Sargie just gave Larry the Heavy Equipment Guy a cold bottle of water. 

June 20, 2020 - Saturday morning
62 degrees/rain/calm winds
Pentoga Road

It was a wonderful, lazy, fun, birthday that I enjoyed on Friday. 



Sargie gave me some wonderful gifts including a GoPro camera. I played with the thing off and on all day, learning the ins and outs of today's modern technology. 

I had the hardest time keeping my fingers out of the way. Made to be fastened to a part of the body or helmet, I used it as a regular camera, both video and still. 



The day began with the usual walk. Meeting Tim and Rose partway to Pentoga, we caught up on the weekly news in each other's lives. Gabbing and laughing, Rose let out a holler.

We'd almost walked into a large snapping turtle that was laying her eggs alongside of the dirt road.

None of us were concerned for ourselves, but if Gretta the pup had stuck her face in front of that snapper, she'd still be wearing a turtle for a nose ring.

Back home, Sargie showered me with presents. I received everything from the camera to a new pair of shoes, stencils, and onto a set of commercial push sticks to be used when ripping wood on the table saw. How that girl knows what I need in the shop is beyond me, but she does. 

Larry the Heavy Equipment Guy finished removing the last of the boulders and landscaping Friday afternoon. He dug around ten dump truck loads of boulders from the  property this past week, some weighing tons.

Rose and Tim stopped by to get some plants that I'd offered them previously. Thankfully, they arrived home and got everything planted before the rains came.

And rain it did! Sorely in need of a good shower, Mother Nature dropped almost an inch of water in about twenty minutes. 

Thankfully, it doesn't appear too much was wasted as most soaked right into the ground.

I talked with all four of my sons at length yesterday, all who called to wish me a happy birthday. Macrea and Hambone sent me a singing video and I talked in person to them and Mel later on in the day, Holly and Ross, Jeanne and Boyd, and Nancy, all sang to me over the phone, and I heard from Sargie's son, Shea. Sarah texted from Wyoming, Aunt Joanne from Georgia, and Norriene and Big Jim wrote from Pennsylvania. Miss Jody, Mississippi Brother Garry, Abby June Bug, Madeline, Monkey Boy, James, Kari, Tommy, and Kevin, called via Facetime, and sang to me. Of course, Yooper Brother Mark and Sheri called. I also received multiple cards and singing telegrams via the internet.

Oh, and Jambo and Germaine left the most unique birthday card. Ol' Jambo knows me well. I'll take a picture of it and put it on Sunday's blog. There's none other like it. 

If I left anyone out, I'm sorry. Believe me, I loved hearing from and talking with everyone yesterday.

I say this in all humility. A person can have many acquaintances in life, hundreds, maybe thousands, but to have so many loving friends and family, both near and far... well, it doesn't get any better than that. 

A beautiful and loving bride, sons, all grown men with their own families, who remember their dad, grandbabies, Sargie's family, friends... I'm the luckiest man I know.

I love you all too. Thank you.

Sargie spent time in the kitchen making the most wonderful apple birthday cake. Made from fresh apples and a yellow cake mix, it tastes like a homemade apple pie and cake combined. 

My bride had purchased a huge New York Strip steak for my birthday meal plus an entire school of giant shrimp. Steak not being her favorite food, Sargie was happy to feast on shrimp. Last night's dinner for me was surf and turf, all prepared on the grill.

Needless to say, Tommy P fell asleep with a full belly while watching tv last evening and finally stumbled up the stairs to the bedroom where he slept like a baby.

We're heading over to Taylor and Nicki's in Foster City this afternoon for a random Milligan summer gathering. Other than that, I think I'll put on my rain gear and go for my morning stroll.

Otherwise, who knows, but then, who cares?

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

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...

I had to try the fish eye/wide angle option on the GoPro camera