Hanging fruit on the Wolf River apple tree

August 7, 2020 - Friday evening

70 degrees/clear skies/calm winds

Pentoga Road

It's been another beautiful day on Pentoga Road. With temperatures approaching 75 degrees, the humidity was low and occasionally, when the sun was hidden by the clouds, it felt almost chilly.

The day began with my usual trek with Tim and I was back home shortly after 8 AM.

I spent time in the garden where the first cucumbers of the year were picked. Unfortunately, germination was so poor this past spring that though we'll have enough cukes to eat fresh, we won't have the number we normally pick.

Sargie and I have been purchasing solar lit pavers for the past several years. Our plan is to either use them to outline the pond or make a lighted walk in the garden area.

I lay the pavers in the sun to charge with thoughts of installing them this weekend.

Tim, the grandbabies, and the guys, returned the kayaks. Sargie and I spent time with Autumn and Jace as they chased frogs around the edge of the pond.

The intake pipes that run through the gravel filters needed rewrapping just before they entered the pump. Knowing the water wasn't going to get any warmer in the days to come, I took a big breath and dove into the pond. Minutes later, I was wrapping plastic around the four inch perforated pipes.

Sargie stood on the shore handing me what was needed, one piece at a time. Finally, the pipe was wrapped and the pump restarted. The water began clearing by early this afternoon.

Sargie left soon after for a family gathering at niece, Lisa's, about an hour away. I opted to remain at home and use the time to catch up on a maintenance chore that has, thus far, been ignored this summer.

A limb fell and hit the roof of the red woodshed at some point last winter poking a hole in the roof along with a healthy leak. I didn't discover the damage until some of the wood under the shingles had rotted.

My initial thought was to replace the roof yet this summer, but that would mean another project. Honestly, I'm about project'd out, but something had to be done.

First, I made a temporary repair from the inside. Placing treated plywood against the underneath side of the roof, 2x4's were nailed between the studs making the roof once again solid and firm.

With a solid roof to work with, rolled roofing was placed overhead, stapled and nailed into place, and finally, the edges and nails sealed with roofing tar.

I trimmed any branches from a nearby tree that could brush against the roof. The fix should repel water and snow and ought to last until next summer when it will be permanently repaired.

The rest of the day was spent in the shop. The two wooden names were finished and will be given to my two newest munchkin friends tomorrow.

I finished the day working on my multi year project, the pig. I've been carving and sanding the hollow porker for almost four years. Someday, I may actually finish and he'll be an honest to goodness piggy bank.

Sargie arrived home early this evening filled with lots of stories and happy memories of her day. 

I'll go for my usual walk Saturday morning. Weather permitting, I hope to return home and begin installing the solar pavers. Otherwise, I'll leave the rest up to Sargie.

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

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...