Occasionally I get lucky. 

That's a lake trout I landed Friday afternoon.

October 31, 2020 - Saturday

Halloween!

21 degrees/clear skies/calm winds

Pentoga Road

I occasionally like to stop at a lake or two during our daily rides to make a few casts. You just never know what surprises may lie beneath the surface. Yesterday's came in the form of a lake trout, somewhere in the fifteen to twenty pound range. For a bit, I could close my eyes and almost be back in Alaska. Fish this large aren't uncommon in the state I still call home.

It took some time to clean the trout, but eventually, it was wrapped in plastic and frozen. We'll eventually stuff it with onions, lemons, and oranges and wrap the body in bacon to enjoy at a later date.

Friday morning's walk was beautiful. We're finally getting a bit of a break from the clouds and sloppy conditions.

Feeling as though I was being watched while strolling through Pentoga Village, I finally spotted this doe hidden in the trees.

Once home, Sargie and I enjoyed a big breakfast before heading to town. I've seen lots of interesting things and people while waiting in the drive-thru at McDonalds for Sargie's Coke, but this gal hanging out the back window was a new one for me. Much like a dog, the adult remained half in/half out of the car for the entire length of the building.

I wanted to throw her a bone, but Sargie wouldn't let me.

Sargie and I remained busy throughout the day doing one thing or the other. I'd done a bit of research on the internet and read what size blade my new bandsaw required. While in town, we stopped at the hardware store where I found one like I'd ordered online and purchased it. I later learned it was the wrong length and when reading the owner's manual, found the information online was wrong.

Just goes to show that a person shouldn't believe everything he reads on the internet, including woodworking forums.

Sargie was busy throughout the day working around the yard, mostly prying even more rocks from the yard before hauling dirt to fill the holes. Though I tease her, there's little doubt that next summer, she'll have one of the best looking lawns around. 

The day turned out to be warm, in the upper 30's and sunny. My attentions turned from woodworking to mechanics as I decided to change the carburetor on the generator.

My BFF, Jimmy the Chickadee, was my constant companion as I worked. Sometimes he'd perch on my shoulder, other times he'd be happy to watch while sitting close by.

One thing's for certain, I don't do much of anything outdoors without Jimmy's company.

After installing the new carb, along with a spark plug and new filters, one pull on the starter saw the machine jump to life. We'll be ready should we lose our power this winter.

Jambo and his son, Dr. Paul, stopped by on their way into the woods bird hunting. The four of us had a good conversation catching up on life.

Matt, Em, Ben, and Wes, called to Facetime late in the afternoon and like everyone else, they wanted to see Jimmy. 

Today's high is forecast to reach into the mid forties. There are three or four small, dead, ash trees that should be cut and brought in for firewood. Otherwise, the sky's the limit.

After all, when one's retired, every day's a holiday, every meal's a feast.

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...

I was running my fur line in the shop and discovered this vole in one of the traps. It would take a lot of them to make a winter coat, eh?

The pumpkins of fall, the snow of winter, and the slush of spring.

Which is it?

October 30, 2020 - Friday morning

27 degrees/cloudy/calm winds

Pentoga Road

I just looked at the extended forecast and see that Carl's predicting THREE DAYS of temperatures in the 50's along with plenty of sunshine for next week. 

Yeah, sure, Carl. We've been down this road before, the one where you promise nice weather only to change your mind at the last minute. 

Thursday was a blah-type day. I hopped in the car and rode with Sargie several miles down the road and walked back home.

 Not your average taxi driver!

Sargie's dentist's appointment went well and I'm happy to say my bride has no cavities. I asked if she got a toy, perhaps a sticker, as a reward for a perfect check up. Instead, she got to buy a new electric toothbrush, one that warns her if she's pushing against her gums too hard. 

When Sargie does something, she does it 100%, including brushing her teeth.

I worked in the shop all day, mostly playing with various types of blades for the scroll and bandsaws. Reading extensively about which blades will do what, I've collected quite an array of them, some worthless, others quite useable. 

My latest acquisition is one for the 9 inch bandsaw, a very thin blade with lots of small teeth. Supposedly it will allow me to make very tight cuts without making a burr along the saw lines. This would be very beneficial when making puzzles as, at best, it's tedious work with a scroll saw and the up and down action tends to rip the picture from the backing.

My new blade will be here next Wednesday. Until then, I'll prepare the pictures by gluing them onto the backing for the puzzles and prepare everything except sawing.

I worked for quite a while on a large popple bowl. I noticed sometime back that the blank from which it was turned had developed a few hairline surface cracks which thankfully, didn't penetrate the walls. After a period sitting on a shelf to "cure," the cracks traveled no further and I turned the blank into a bowl.

The problem is, though the cracks have been glued and are no longer a threat to the integrity of the bowl, they can be seen.

I have this wild idea. It's kind of out there, but I've been known to be a loose canon, at least that's what Dad used to tell me. I'm thinking of painting the bowl. First would come a neutral base before adding a fall design using acrylics. A good sealer would follow. 

Though I enjoy it, I'm not much of an artist. Stay tuned on this one, it could get interesting, or be a total disaster. Either way, it's a project and as Jambo will tell you, I love a good project.

It's that time of year where the deer begin moving into the yard. I happened to glance out the window yesterday afternoon and saw this girl looking back at me.

Her buddy was grazing close to the garden by the electric fence and I was hoping she'd touch it with her nose. 

My deer ain't no dummies! She gingerly reached under the fence and carefully snatched a bite of greenery before slowly backing away.

Shea's really good to send pictures of Makenna. With the virus and all, we don't get to see her often, but we enjoy the pictures as we do of all the grandbabies.

Sargie asked Shea what size sleepers Makenna wears. 

His answer, "Newborn."

Born several months prematurely, our youngest grandbaby may be pint sized, but she's healthy as she can be.

Hey, how about this election coming up, eh? Good, bad, or ugly, let's get on with life. We'll just hope and pray the right side wins.

Both parties will tell you if their man doesn't win, we'll be in for a world of hurt. Simple deduction tells me we're going to be in for a world of hurt, regardless. 

Look how the virus panic caused the shortage of toilet paper and other goods. I can only imagine what political chaos would do. 

The Conservative prepper in me says to stock up. It could get ugly before it all blows over.

Today: It's to be another dreary one. I'm heading out the door at first light for my morning walk. I plan to be out in the shop working on any one of several projects and no doubt, Sargie and I will go for an afternoon ride.

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

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...

 I take my fishing rod in the back of the car when we go for our rides, often stopping to make the occasional cast into any one of the neighboring lakes. You never know what may be randomly swimming by at the moment.

October 29, 2020 - Thursday morning

33 degrees/snow flurries/calm winds

Pentoga Road

It's an early one this morning as Sargie has an 8 o'clock dentist's appointment for a cleaning and check up. 

Wednesday was a typical, cloudy, windy, blah, type of day. Most of it was spent in the shop making puzzles, working on bowls, or... hmm, I may have plopped in my recliner for a minute or two and "relaxed" just a bit.

I did take a mid morning break to enjoy a brunch of fried carrots from this summer's garden, cottage cheese with frozen garden blueberries, scrambled eggs, and bacon. Sargie and I got into the habit earlier this summer that rather than three meals a day, we'd have a large, late breakfast, then enjoy supper in the evening. I'm a very early morning person and usually have a banana or other fruit in the predawn hours. Sargie sleeps later and I'm often out the door walking or in the middle of a project before she's up for the day. By the time she's out of the shower and ready for the day ahead, or I am able to quit what I'm working on, it's mid morning or later.

No doubt, we'll go back to our three meal a day regimen at some point, but for now, we enjoy a large brunch.

Moving on, I've been asked several times how I make picture puzzles. Really, it's quite simple, but here's how I do it. I'm sure there are other methods that are better and more efficient, but hey, if it ain't broke, why fix it?

I begin by printing the picture. We have an Epson laser color printer, but a jet printer will work as well.

I use laminate flooring as a backer. New will work, but why waste all that money for something that will be covered in the end? Mine came out of a house in Crystal Falls several years ago.

I've found laminate flooring is much stronger than conventional lumber, something that's important when little hands are pushing on a mismatched piece in an attempt to make it fit.

Next comes applying spray adhesive. I let it dry for a bit before CAREFULLY pressing on the picture.

I don't use a pattern to cut the pieces and choose to randomly saw interlocking sections as I go. You don't ruin too many before you learn what NOT to do. It's just common sense.

Finally, the puzzle is assembled with a coat of poly sprayed over the top.

So there you have it. I'm finding blade selection on the scroll saw is important to alleviate burring the sides of the pieces and a poly finish is important to protect the glued paper. Hodge Podge can be applied but will pucker the paper if used before the poly is sprayed. 

I forgot about the "puckering effect" and messed up a couple of puzzles yesterday so will be redoing those in the days to come. With (around) fifteen to twenty more to make before Christmas, plus several bowls and other items, you know what my days will be like.

The last job yesterday was to clean out the trap under the bathroom sink. For anyone who's never done it, it's a thrill that words can't describe. Thankfully, that job is over for another year, give or take a month or two.

I'm going to have Sargie drop me off a few miles down the road on her way to the dentist this morning. Otherwise, it will be back to the shop, playing Santa's helper. 

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

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...

 The washer went out of balance, so with level in hand, I tilted one side off the floor while Sargie adjusted the leg underneath.

Yep, that's ice on the garden pond

October 28, 2020 - Tuesday morning

27 degrees/cloudy skies/windy

Pentoga Road

At least it's warmer this morning than yesterday at this time. We bottomed out at 8 degrees just before sunrise Tuesday morning. In comparison, if it weren't for the wind, this morning would seem almost balmy and tropical.

Let's see, in family pictures, I received this latest one of Makenna. She's sure a happy little girl.

Tuesday was a Jack of all trades day. My morning walk, though a bit nippy, was beautiful. I picked 'em up and threw 'em down to Pentoga Village, grateful to be active again after last week's trip.

Back home, there was a bit more work to do on the outside wood furnace before lighting a fire to warm the shop. I was happy when the temperature finally reached the point that the fan started, providing comfortable central heat.

Next came setting up the new 9 inch band saw. It's small and light enough that it sits perfectly on the end of the work table.

Of course, I had to test drive my newest shop acquisition and cut out a name for Makenna. I'll shape and carve it in the next few days and as with all the grandbabies, she'll have it to call her own.

Much of the afternoon was spent working on the ring bowl that is a laminated combination of pine and mahogany. 

I have a problem. It's narrow and long, enough so that I'm unable to reach far enough inside to sand the bottom walls. I'll wait to hear from my guru/mentor of all things bowls, Mississippi Brother Garry, before proceeding. He knows about these things. That's why he's the big brother. 

So the day went. Though it was pretty, the outside air was cold. The wind actually increased during the day to keep the wind chill near zero.

Sargie and I brought the squash from the barn to the basement Tuesday afternoon. In fact, my bride fixed spaghetti squash topped with her great homemade sauce for supper last night.

We stopped by a couple of the local lakes yesterday on our way home from town. What a difference a month makes. Most noticeable are the lack of tourists.

Sargie and I processed another load of apples yesterday afternoon. There are just enough for one more batch before putting that chore to rest for another year. I don't know how many quart bags we've dehydrated this fall, but I'll miss our kitchen smelling like one big apple pie.

Baring anything unforeseen, I think today should be a repeat of yesterday with a few exceptions. I HAVE to clean out the trap under the bathroom sink, my least favorite honey-do job. The new carburetor for the generator was delivered while we were gone and needs to be installed. Otherwise, it'll be back to the shop to begin cutting out puzzles for the grandbabies. Christmas will be here before I know it.

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

So are the tales from Pentoga Road... 

October 27, 2020 - Tuesday morning
12 degrees/clear/calm winds
Pentoga Road

What, no pictures today? 

Nope, never pulled the camera from my pocket once yesterday. 

We arrived home late Monday afternoon after a fun and casual drive from Eau Claire, Wisconsin, via Wausau in the north central part of the state. The morning was sunny and cold as we sang our way from west to east.

A stop was made in Wausau. My legs were crying for fresh blood to be pumped through each and as luck would have it, there was a TJ Maxx on the horizon. Sargie did a bit of shopping as I made the rounds of a local sporting goods store. I don't believe either of us bought anything, but it felt good to get out and walk around for a while.

Sargie asked to stop at the Dairy Queen in Eagle River, Wisconsin, where she treated us to hot fudge sundae malts to celebrate the end to a great vacation. It was fun and the past several days flew by.

With the car unloaded, Sargie unpacked everything while I started the fire and did all those things one does after he's been gone a few days. A deer was grazing in the garden and after a quick check of the electric fence, I found snow had covered the bottom wire causing a short in the entire system. That was soon fixed.

I fell asleep in my chair last evening and snoozed right up until bedtime. Dorothy was right as she clicked the heels of her red slippers together, there's no place like home.

A couple of honey-do jobs are on today's agenda, the first being to clean out the trap under the bathroom sink. 

Hmm, I wonder what the poor people will be up to?

I'd like to spend time in the shop setting up the new band saw, then there's the bowl already mounted in the lathe and several scroll saw pieces to begin. It's going to be a busy shop time from now until Christmas getting all the presents completed.

I made the mistake of stepping on the bathroom scales a bit ago. Seems all this good traveling and eating has added a couple of pounds around my waist. Time to cut back on the goodies and become active again. I'll start this morning at first daylight by resuming my walking routine.

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

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...

The bluffs along the Mississippi River east of Eau Claire, Wisconsin

October 26, 2020 - Monday morning (I think)

24 degrees/cloudy/breezy

Eau Claire, Wisconsin

Whew, I just brewed a cup of hotel room coffee, that prepackaged stuff, and let me tell you, it takes a manly man to drink it. 

Strong?

I feel as though someone just filled my tank with jet fuel and lit the afterburners. Sweat is pouring down my face and my ten digits are flying so fast that I'm certain letters are being lifted from the keys. 

I'm thinking that today's java might be better used as stripper for refinishing furniture. Knowing that, I hope to keep a bit of my body hair. The upside would be that I'll never have to shave again.

I'm a weak coffee drinker, a real light weight. Even my sons kick sand in my caffeine face when they visit. 

Being the long distance, marathon kind of guy, as in my drinking days, I swallow (not sip) coffee strictly for quantity, NOT quality. At most, I dump one scoop into the filter each morning before inhaling several cups while writing. Anything stronger upsets my stomach. 

Coffee snobs who insist on grinding their own beans of name brand, fair trade, java, then dump a concoction that makes it taste more like a chocolate milk shake with fifi whipped cream and other stuff... I kick caffeine sand in their faces.

As long as my brew has a tinge of color, is near boiling hot, and doesn't bite or give me any sass, I'll call it my morning delight and happily drink the stuff as I write.

We departed Williamsburg, Iowa, mid Sunday morning and made our way to the Amana Colonies.

There are seven old German colonies and all resemble the other. Large brick communal buildings mark each and though most are now private homes, we drove up and down several streets playing tourist, gawking, and taking pictures.

Our best discovery of the day was made well off the beaten path, an old Hutterite cemetery where it appears burials began in the early 1800's.

All the graves were laid out in neat rows and it appeared that even today, plots are placed by date of death, not in family units.

It was from the cemetery onto Amana Village, the community that has obviously transitioned to tourism. The village holds a huge German Oktoberfest yearly, but naturally, all of that was cancelled due to the Covid.

Still, the community was welcoming and open for business.

Our first stop was at Ronneburg Restaurant where home cooked meals are served family style with all the sides you can eat.

We enjoyed warm homemade bread, homemade cottage cheese, pickled beets, and locally brewed root beer and cream soda while waiting for our main course.

Already full from sampling the appetizers, we bellied up to a meal of frankenborgenschnitzellalablahblahblah.

In English, we'd call it a big ol', very tender, breaded pork chop with real, homemade mushroom gravy over real mashed potatoes, rather than those gobs of Elmer's Glue stuff made from flakes. There was sweet AND sour sauerkraut, steamed veggies, and other goodies too numerous to mention.

Homemade pie for dessert? Duh, what do you think? Sargie had German Chocolate pie. I took the high road and dove into a piece of five berry pie.

With the promise that we'd see our newest BFF, Annette, our server, next year, we waddled out of the restaurant and onto the street where Sargie found the Amana General Store.

Seems the general store wasn't so general after all. Inside were rooms and rooms, those that stretched for miles and miles, all filled with Christmas goodies as far as the eye could see.

Though I wasn't in the Christmas mood going in, I certainly was coming out. With soft Christmas music playing in the background by a German polka band, the rooms were magical as well as beautiful.

It was early afternoon before we bade the colonies goodbye and drove through northern Iowa. Light snow began falling as we neared the Minnesota border and increased substantially the further north we went.

Stopping for gas, I had to push hard on the door as ice had encased the entire side of the car.

Still, a Yooper northen gal and a northern Alaskan boy? 

Piece of cake.

Though driving wasn't pleasant, we arrived across the Mississippi River in Eau Claire without incident early last evening. A perfectly cooked Dominos pizza, delivered to our hotel room door, concluded another wonderful day.

On today's agenda, simply put, I don't know. We've talked of going north to Duluth, Minnesota, but it's cold and snowy up there. There's the option to go east across Wisconsin to shop at a mall in Steven's Point. Then we may just pack our bags and head back to Pentoga Road.

Put it this way, with all the caffeine pulsing through my veins, if Sargie doesn't awaken fairly soon, I may stick my head in the bedroom and yodel a tune or two... in falsetto, no less.

It's just the way I roll.

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

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...