other side of Pentoga Road is a more fertile place.

Our trip to Iron Mountain was an uneventful one Tuesday morning. Sargie was made even more "purtified" at the beautician's while I ran a half dozen errands around town.

Back home, the Fed Ex man delivered my new/used computer. It's the exact replica of my old Macbook Pro and I couldn't be more delighted. Of course, it will be a day or two before everything is transferred from one to the other and the setup is complete. 

Jambo and I strolled to Pentoga Village. The boy's excited at the prospect of he and Germaine going to Florida for a week or two. About the only thing Jambo and I decided is that we'll meet back on Pentoga Road at the end of March or beginning of April to tap maple trees.

Sadie's being a good pup and well behaved, as well behaved as a four month old puppy can be. So far, she hasn't chewed anything of significance other than her chew toys. She's learned that dogs are not allowed on the furniture, that jumping up on a counter or a bed is a near death sentence, but is slow to understand that hopping up on two back legs to look out a window is also forbidden. 

She'll learn. Oh yes, by all that is holy, that four month old bag of rags will learn.

It's time to end and get the day started. I think I'll give Jambo a jingle and see if he's ready for our morning walk. Other than that, the sky's the limit.

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

So are the tales from Pentoga Road....

Today's random Alaska picture:
A successful beluga whale hunt in the far arctic
As a non native, I wasn't allowed to participate, only observe.

Sargie and I love to wander through graveyards, looking at head stones. We decided to wait for spring before reading these in the Hematite Cemetery outside of Amasa, Michigan, about twenty miles north of here.

February 25, 2020 - Tuesday morning

23 degrees/cloudy/calm winds

Pentoga Road

It's an exciting day on Pentoga Road. In a mere seven days, a week from today, we'll be departing for Laurel, Mississippi. Hambone, et. al. are to be back from Florida during the day and will pick up Sadie. After, we'll head the car south and drive a few hours before getting a room. 

Of course, Sargie wants to be "purtified" by having her hair done. That's on this morning's agenda in Iron Mountain. I've told her repeatedly that it's difficult to improve on what's already perfect, but she insists. 

We currently are caring for Sadie the Dog. Meeting Macrea halfway last night, we loaded the pup, food, toys, and kennel into the Kia (having to tie the lid of the hatchback down) and made our way home. Sadie's currently lying at my feet, happy to soak up the love.

I couldn't believe it. Stepping out on yesterday's seven and a half mile walk, I knew something was different. Just what was it?

Well, duh... the majority of snow and ice had melted the day before. For the first time since early November, I was walking on pavement.

Sargie and I worked for several hours yesterday on the drive and have the areas in front of the barn and garage cleared down to the pavement.

I'm not so sure we really cared about the ice and snow as much as we were looking for an excuse to be outside on a day where the wind was light and the temperatures were reaching towards fifty degrees.

It was time for our daily ride and Coke run. We ended up in Amasa, a beautiful little berg twenty miles to the north.

At one point, we managed to get ourselves almost lost, but managed to find out way out off the wood roads and back to civilization.

I worked for a bit on the air compressors in the barn and shop. Both needed maintenance, something that is best done in warmer weather.

 At one point, I heard Sargie call my name.

"LOOK," she said, as she pointed to a lone GREEN strawberry plant sticking out from the snow.

 Indeed, it was reason to celebrate.

Time to wrap this up and get moving. Jambo just texted and wants to walk to Pentoga and back this morning. If we hurry, we'll have just enough time before having to leave for Iron Mountain.

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

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...

Today's random Alaska picture
I was asked to conduct a Yupik choir at Napaskiak High School in southwest Alaska. It's a good thing we both read notes as I couldn't understand one word of Yupik they were singing.

All good things must come to an end, including the annual Mighty Milligan Big People Gathering for 2020.

February 24, 2020 - Monday morning

27 degrees/clear skies/calm winds

Pentoga Road

I'm in deep mourning this morning, not only because our Milligan weekend has come and gone for another year, but more so that my beloved, old, Macbook Pro has died. 

We've all suffered the loss of an inanimate object;  a pair of shoes, a favored piece of clothing? Maybe a tool, a kitchen appliance, or a car or truck that had become a part of one's life.

I know Mississippi Brother Garry suffered regret when he had to kiss Old Yellar, his beloved pick up truck, goodbye. We often teased each other about who had the ugliest truck.

In my case, I'm saying goodbye to the last vestiges of my Alaska teaching days. The computer wrote many a dissertation concerning Native learning styles, teacher education, and how many thousand blogs and pictures are stored on it's hard drive?

Unable and/or unwilling to spend over $2,000 for a new MacBook Pro, I've purchased a refurbished model with the exact same specs as the old one for a minute fraction of that price. No one wants a computer that's fifteen years old, regardless of what kind of shape it's in.

No one, except me.

My brand new/used, almost fifteen year old, refurbished (with a one year guarantee!) laptop is due to arrive on Wednesday. Until then, I'll limp by on my trusty, very inexpensive, but always dependable, Chromebook, the one used in the shop for patterns and such.

It's hard to put into words how much fun we had this past weekend. The family spent copious amounts of time sitting or swimming in 80 degree temperatures, just on the other side of the glass from several feet of snow on the northern banks of Lake Michigan.

I have stories to tell, many of them humorous, but I'm a mere neophyte when sitting beside my brother-in-law. A lifelong car salesman, he began relating true stories of his early sales days in Kansas City. We laughed, then we roared. At one point, I looked around the table and noticed Sargie, as well as others, were shedding tears of laughter. 

I don't care if I live to be a hundred, I'll remember some of those stories and even now, I'm smiling while I write. 

Fun. Just good, plain, old fashioned, no nonsense, fun. What a wonderful weekend.

As I said, all good things must come to an end. We arrived home shortly after noon on Sunday, but not before following a slowpoke driver for, what seemed like, thousands of miles.

Actually, we questioned whether the car ahead of us even had a driver. We couldn't see a head above the steering wheel.

Screaming along at a roaring 30 mph on a major highway, the car weaved from one side of the road to the other. We were well past Foster City, Sargie's hometown, before an opportunity presented itself to pass.

It was a little old man, looking through, rather than over the steering wheel. As we left him in our rear view mirror, we concluded he was either going to church or to a tavern. We never did find out which.

Sargie and I spent a very warm, very windy, afternoon working on the drive.

Our goal was to chip away at large areas of glacial-hard ice and snow to expose some of the blacktop to help with the melting process. Much of it was over four inches thick and hard as concrete.

With the temperature nearing fifty degrees, rivers of melt water were soon running down the drive. We aided their flow by building canals.

We worked almost all afternoon. After a late lunch break, I walked three miles and arrived home to find Sargie back outside digging and chipping away. I quickly joined her as we made some real progress.

Needless to say, there were two sore and tired kids on Pentoga Road last night. We climbed the steps well before our usual bedtime and quickly fell asleep.

I'm heading out the door fairly soon to step off a quick seven miles. The day is dawning clear, it's warm, and I'm eager to work off some of this past weekend's gluttony. No doubt, we'll work on the drive more today and I'd like to spend some time in the shop.

Mel and Macrea will be dropping off Sadie the dog later today. We'll be dog sitting for the next week while Hambone takes his parents to Florida and Disney World. 

Hard to believe that in a bit over a week, Sargie and I will be heading south on our first retirement journey to see Mississippi Brother Garry and Miss Jody. We'll be driving to Laurel, MS, then later, flying onto southern Texas to spend a few days with Yooper Brother Mark and Sheri at their timeshare before returning to Mississippi.

I feel like a little kid the week before Christmas. I wish it would hurry up and get here.

OK, enough dreaming. Time to strap on the hikers and put a mile or two under my feet before beginning the day.

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

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...

Sargie and sister, Nancy

February 23, 2020 - Sunday morning

27 degrees/sunny/calm winds

Pentoga Road

This is a speed blog this morning as I don't want to miss any of the last minute action down by the pool. Everyone's gathering for one last gab session before heading home. Sargie has our bags packed and putting everything in the car is all that needs to be done.

To say this weekend has been fun would be a vast understatement. We talked, shopped, sat, ate, laughed, swam, sat in the hot tub, ate some more, and I even sneaked in a short time of reading/napping. It's been wonderful.

The weather has been kind to us. Highs were near 40 on Saturday with plenty of sunshine. It appears today will be the same.

So, as I said, this is a short one. Time to sit around the pool one last time before hitting the road.

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

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...

Saturday morning's sunrise
The view from our room onto Lake Michigan

 February 22, 2020 - Saturday morning
18 degrees/sunny/calm winds
The Terrace - Escanaba, Michigan

It'a a short one this morning as the girls will be taking off fairly shortly for a day of shopping, while we guys will poke our heads in and out of various "guy-type" stores, then come back to the Terrace to sit around the pool for the day.

The Terrace is an interesting place. A stop for many of the big bands during the 30's and 40's, it has retained much of it's WWII flavor.

Until recently, the rooms were of the same vintage, but a recent remodeling project has seen many, including ours, updated.

The views from our room are nothing less than beautiful. We can sit and gaze out upon the northern shores of Lake Michigan.

The fishermen park on the ice by the resort, then make their way out, via snowmobile or four wheeler a mile or more onto the bay.

Eat? That's all we've done. I enjoyed a huge brisket sandwich yesterday at noon, a half rack of barbequed ribs last night at supper, and I'm looking forward to a big ol' New York Strip steak tonight. 

So with all that being said, it's time to get this day started. God help me if I miss a meal! As a good friend of mine once said,

"We're not here for a long time, we're here for a good time!"

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

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...

Sargie and sister, Nancy

February 21, 2020 - Friday morning

4 degrees ABOVE zero, clear skies/calm winds

Pentoga Road

I'm up bright and early in anticipation of a mid morning departure to Escanaba. Sargie and I, both, are excited for the coming Milligan Big People Weekend that is about to happen. We stay at a wonderful resort/hotel about an hour and a half away. It's located on the shores of Lake Michigan where we can sit inside by the pool or in the hot tub and watch the ice fisherman out on the bay.

Thursday dawned cold, very cold, and it remained that way all day. I didn't let that dampen my enthusiasm for hiking and still managed to put in seven and a half miles.

I've noticed one foot has been hurting a bit after my daily strolls. After inspecting the boot, I discovered why.

The problem has already been remedied by replacing the insole with a new one.

A bit of time was spent gluing back together a shadow box frog that I made sometime ago. Very simple to make, it has become something of conversation piece and was accidentally dropped. No need to worry. Thanks to the miracle of CA glue, Mr. Frog is back in one piece and almost as good as ever.

We received our first delivery of fuel oil in the past two years and was pleasantly surprised at the price.

Two years ago, we paid almost four dollars a gallon. I discovered yesterday that the price has dropped to nearly half that amount. It helped to make up for everything else that has skyrocketed in price this past year.

Sargie and I cleaned house yesterday afternoon while bee bopping to one song or the other. After, we watched a documentary on the Appalachian Trail. It let Sargie see some of the reasons why I want to hike it and some of the challenges I'll be in for.

Like I said, we'll be leaving here mid morning. Our first stop will be to meet everyone at the Buck Inn for a rib sandwich. After, we'll go onto the resort and let the weekend begin.

It's time to wake my bride and get this weekend started. 

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

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...

Sargie has taken over the wood hauling chores. Though I have told her I'm happy to do it, she almost insists that it's now her responsibility. I think she looks at it as her daily workout.