Congratulations to my sister, Barb, for being nominated as Nurse of the Year by the healthcare corporation for which she works.

May 17, 2020 - Sunday morning

50 degrees/cloudy/breezy

Pentoga Road

I learned yesterday that after a long and distinguished career in nursing, Barb is being recognized for her contributions in the field of health care. As Director of Clinical Services, she oversees the nursing services (as well as other responsibilities) in multiple long term care homes throughout the Midwest.

Mom and Dad always told Barbara Ann and me that if we were going to do something, do it the best we could or don't do it at all, Half hearted measures weren't tolerated in our home. (Trust me, I had plenty of homework papers torn up and instructed to do over during my young scholastic years.)

Two and a half years my senior, B'ann (Dad's nickname for my sister) went after the nursing career with both barrels blazing. While most of our generation has retired, Barb has yet to slow down. 

I know Mom and Dad are looking down from above, bursting with pride. Her baby brother  shares their feelings.

Congratulations, Barb. You deserve the accolades. 

Page Two:

It appears Grady was gardening yesterday. Taking home the onion sets, chives, and strawberry plants, I'd given him to plant his own garden, Hambone was a busy boy.

Mama called at one point to clarify a few directions. She wanted to make certain Hambone remembered what Pawpaw had taught him.

The stakes and netting are to prevent grazing deer from demolishing the beds.

 Josh sent a few pictures yesterday. Avid mountain bikers, the family has been enjoying time on the trails.



Extremely athletic, it appears Wyatt has learned to ride equally well on one wheel.

I look at these photos and it's easy to remember my childhood of many decades ago when we didn't need television, the internet, or iPhones. The mere act of running and jumping and playing outside was entertainment enough.

Grandson, Cody, is getting some serious air

Page three:

Running and jumping aside, while walking around the yard at sunrise and having a good conversation with Baby Jesus yesterday morning, I was struck by the beauty of our meadows and woods. We have no mountains or rushing rivers, but I'm grateful that I'm old enough to realize how lucky Sargie and I are, to be able to enjoy this land we call Pentoga Road. 

Ten years ago, this was all brush and scrub trees and I was unable to see three feet beyond the  back yard that was the size of a postage stamp.

It was almost impossible to reach the rear of the property for all the boulders and that doesn't include the trash that had been discarded throughout the years.

I'm so thankful for that which Sargie and I have been bestowed. We not only have each other, we have a comfortable home and a few wonderful acres on which to live.

Page Four:

I pulled the trailer to Yooper Brother Mark's plant early Saturday morning and began filling it with next winter's firewood.



Though it's softwood, mostly popple, I can't refuse the offer of wood that fits perfectly into our small wood stove, is already cut, and if needed, is easy to split. 

So what if we have to fill the stove once every two hours rather than four? Heat is heat and thanks to Yooper Brother Mark's generosity, Sargie and I stay toasty warm all winter long.

The trailer filled, I stopped by Mark's for a short visit before coming home and working up the wood. The trailer was empty by midmorning and after brunch, Sargie and I drove back to the plant for another load.

Home once again, the trailer was emptied and the west wood shed filled by mid afternoon.

Page Five:

We were hot and tired and decided to take a break. Tim had texted saying they were waiting to take delivery of a new mower, so we decided to take a ride around the corner to see our friends.

Rose was digging irises from an old bed and Tim was mowing. We enjoyed a few minutes of conversation before coming back home.

Rose and Sargie
Bet you can't tell both had been outside working

Tim and Rose recently bought a beautiful barn home down the road and around the corner, a mile and a half away. The downstairs contains the kitchen area, garage, and all, and the upstairs houses the living area and bedrooms. The view from "the loft" (the living room) looks over a huge meadow and distant hills covered with maple trees. With a half rock covering on the lower outside, it's a gorgeous home that would make most country dwellers envious.

Tim

Greta, the Wonder Pup

Page Six:

The remainder of the afternoon was spent taking the root-bound dirt from the front planter.

Sargie had remarked last spring that the soil needed changing, but I poo poo'd the idea saying, "It'll be good for one more year."

As usual, I should have listened to Sargie. There was little soil left, only roots.

It was impossible to dig with a shovel, so we lifted the planter and set it to one side.

I used the tractor to cart away the contents and dumped it all in the woods.

I intend to salvage the octagonal planter. We like the design and I wouldn't look forward to making a hundred million, twenty two and a half degree cuts, those required to make a perfect octagon, again. 

 I'm hoping my friend, Becky, who manages the local Ready Mix plant (that also sells gravel, rocks, sand, and dirt) will call this coming week saying their top soil is screened and ready to purchase.

 Tim and Rose stopped by later in the afternoon to look at some pallet wood that I won't be using. They are going to make an accent wall in their kitchen using reclaimed wood. Seeing Tim's handiwork, I'd say it's going to be beautiful when finished.

Page Seven:

Mississippi Brother Garry sent a picture of a bowl he turned from the maple burl we carried down early last spring. As with almost everything Garry turns, it's beautiful, a true piece of art. The natural gaps and holes that were already in the burl only add to the bowl's visual appeal.

 We're about to lose the last frozen reminder of this past winter. Hard to believe the snow pictured below fell late last October. We won't miss it.

And finally, it's to rain later today and a good, soaking, shower would be welcome. Sargie and I could also use a break from our outdoor activities. Between the damage from the early winter's snow and the garden torn up from digging the pond last summer, it seems we've been burning the candle at both ends.

Yeah, a nice, easy, all day rain would bring a welcome respite.

Meanwhile, I'm going to head out to the shop and turn on the switch that powers that new lathe. It's time to play!!

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

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...

Today's random Alaska picture: Taken from a float plane on my way to Thorne Bay on the Prince of Wales Island.
In SE Alaska, there are several float houses scattered among the islands. Usually anchored and/or tied off from shore in a protected bay, some people live their entire lives completely surrounded by water. It looks ideal, but one of many problems occurs when an underlying pontoon becomes rusty or springs a leak. The fix requires hiring and flying/boating in a very expensive underwater welder/diver to patch the hole after which the water must be pumped out either from the topside or towing the house to shore and waiting for the tide to go out.
Me? I'd purchase a large boat on which to live. Any repair would require a dry dock and a much less expensive fix.