Grandma and Grandpa Yooper Brother Mark and Sheri took Isabella fishing at the trout hatchery Saturday morning.

July 12, 2020 - Sunday morning

49 degrees/clear skies/calm winds

Pentoga Road

The last I heard, Isabella told her mommy, Grandma, and Grandpa, that she wanted to take her catch home to her daddy. I added to the group text, saying that I thought that would be a good idea. Why not put them in her suitcase as a surprise for Daddy? 

Isn't that what Uncle Toms are for, to encourage the giving nature of a five year old? I also think Grandpa should buy her a drum set so she can enhance her rhythmic abilities while visiting. 

How about getting her a bunny rabbit too? We want the girl to be well rounded.

Ah, it's good to be Uncle Tom. 

My Saturday morning walk began earlier than usual. I met Tim a mile down the road and we had a pleasant stroll while catching up on the news from this past week.

Another variety of wild flower growing alongside Pentoga Road

I worked the rest of Saturday morning, part of the afternoon, and most of the evening finishing the underside of the garden house fascia.

Thankfully, there was enough leftover siding to do the job.

An epic battle raged during the installation. Seems the yellow jackets that had made a nest inside the soffit didn't like having the entrance covered over.

I didn't mind them buzzing around my head as I worked, but I sure as heck resented the sting I received on the inside of my right arm. 

The little b*&^#*(^ wanted war? Bring 'er awn.

All I could find for a weapon was a can of outside flying insect spray meant for mosquitoes. I held the nozzle up the entrance and gave them a blast from yellow jacket hell.  That certainly slowed them down, but didn't stop the angry flying beasts.

I felt like a lisping flower with a limp wrist and light of foot fighting a pen full of blood thirsty pit bulls.

I swatted, ducked, and swore, for the rest of the day until a can of wasp/hornet spray was purchased later, ensuring I came out on the winning side. 

Move over Patten, Pentoga Road has a new general.

The scene of the battle. That pretty white underside came at a cost.

Tired of continually looking up while working overhead and needing ammo to finish off the yellow jackets, we drove to Iron Mountain to purchase what was needed for the rest of the trim.

Amazing how many boards can be fit into a Hyundai with the back seats folded down. In our case, it was eighteen boards. Four were six feet long, the rest measured eight feet.

Back home, Sargie began painting the front storm door of our home as I continued waging the yellow jacket war and working on the garden house.

Much like Margaret "Hot Lips" Houlihan, Sargie supported me from behind the lines.

 The girl worked much of the evening painting the door a gorgeous antique red with just a hint of brown. 

One of Sargie's favorite variety of flowers is the day lily. Hers are just beginning to bloom and with the recent rain, are beautiful. 

I'm going for an early morning walk so I can get to work on the last of the trim. It's my intention that, with the exception of the cupola, the garden house will be finished and painted by the end of this coming week.

The pond is finally settling and becoming more clear after the hot weather of the past two weeks coupled with the heavy five inch rainfall of three days ago.

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

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...